Natural wildlife is aplenty at the Ameridian community of Rupununi Savannas, a region located at the margins of Brazil and Guyana. Central to Rupununi’s lowland life are the ranches of the vaqueros or, cowboys, some of whom are descendants of 19th century Scottish settlers. Laid out along the Rupununi River, the region is dissected into parts by the Kanuku Mountains, a popular tourist destination for its diversity of life. Kanuku, which means "rich forest" is a bird sanctuary catering to 70 percent of Guyana’s bird species.
Even before reaching Kanuku, the desert-like plains of Rupununi already mesmerizes travelers with endless possibilities for snapping pictures of nature at its best. One eye-catching wonder that floats delicately in the caiman-filled river is the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily. Out here, tree-tops are filled with lemurs, monkeys and wild cats.
Rupununi’s principal town of Lethem, Dadanawa, lay just outside of Curatella and features “sandpaper” trees and tiny orchards. In Karanambu Ranch, widely-scattered ponds are where one may find scores of storks and other birds whose colors stir the imaginations of both tourists and locals alike. In Manari Ranch, numerous boat-billed herons, storks and large raptors circle the sky and makes for a wonderful bird-watching experience.
Rains accompanied by occasional flooding are common in the area, but in 1969, rebel ranchers launched a minor revolt through rain. The revolt however lasted only a few days and was quickly quelled by local police. The revolt is now commemorated in the region’s annual Easter rodeo.
