Description
Caiman House Field Station and Guest House, centrally located in the Macushi village of Yupukari, is a nonprofit community-owned and operated social enterprise. Revenues from visitors, including a US-accredited Study Abroad semester, support the internet-enabled Yupukari Public Library and two conservation/research investigations, into the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) and the Yellow-Spotted Sidenecked River Turtle (Podocnemis uniphilis).
Featuring 6 charming and comfortable, handcrafted rooms with en suite bathrooms (and three additional rooms with shared bathrooms) Caiman House hosts up to 14 and also offers hammock or camping options for larger groups.
Guests are invited to explore the nocturnal life of the Rupununi River on our “Creatures of the Night” tour, with the chance to see boat-billed heron, Common Potoo, the Black Caiman, Amazon Tree Boas and other wildlife active at night on the river, or assist the local research team as they capture, mark and release black caiman.
Early-morning experiences include the legendary El Dorado savannah and wetlands via 4×4 vehicle to spot giant anteater, or paddling a dugout canoe on our Awarikru Adventure, where one may meet giant river otters, capuchin monkeys and a wide range of local birds, including white-banded swallow and green ibis. Avid birders often visit us to see the Crested Doradito, Agami Heron and Finsch’s Euphonia.
Additional experiences include hikes in the savannah “bush islands” and gallery forests; sunset floats to watch unfolding giant waterlilies, Wattled Jacana and Purple Gallinule; fishing in the river, ponds and lakes — bring your own gear, or learn local hand-line methods.
Guests often choose dry season (September to April) but visitors in rainy season are treated to spectacular flooded-forest excursions, shimmering savannah vistas and the range of seasonal avian visitors.
Caiman House is equipped with 100% solar power and internet 24hrs a day, safe drinking water, and a local team of hosts and guides. Caiman House links easily with visits to Karanambu (40 minutes overland from airstrip), Surama, Rewa, Nappi, Dadanawa, or as a start or end to more adventurous tours with Rupununi Trails or Rupununi River Drifters.
Caiman House Field Station and Lodge
Yupukari Village
Tel: 592 772 9291
rli.delenelawrence19@gmail.com
rli.fernando.li@gmail.com
info@rupununilearners.org
www.rupununilearners.org