Why you should visit Guyana Kaieteur Falls (2022 Update)

Guyana Kaieteur Falls is the number one tourist attraction in this lush country. But what makes it so special? What are the reasons to visit Kaieteur Falls? 

This article has been updated in February 2022

Why visit Guyana Kaieteur Falls?

Deep within the Amazon Region lies the Kaieteur Falls. Watching a river plummet off the edge of a 250m cliff, blasting 1140 metric tons of water is as incredible as it sounds.

Guyana Kaieteur Falls are the world’s highest single-drop falls. Being able to see it with minimal tourists around, it is the off the beaten path adventure everyone is searching for. The size of the waterfall varies in the wet and dry seasons. Our visit here was during the dry season and we still found the waterfalls impressive.

You might have seen Niagara Falls or Iguazu Falls, but the lesser-known Kaieteur Falls in Guyana will quickly become your favourite. Taking into account its height and the sheer volume of water from the Potaru river, it makes for a truly epic sight!

The remote location and the journey to make it to the Kaieteur National Park on a chartered plane or on a 5-day trip is another reason to put this place on your bucket list. You will fly over the Amazon jungle and get to see the waterfall before you even land. So it’s a scenic flight and a visit as well.

If it wasn’t for the waterfall, the landscape in this part of Guyana would be a reason to come here alone. There is also the possibility of hiking for a few hours to the bottom of the river. If you are interested, do enquire at the time of booking as this would take an additional 3-4 hours.

Guyana Kaieteur Falls and the view of the Kaieteur National Park

Where does Guyana Kaieteur Falls name come from?

According to the legend told by Amerindians, the waterfall is named after an old man. This legendary old man was put on a boat by relatives. They were eager to get rid of him and pushed him into the river and over the edge into the waterfalls. Hence the current name translates to “old-man-fall”. Ask your Amerindian guide and decide for yourself if this is indeed just a legend behind Guyana Kaieteur Falls.

The journey to get to Guyana Kaieteur Falls is half the fun

Biodiversity at the Kaieteur National Park

The Kaieteur National Park is home to various unique wildlife species and your guide will tell you more about them. Most visitors are lucky enough to see the minuscule golden frog which is so small, that you would probably struggle to find it in the leaves of plants. We were lucky enough to have seen one on the day we visited. The other species is the beautiful scarlet cock-of-the-rock bird.

How to get to Guyana Kaieteur Falls?

There are multiple airlines that fly to the falls, but their schedule varies. You can also book your trip to Guyana Kaieteur Falls tours through a tour company that charters the plane for groups of 8-12 passengers.

Flights depart from Ogle Domestic airport in Georgetown and the journey takes about 60 minutes. Once you land at Kaieteur National Park, a local guide will meet you. He will then escort you for the next 2 hours to three different lookouts to see Guyana Kaieteur Falls. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Or your other option would be to travel inland from Georgetown. This takes approximately 5 days and is best arranged by a tour company as transport in Guyana is sparse. It would make reaching Guyana Kaieteur Falls a real adventure trip of a lifetime.

If you are looking for Guyana tours or planning a trip to Guyana with a tour company, you will find the list of Guyana tour operators here.

Related Post – How to book your trip to Kaieteur Falls.

Accommodation in Georgetown

Most people who plan to visit Kaieteur Falls will base themselves in the capital of Georgetown. This is what we did. We wanted somewhere clean, comfortable, affordable, and well located.

It’s hard to find much information on affordable accommodation options in Georgetown, however, we stayed at Rima Guesthouse and had a great stay.

Room rates start from US$30 p/night (single) or $40 (double) for a comfortable room and shared bathroom facilities. The guesthouse is in a great location and has some cheap places to eat nearby (which are very hard to come by here). The guesthouse is sparkling clean, a friendly family runs it and they offer a great daily lunch menu too.

A few mid-range hotel options that have fantastic reviews, location, and amenities are El Dorado Inn and King’s Hotel & Residences.

If you have the budget, you could stay at the Marriott Hotel Georgetown for a very comfortable stay indeed and a great place to relax before your flight to Guyana Kaieteur Falls.

CLICK HERE to check prices and availability for more hotels and guesthouses in Georgetown.

The Best Group Tour of Guyana

Interested in joining a group tour to visit Guyana? This 8 day Rupununi Savanna & Kaieteur Falls Adventure is awesome! Travel across incredible Guyana, taking in vibrant city and natural wonders from Georgetown City to the stunning Kaieteur water falls and to the Rupununi savanna’s. 

Travel Insurance for Guyana

If you’re planning to travel to Guyana, ensure you’re covered with the best travel insurance policy available. We recommend SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Travel Essentials for Guyana

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