Guyana is home to the
largest single drop waterfall in the world but that is not the only
waterfall in this South American country. So we provide you information on
not only Kaiteur Falls but also the other waterfalls in Guyana.
Kaieteur Falls in Guyana, small country in South America is one of the
most majestic spots on Earth. It also sports one other significant advantage - not many
people have heard of Kaieteur Falls. Make Kaieteur Falls your next vacation spot and you
will not only travel to see one of the most scenic waterfalls in the world, you will also
vacation at a place not known of by many people. Sure, there are things to do in Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico, but everyone and their cousin has already been there. I would bet my
Snickers King Size bar (can’t live without them) that your cousin has never heard of
Kaieteur Falls or Guyana for that matter. I am willing to bet that even you didn’t
know Guyana was in South America.
Kaieteur Falls Fact Sheet
If looking for new travel destinations you will find Kaieteur Falls located on the
Potaro River in the center of Guyana. Kaieteur Falls flow over a flat sandstone cliff and
then plunge down 226 meters (741 feet) making Kaieteur the largest single drop waterfall
in the world. Once the falls reach its first break, it continues to tumble over remarkably
beautiful rocks for another 25 meters (101 feet) for a total distance from top to bottom
of 251 meters (822 feet).
If size does matter to you Kaieteur Falls has a drop of over five times the size of
Niagara Falls and is twice as tall as
Victoria Falls in Africa (located on Zambezi River). Although Victoria and Kaieteur Falls
have similar local ecology the winner in both size and glory is Kaieteur.
Kaieteur Falls Flora and Fauna
Massive waterfalls are known for amazing flora and fauna. If all you want is water you
might not care but if unusual, interesting and bizarre are on your list of favorites try
Kaieteur Falls. Kaieteur Falls has Kaieteur Swifts (a type of bird) that are known for
being the fastest living creatures quite capable of capturing flying insects. These little
birds nest in the rocks behind the apparently impenetrable curtain of falling water. Many
endangered species feel at home in the Kaieteur National Park and it’s fun and easy
to observe them. Areas around Kaieteur Falls are especially designed to offer some great
viewing of animals, birds and exotic plants.
Getting to Kaieteur Falls
There is no word to define how remote Kaieteur Falls and Kaieteur National Park really
are. You have two choices for travel which is nice because it cuts down on decision
making.
Getting There by Plane:
Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, has an airport and you can hop on a small air craft. It
takes about and hour and offers an amazing bird’s eye view of the falls and the
surrounding are which is simply spectacular...
Getting There on Foot:
If flying is too easy you might opt for the long walk to Kaieteur Falls, but you better be
in pretty good shape for the stroll. It can take you 3 to 5 days to reach Kaieteur Falls.
The advantage is that you will see lots of virgin rain forest with many great sights
within Kaieteur National Park before you reach Kaieteur Falls.
While Kaieteur Falls is the most popular vacation spot in
Guyana, you’re still not likely to be overrun by crowds and your hiking partner
might be the only other person around if you go there during the week. During busier
seasons and on weekends you might run across another tourist who dared the wild hike or
flew over to see Kaieteur Falls. The entire area gives you the authentic wilderness
experience not often offered by more popular tourist destinations. It’s that
uniqueness and unsurpassed virgin beauty that would make it a trip of a lifetime.
--
For more information about Kaieteur with beautiful pictures of the falls visit
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana. This is just one
of many Vacation
Ideas presented to you by world renown photographer and
travel writer Mark Marek. Mark also writes about his travels throughout Cuba on Cuba Tourism
Mention
waterfalls in Guyana to any West Indian and immediately the name Kaituer
Falls is mentioned and certainly as the tallest single drop waterfall in the
world this is one of the great wonders of Guyana. However Kaituer Falls
is not the only waterfall in Guyana as the country has 276 waterfalls. This
article will look at some of these waterfalls.
Marshall Falls
is one waterfall that is fairly easy for anyone staying in the capital
Georgetown to visit. A minibus ride from Georgetown to the river town of
Parika and then a one hour boat ride across the Essequibo River to the
island town of Bartica and you are ready to begin your journey to Marshall
Falls. Just 35 minutes by boat from Bartica takes you to Marshall Falls on
the Mazaruni River
Kumarau Falls,
located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region is considered to be the sister waterfall
to Kaieteur. Its spectacular sheer drop of 620 feet and 200 feet width makes
it equal in aesthetic and scientific value to Kaietuer. On the sandstone
plateau near the falls lie typical floristic elements for the Guiana
highland region, including gaints bromlaids, Clusia orchids,
Stemnodendron,Utricularia and Xyris species.
Orinduik Falls
are usually included on any tour that visits Kaituer Falls. The Orinduik
Falls are really wide, multi-tiered series of cascades where the water of
the Ireng River flows over ledges of jasper.The water splashes pleasantly
down 25m (80ft) of rocks and ledges of jasper creating a natural jacuzzi.
It's a beautiful spot for rock climbing, a swim or a fresh-air cold shower.
Amaila Falls
is located on the Kuribrong River ( Potaro-Siparuni Region), a tributary of
the Potaro River in west central Guyana .The river drops from the escarpment
over Amaila Falls vertically approximately 200 feet, and continues in a
series of rapids and falls for almost two miles before reaching placid water
at an elevation of 175 feet. The total drop is about 1,200 feet. During the
course of the falls the river changes direction from east to north.
Kumarau Falls
is located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region and is considered to be the sister
waterfall to Kaieteur. Its spectacular sheer drop of 620 feet and 200
feet width makes it equal in aesthetic and scientific value to kaietuer. On
the sandstone plateau near the falls lie typical floristic elements for the
Guiana highland region, including gaints bromlaids, Clusia orchids,
Stemnodendron,Utricularia and Xyris species.
King George VI Falls
is also known as Salto Oshi, and is located on the
Oshi River
in eastern
Guyana.
Its height has often been reported to be 1,600 feet, but that is an error
and the actual height is closer to 541 feet or 160 meters. Alhough it is not
as tall as it has long been thought to be, its combination of height and
great volume of water, along with its being a sheer plunge, make it one of
the world's most impressive waterfalls and it rivals Kaieteur Fall in
splendour. Its location does however make it difficult to visit.
To learn more about Guyana see our other Guyana Pages
