Region: South America
Location: West bank of the Essequibo River, Iwokrama Forest, near Kurupukari, Guyana
Type: Ecolodge
Established: 1997 (as Iwokrama Field Station)
Accommodation inventory: 8 riverfront cabins (en-suite, solar-powered, wraparound verandahs); research building with 6 rooms; training building with 4 rooms; full camping facility at Turtle Mountain base
Connectivity: Limited internet access (available at the business centre; subject to technological constraints and not always guaranteed)
Access: Road or Air. Overland from Georgetown by private vehicle (approx. 5 hours) or public minivan; or scheduled/charter flight from Ogle to Fairview Airstrip (~440 USD per person), then 10-minute transfer to lodge
Best season: Year-round. Rainy season discounts (May 1 – Aug 31) for non-CARICOM citizens
Languages: English (Guyana’s official language; staff and guides)
Dining: Traditional Guyanese cuisine prepared fresh at the Fred Allicock Building. Meals charged separately (Breakfast $17 / Lunch $30 / Dinner $30 USD). Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Chef: Not a private-chef venue
Dietary: Special dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice
Conservation: Located within the 371,000-hectare Iwokrama Forest, one of only four pristine tropical rainforests remaining on Earth. Held the Good Travel Seal Certification since January 2023, renewed in 2026. Tourism revenues contribute directly to forest conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement. The forest is a living laboratory for sustainable development.
Community: Over 90% of staff come from nearby Indigenous communities, with more than half being women. Partnerships with more than 20 Indigenous communities. Supports youth wildlife clubs and the North Rupununi Wildlife Festival. Iwokrama was offered to the Commonwealth by Guyana in 1989 and formally established by the Iwokrama Act in 1996.
Notable Experiences
- Wildlife & Biodiversity: Jaguars (regularly seen on night drives), tapirs, giant armadillos, spider monkeys, red howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, ocelots, margays, fer-de-lance, emerald tree boas, poison dart frogs, 500+ bird species including harpy eagles and Guianan cock-of-the-rock
- Avian & Special Interest: 154-meter Canopy Walkway at 30 meters above ground with 4 observation platforms (located 90 minutes south at Atta Rainforest Lodge). Dawn chorus boat trips. Premier birding destination for the Guiana Shield.
- Adventure & Waterways: Guided nature walks, nocturnal wildlife spotting by boat and foot, river safaris at dawn and dusk, Turtle Mountain hike for panoramic forest views, fishing, visits to Kurupukari Falls and ancient Indigenous petroglyphs
- Cultural & Immersion: Walk in the footsteps of the Makushi people. Expert guidance from local Indigenous guides. Visits to ancient petroglyphs.
- Wellness & Luxury: Riverfront cabins with hammocks and wraparound verandahs. Bar and restaurant overlooking the Essequibo. Not a luxury property, but comfortable and well-equipped with solar power and en-suite facilities.
Important Visitor Notes
- The canopy walkway is at a separate site. The 154-meter canopy walkway is located at Atta Rainforest Lodge, approximately 90 minutes south of the River Lodge. Access typically requires an overnight stay at Atta. If the walkway is a priority, confirm logistics when booking.
- Pricing reflects the remote location. Iwokrama is a non-profit conservation organisation, not a commercial hotel. Transportation and meal costs are high because everything must be brought in over unpaved roads or by air. This is the reality of operating in one of the most remote accessible forests in the world.
- Meals are charged separately. Unlike many lodges, Iwokrama does not include meals in the nightly rate. Budget approximately $77 USD per person per day for meals (breakfast $17, lunch $30, dinner $30).
- Mandatory Conservation Fee: A $15 USD Iwokrama Forest Conservation User Fee is required per visit, covering your entire stay.
- Transportation is a significant cost. Overland by private vehicle is expensive ($945–$1,070 return for 1–6 persons). Public minivan is $180 per passenger. Air/ground combo is $440 per person one-way.
- Hot water is not guaranteed in all cabins. Recent reviews note that only one cabin (Mora Cabin) had reliable hot water.
- Electricity is solar-powered and available 24 hours, though some reviews mention no electricity after 10pm in certain cabins.
- Wi-Fi is limited and not always available.
Contact
Iwokrama River Lodge: iwokramariverlodge.com
Atta Rainforest Lodge: attalodge.com
Email: tourism@iwokrama.org · Phone: +592 691 2543
Coordinates: 4.671913960327428, -58.6847013421597