Fair View Village is a small Amerindian settlement which lies a few kilometers upriver from the Iwokrama River Lodge and is the only community located within the Iwokrama Forest. The hospitable residents of Fairview will gladly share their traditional Makushi culture and history with their guests. It was the Makushi that gave the world curare – one of the most widely used sources of muscle relaxant in the world. Then visit the nearby ancient petro glyphs. These stunning works of art are estimated to be over 6,000 years old and best seen during low-water season

At dawn you can take an early morning boat trip round Indian House Island. Keep an eye out for the butterflies, snakes and macaws as they come out to have “breakfast” on the edge of the island. This early morning trip also gives you a chance to hear the dawn songs of the five species of Tinamou, Marbled Wood-Quail, Band-Rumped Swift, White-Banded and Black-Collared Swallows and many more! At dawn you can take an early morning boat trip round Indian House Island. Ask your guide to show you the butterflies, snakes and macaws as they come out to have “breakfast” on the edge of the island.  

Explore one of the nearby wildlife trails near the Iwokrama River Lodge with an experienced Iwokrama Guide. You will see the Mora, Soft Wallaba and Wamara trees and may be able to view the Screaming Piha, the Grey Chinned Hermit, Gray Antbird, Chestnut Woodpecker, the Gray-winged Trumpeter, and the Black-necked Aracari Explore one of the nearby wildlife trails near the Field Station with an experienced Iwokrama Guide. Ask your guide about the Mora, Soft Wallaba and Wamara trees and the Screaming Piha, the Grey Chinned Hermit, and the Black-necked Aracari. You might even spot Howler Monkeys or a sloth.

HRH The Prince of Wales is Iwokrama’s patron. Follow the trail he took when he visited the Iwokrama forest in 2000 – a morning trek through virgin rainforest to a well known spot for viewing the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola rupicola) in their natural habitat. You have the opportunity to see them nesting in caves, performing their mating dance, bathing in pools, and perched in trees for perfect viewing. The tour is a community based project managed by the local community of Wowetta. Prince Charles and the Cock of the Rock Nature Trail The Prince Charles Nature Trail is located on the southern boundary of the Iwokrama forest and was created and named in honour of the prince’s visit to this area in 2000.  Here he signed the agreement to become Iwokrama’s Royal Patron under a towering Brazilian cedar.  An 800 metre walk will take you through beautifully varied forest that connects with the 400 metre long Cock-of-the-Rock trail to form a loop.  On the latter trail you will stop to investigate an active lek of the famous Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock with its luminous orange balls of feathers display among the boulder-strewn forested hillside which surely would be the highlight of the trip.

The Butterfly Farm is situated at Fairview Village within the Iwokrama Forest. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the farm, viewing at least 10 species including butterflies from the Morphidae Brassolidae and Papilonindae Family. You will learn about the lifecycle, ecology and the international butterfly market, whilst contributing to the livelihoods of the communities and ongoing research in this area. To find out more about this project go to www.guyanabutterflies.com.

Some guests spend a portion of their adventure simply enjoying the peace and quiet of a pristine forest environment or taking advantage of the River Lodge amenities. You can enjoy the sounds and sights of birds and monkeys or reflect upon the dark and mysterious Essequibo River. Take a nap or read in one of the hammocks. There is also a small but expanding reference library and a business centre with internet access. You may want to spend a portion of your adventure simply enjoying the peace and quiet of a pristine forest environment or taking advantage of the amenities at the River Lodge. You can enjoy the sounds and sights of birds and monkeys or reflect upon the dark and mysterious Essequibo River. Take a nap or read in one of the hammocks. There is also a small but expanding reference library and a computer lab with complimentary internet access.

To find out more about the Iwokrama Forest and local culture, there are a series of free talks at the River Lodge given daily by our knowledgeable guides that cover such areas as local flora and fauna (See our specimen collection!), a green tour of the grounds, Amerindian culture, and medicinal / edible plants