The Experience

Your tour starts with a scenic  half hour drive from Georgetown passing by  many coastal villages such as  Victoria , the first village purchased by the freed slaves over 175 years ago.

Unity Village

Arriving  at Unity Village, located at the mouth of the Mahaica river  you board a boat captained by one of the many local fishermen whose  interesting tales are as enjoyable as the many  birding opportunities.

The boat journey takes you up the serene Mahaica river, bordered on either side by intact mangrove forests, home to crabs, racoons, monkeys and over one hundred and fifty species of birds.  Most sighted species includes the Gray-breasted Crakes, Rufous Crab-Hawks,Silvered Antbirds,Black-capped Donacobius, Wing-barred Seedeater, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Moriche Oriole, Rufous Crab-Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Boat-billed Heron, Pied Water-Tyrant, Tropical Kingbird, Silver-backed Antbird, Green-rumped Parrotlet and Great Black-Hawk to name  a few.

The Mahaica Cast Iron Bridge

The boat passes under the one hundred and fifty  year old  Mahaica cast iron bridge now retired but which  at that time allowed South America’s first railway service to cross the  river playing  an invaluable role in the development of the coastal economy during colonial times. This service transported passengers, pigs and poultry to the capital city of Georgetown.

The tour’s iconic specie are the hoatzin, Guyana’s national bird which is known locally as the Canje Pheasant. They are extremely social and live in groups of forty making theirs pinning and curtseying antics on the branches of the mangrove trees  a sight to behold. Supposedly linked to the first known bird, the prehistoric Archaeoppteryx, their elongated neck, tiny head with  blood red eyes ringed by blue skin and long tail feathers inspired one travel writer to aptly describe them as seemingly  designed by Dr. Suess.The second iconic specie are the blood colored woodpeckers which is

The Canje Pheasant (Hoatzin)

restricted to the narrow coastal plan and is considered a Guiana Shield endemic.

As wild manatees call this river home you may be given an extra treat  to an unscheduled surfacing  from beneath the coco cola colored waters.

The boat continues to the halfway point known as “Mango Landing”  due to the  prolific bearing mango tree also doubling up as our tie up spot. During mango season the captain drives the boat under the overhanging branches giving those fortunate visitors the treat to pick their own ripe mangoes. As the landing is on the perimeter  of a rice field you can take a short walking tour through the fields to learn about the rice industry.

Market day is on Saturdays so if your tour is on this day a stop is made so you can take in the culture and purchase fresh fruits or just enjoy a chat with the delightful local vendors.

A “tassa drumming” cultural presentation can be booked as an extra event at the end of the river journey. A stop by Ingrids Creole foodstand to enjoy a cold Demerara Gold cane juice and local fare is optional on the return to Georgetown.