Guyana just turned 50!

You probably must be thinking: Guyana? Where is that anyway? Well, firstly, no – it’s not in Africa.

Little known Guyana is an emerging Eco touristic destination in South America, where cascading waterfalls, lavish biodiversity and acres of untouched rainforest await discovery. The best part? It is South America’s only English speaking country.

An ex-British colony with a distinct Caribbean flavour, Guyana has a substantial indigenous population that offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional local life. Guyana means “the land of many waters”, a name that reflects its vast amount of rivers, waterfalls and extensive Atlantic coast.

“The celebration of our fiftieth anniversary as an independent nation is truly joyous. We invite you, whether you live in Guyana or are a visitor, to experience first-hand the wonder, the breathtaking beauty and delights of our unique country” expressed David Granger, President of Guyana.

A little bit of history

Guyana was discovered in 1498 by Spanish conquerors; nevertheless, the Dutch gained control of the area in the 17^th century and exploited the land for agricultural purposes. As the productivity of the region increased, a labour shortage emerged. Hence, the Dutch brought countless African slaves into the country. Guyana is constantly confused with Africa because a high proportion of its population has Afro-American traits.

In 1814, Guyana was ceded to Britain. A hundred years later though, Britain faced nothing but political unrest in its colony. Major political parties established demands for independence but the English refused to provide it due to the strident socialist messages in the local political mottos. It was not until 1966 that Guyana gained its independence, when it was enjoying economic growth and domestic peace.

What awaits you at the destination?

‘Enjoy a night walk, go on a canoe trip or hike in search for local fauna. Visit the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls – the world’s highest single-drop waterfall or stroll through Georgetown, the country’s colonial capital that boasts great eats and markets”, advises Rod McInerney, Senior Travel Consultant at Contours Travel.

Today, Guyana is flourishing as a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. If you want to leave the tourist hotspots and search for something genuine and personal, this remarkable lost land might be your place to go. Most of its rainforest is preserved in pristine form while tour buses, postcards and even souvenirs are in short supply. It could be said that Guyana is one of the few untrammelled places left on Earth. Care to explore it?

Contours Travel is the longest running Latin American operator in Australia. It has 40 years of experience designing tailor-made, small group itineraries and special interest tours throughout the region. See more at: http://www.contourstravel.com.au

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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