JUNGLES OF GUYANA // TRIP REPORT

Heat Stroke, torn rafts… and then our exit disappeared.

The expedition started with 17 hours off-road travel in a 4x4 Toyota minibus. Just getting there can really take it out of you on an expedition, and that’s before you even shoulder a pack. We spent the first night drinking plenty of water, recovering from the journey that got us miles away from civilisation, and to our start point on the river.

The remote ‘Burro-Burro River was going to be our only way of making distance (or so we thought) for the next 12 days - with our transport being individual pack-rafts. These boats are relatively small inflatable boats that could handle easy white water, carry multiple kg of kit inside their sealed tubes, and pack down to the size of a large 2 person tent.

Just before sunset on the first day I spotted two Scarlett Macaws flying in as a pair. The animal I had most wanted to see in the wild, and the first thing I saw. A good sign, and one that became an almost daily occurrence.

The sun sets in the tropics much faster than we are used to in the UK, one moment its daylight and within about 15 minutes it’s pitch black… and then the whole place gets even louder.

The first few days were all about getting used to the jungle environment, the heat and humidity, the bugs (ants), and more heat and humidity. By day three I had been hit by the combination of the conditions — and trying to do too much without a rest. (My own fault). And had to spend a day recovering in the hammock.

The rest of the week we were back on track, keeping an eye on our progress and supplies, following the same pattern each day of paddling until a few hours before sunset, and then spending an hour or so to set up camp at the waters edge. Using the machetes to cut down a clearing for all three of our hammocks, we made space to cook our food and re-hydrate, and tend to any small injuries or comfort issues.

TO BE CONTINUED…