Guyana small group tour

Environment

We promise to promote ecologically sensitive tourism through a responsible and concerned attitude towards the environment.

Energy Saving: Electricity is used at a minimum in the Rupununi and more lodges are implementing the use of Solar Panels instead of diesel generators.

Waste Management: Disposal of waste in the very remote interior lodges is an issue which is taken very seriously. While there is no “recycling program”, from a very early age children are taught to sort garbage. The sorting is done, by Burnable (items which are safe to burn) which are disposed of in a red bin. Burnable (items which cannot safely be burned) which are disposed of in a blue bin. And Compost (fresh produce, which is compostable), which is disposed of in a green bin.

Saving water: Again due to the fact that in the remote areas of our interior Lodges we are careful to remind our guests that water is pumped up daily from the river or from our wells. We are very careful to use only what is needed. Refillable water bottles are encouraged and guests are reminded not to leave any litter behind.

Environmentally friendly products: In Georgetown we are very careful to use recycled products whenever they are available. In the interior, the use of natural and environmentally friendly products is not only the norm, but also what is most easily available.

Office practices: All electrical equipment, lights, computers, printers, are turned off when they are not being used. We conserve and recycle as much as is possible in the office, as it is a small office we are able to do so quite efficiently.

Community

We will provide the maximum benefit to the local communities by operating in an honest, thoughtful and concerned manner towards their customs and involving the communities so as to afford them the greatest financial benefit possible.

Local staff: Doing business in our corner of the world means you live and work like family. Our suppliers and our partners are people we’ve known for years, people we trust and count on to make sure visitors have the very best possible experience. Our staff and guides are all locally employed and continuous training is provided

Charity donations: We are an active member of the COMPETE Caribbean North Rupununi Cluster. During our participation in this project, 3 interior lodges became 100% solar, 3 interior lodges established internet, 60 individuals were trained in Wilderness First Aid, 12 individuals were selected to attend formal hospitality training in Georgetown. We also work closely with a number of individuals and charities who wish guidance on which communities require support.

Community projects: we are a member of CATS (Community and Tourism Services) which is a unique partnership formed between the Makushi community at Surama, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. The CATS partnership is a model of ecotourism that proves the tourism sector, a conservation NGO, and an indigenous community can find joint economic success while providing local opportunity and an excellent experience for visitors from around the world.We have also been very involved in the development of a new tourism product in the communities of Warapoka and Morakobai. We have actively assisted in developing and training the local villagers to welcome guests to their community. We have assited in getting funding from various sources including a well known UK operator who’s funding assisted greatly in procuring Solar panels and batteries for the Guesthouse so that Diesel Generator would not have to be used.