Surama Eco-Lodge

Overview

Description

The Surama community is a five square-mile village of 300 Makushi Amerindians, located at the northern edge of Guyana's remote Rupununi Savannah and bounded by the protected Iwokrama International Rainforest Centre.

The Surama Eco-Lodge is the visitor's gateway to exploring the idyllic Pakaraima Mountains and Burro Burro River. This part of Guyana features some of the most astounding examples of thriving rainforest ecology to be found anywhere on earth. It is without doubt one of the least explored regions on the planet and home to some of the biggest, noisiest, and most exotic animals in South America. The stunning natural habitat is masterfully curated by local residents who convey a compellingly intimate fluency with nature through hikes, river canoe expeditions, and visits to community schools, centers, and traditional events.

The Eco-lodge is situated one mile from the main village and surrounded by land that is protected by the community. This spot was chosen for its idyllic location on the top of a small hill with stunning views. Visitors can easily access the trails into the primary rainforest and Burro Burro River by foot, creating a more environmentally responsible experience. The distance from the village helps to ensure that community lifestyles are not significantly impacted.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 70

Percentage of local employees: 100%

Surama Eco-lodge and related tours are managed and operated by the local Makushi Amerindians. Some 70 citizens of Surama are employed directly as hospitality staff, guides, cooks, artisans, and drivers, or indirectly as farmers, hunters, fishermen, tailors, and maintenance workers. Roughly 60% of the community's income is generated through sustainable tourism-related activities, and 75% of households derive income from tourism.

Visitor fees and employee contributions subsidize an investment fund which pays for community health and transportation projects, school supplies, community facilities, construction of a windmill, university scholarships, and a microcredit scheme that lends to local entrepreneurs.

Surama's cultural group motivates and preserves the Makushi culture, especially among the youth. The group composes and performs dances, songs, poems, and skits about the Makushi way of life. A women's cassava-making project supports and showcases the local industry, and the Women's Activity Centre is a place for craft making, sewing, embroidery, and for selling the items.

Surama Eco-Lodge accommodates small groups only, reducing visitors' footprints in the wilderness and in the community itself. A rotation of staff reduces impact on the traditional community lifestyle while allowing sufficient time to farm, fish, and hunt.

Through community consensus, a 12.5 square mile (20 sq km) protected area was created by Surama. Wildlife trapping and harvesting of endangered tree species is banned, and reforestation and monitoring programs were introduced. Anecdotal indications show wildlife populations and endangered tree species are recovering and growing as a result.

Surama is a role model for Amerindian communities in Guyana, inspiring at least six communities in the surrounding North Rupununi region to develop and sell eco-cultural tourism products and services.

Rates

$101 – $150

Rates are per person and all-inclusive, including lodging, meals, guides, and activities such as birdwatching, dugout canoe trips, hiking, community tours, and more.

Rates do not fluctuate throughout the year.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Cheddi Jagan, Georgetown (GEO)

Nearest local/national airport: Ogle Aerodrome, Georgetown (OGL)

Travel time to nearest airport: 8 hours

The nearest airstrips for domestic flights are in Annai village (roughly 45 minute drive) and Fair View village at Iwokrama (roughly 1 hour 15 minute drive).

Surama village can be reached year-round. To reach it from the main road requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. To access Surama village from Georgetown requires an interior flight/4wd combination, 4-wheel drive overland journey, or a bus/minibus journey.

When coming from Lethem, on the border of Brazil to the south, options include 4-wheel drive, bus, or minibus combinations.

Additional Information

Additional Web sites

• www.guyanabirding.com/trellis/birding_sites_E_news_Feb_09 (available in English). Guyana Birding News featured Birding Site, February 2009: Provides general overview of Surama village and community tourism offerings (English).

Date This Information Was Provided

March 2009.

Photos courtesy of Surama Eco-Lodge, Guyana, for SustainableTrip.org.