DestinationGuayana Shield

Gran Sabana

Thirty-five thousand square kilometres of high savanna, waterfalls and the world's oldest rock.

The Gran Sabana extends for nearly 35,000 km² between the Sierra de Lema and the Sierra Pakaraima: wide plains interrupted by gentle hills, forests, Moriche palm clusters, rivers, small Indian villages and the legendary tepuys — “mountains” in the Pemón language. These sandstone tables with flat tops and vertical sides are considered the world’s most ancient rock formations, around three thousand million years old.

Why it works for your clients

The tepuy surfaces hold canyons, caves, labyrinths of rock, endemic plants and a climate of sudden fog — enough to inspire the first explorers and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World. This is Venezuela for active clients: the Roraima trek is a serious six-day guided ascent, while the southern road offers soft-adventure days of waterfalls and Pemón villages for those who prefer a 4×4 to a tent.

How we operate it

Flight to Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz and a 4×4 transfer with our own drivers, or a flight into Santa Elena de Uairén for clients continuing to Brazil. Roraima expeditions run with experienced Pemón guides, porters and our own camp equipment, permits arranged in advance.

Highlights

  • Roraima (2,723 m), Kukenán (2,650 m) and the tepuys of the Macizo del Roraima
  • Quebrada de Jaspe — a river running over red jasper
  • Kama Merú, Chinak Merú and the great falls along the southern road
  • Pemón communities and the mission of Kavanayén
  • Overland link towards Santa Elena de Uairén and the Brazilian border

At a glance

Region
Guayana Shield
Distance
1 h flight Caracas–Ciudad Bolívar + 4h30 car transfer
Best time
December to April for treks; falls fullest June to September
Where guests stay
Small lodges and camps between Kavanayén and Santa Elena de Uairén

Journeys that include this destination