GEORGETOWN

IT IS VERY UNWISE TO TAKE YOUR BOAT TO GEORGETOWN. BOAT ROBBERY ETC IS RIFE. THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WE FOUND PERFECTLY SAFE. Take care of yourself when walking around. We found it quite safe but we do not wear flash clothing, jewellery or carry handbags. Our money is on our chest and we look drab to say the least. There is backpacker accommodation in Georgetown. In Georgetown we stayed at Rima Guest House – US$15 – in Middle St (can walk all over Georgetown from there)

For other areas for accommodation ask or as we did carry a hammock (our synthetic $5 hammock from Georgetown fitted in one hand) Everyone has a spare place to tie it out of the rain. Run a string between the hitching places and drape your mosquito net under your hammock and over the string.

TO ACCESS GEORGETOWN FROM RIVERS to extend the time of stay in Guyana or to shop or refill US propane tanks, etc. (We carry a Guyanese (Cuba etc) Propane fitting connected to a male USA fitting and decant into our USA propane 20 lb bottles)

1. NW region, Kaituma, Mabaruma, Kumaka, Barima river area

From airport at Port Kaituma or Mabaruma fly to Ogle airport (local small airport in Georgetown. Here at immigration you could ask for a month visa (say you are a tourist for purpose of visit), stay overnight and return to NW region next day, requesting immigration at Ogle not to do an exit stamp as you will do this at Morawhana Police Station when you leave NW region. This then gives you time in the NW region and when you go to the Pomeroon River you can do customs and immigration there. Mizam Barakat at the sawmill at Charity will help if necessary.

Alternatively, and for a longer visa than one-month go to Home Affairs (Brickdam Rd) see Miss Lewis or Miss Henry and get your 4 months extension. If you are carrying the passport of person who may have stayed behind to look after your boat – ensure Home Affairs call Immigration (where passport is endorsed with extended time) and that you have name of person so that missing person’s passport can be endorsed. (see section on NW region for further information on immigration extensions)

LOOK SMART – BE WELL DRESSED – MUST HAVE SLEEVES IN SHIRT AND NO SHORTS – LONG PANTS ONLY – VERY STRICT DRESS CODE

2 Pomeroon River

Bus from CHARITY to Supinam – ferry boat to Parika – bus to Georgetown – about a two and a half hour journey.

3. Essequibo River

Bartica now has Customs and Immigration

From Bartica – Jetboat to Parika with Bells service – 1hr – bus to Georgetown – 45 minutes

From Supinam – Ferry boat to Parika – 0.5 hr - bus to Georgetown – 45 minutes

From Parika – bus to Georgetown – 45 minutes

4. Berbice River

From New Amsterdam – ferry to Rosignol – 20 minutes – bus to Georgetown – 1 hr or from Rosignol – anchor boat off cabbage factory next to ferry stelling, (wharf) see manager – he will look after your dinghy. Catch bus to Georgetown

From Kwukwani – bus to Linden and change for Georgetown – 3.5 hours

Every where we went on our boat you can go without having a boat by using

River taxis or local boats. Carry a hammock.

.Everyone speaks English and will help you find what you want or something better

Hey! If you want it like home stay there

NOTE WELL This INFORMATION is freely given but readers must make their own decision what to do as the writer is not responsible for errors, navigation changes or omissions

Remember everyone speaks English and wants to help. ASK!!

Very Few boaters enjoy Guyana so simple entry as in Trinidad has not been developed. Be patient with the authority and its reams of bookwork. The rewards of enjoying Guyana are worth it.

1 ESSEQUIBO RIVER

A. WEST CHANNEL to Supinam river Waypoints to enter from sea

WP1 8 deg 21.0 N 59 deg 16.0 W

WP2 8 deg 00.00N 58 deg 52.0 W

WP3 7 deg 42.0 N 58 deg 37.0 W

WP4 7 deg 23.0 N 58 deg 21.0 W

WP5 7 deg 10.0 N 58 deg 22.4 W

WP6 7 deg 08.8 W 58 deg 24.2 W

WP7 7 deg 01.5 W 58 deg 26.9 W

WP8 6 deg 58.2 58 deg 30.0 W

Notes

1. WP4 to WP6 is shallowest area around 8 ft at half tide. Calm weather crossing only

2. WP8 is close to Supinam river

B. SHIPS CHANNEL

If any sea running use this channel Use chart to enter to Parika watch out for fish traps, nets and stakes.

C. TO EXPLORE THE ESSEQUIBO RIVER

You need two charts to go up to Bartica ( approx. 5 miles past Bartica there are rapids, shallows and rocks in all rivers and tributaries) Electronic charts are available

These charts are NOT readily available in Georgetown

Borrow from tugs etc or follow big boats, barges up ( buoys are far and few) or buy charts in Trinidad before departure

Many islands to explore on the way. Many shallow areas but plenty of navigable deep water. There are many Islands to enjoy along the way. We took four days to get to Bartica. There are rocks, which seem to be on the chart.

Anchor at Bartica Off the Cool Breezes Bar and use dinghy to explore further up the rivers or charter local boats.

Use jet boat (Correia jet boats contact Pundit in Bartica) to go to mile 270 approx. up the Mazaruni river delivering miners, their equipment and provisions to gold and diamond mines and Amerindian villages. (you may even see a rare Harpy Eagle as we did) You could arrange to be left at an Amerindian village or camp on the way. (take your hammock, food and mosquito nets for a day or two and arrange a jet boat return later. You can return the next day if you sleep overnight on the jet boat up river.

In Bartica, a good contact is Halbert Knight pharmacist and President of local Chamber of Commerce. He always points you in the right direction. The Steam saw mill is fascinating as is the shingle mill and charcoal pits.