If the image of Kaieteur Waterfall is strikingly beautiful, imagine how wide your eyes will enlarge when you stand right in front of the falls!
Let us see a video of it.
Wow! It is really magnificent and quite voluminous. I read, that over 23,000 cubic feet of water flows down per second.
The height of the Kaieteur Waterfall is 740 feet! From such a height with such a volume, it must generate a big roar that can be heard from a distance.
The setting is amidst a thick, verdant, tropical rainforest.
It is said to be the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Though you see several falls, one of them directly falls onto the ground without falling on any rock in between.
Where Kaieteur Waterfall is exactly located?
It is part of the Kaieteur National Park, Potaro-Siparuni region, Guyana.
How to reach the Kaieteur Waterfall?
Getting to Kaieteur Waterfall is a back-bending, and arduous journey that involves a bus, boat, and a plane ride, finally ending with a hike on feet.
First, you have to board a bus from Georgetown, the capital of Guyana.
You will be dropped off at a small town known as Mahdia. This road trip involves a whopping nine hours!
From here, you have to go by a boat. The journey doesn’t end here.
When the boat ride ends, you must hike the Pakarima Mountains for 4 days to reach the stunning waterfalls.
Now, I read, that you can board a small plane (6 people capacity) from Georgetown. After an hour, the plane lands, and you have to hike for about 30 minutes to reach the top of the falls.
Hmm… it is remote, somewhere in Guyana.
If you are originating from any of the Caribbean Islands, any South American countries, or from Florida, you will land at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Guyana.
Even from New York, you can fly directly to Georgetown, Guyana. In this case, the flight duration will be 5 hours and 45 minutes!
From here, you can board the small plane to reach the Kaieteur Falls.
10 Fascinating Facts About Kaieteur Waterfall, Guyana’s Hidden Gem!
What is the source of the water for the Kaieteur Waterfall?
River Potaro feeds the falls.
Is the falls’ height any bigger than Victoria Falls?
Yes of course. It is double the height of Victoria Falls. If you claim Niagara is taller, change your thoughts.
Kaieteur Falls’s height is four times that of the highly popular Niagara.
For your quick reference, the Victoria Falls height in Zambia is only 355 feet but the width is a massive 5600 feet!
The reason for the brownish tinge of Kaieteur Falls.
When I first saw a stream of the Potaro River, I mistook it for the Amazon River.
Potaro River flows through tough mountainous terrain, carrying with it a lot of sediments, and rocky particles. So, that is the reason for the brownish water.
Where does the water from the Kaieteur Waterfall drain?
After falling on the conglomerate (sedimentary) rocks, the water flows through smaller rocks, forming several cascades.
It finally mingles with Essequibo River. This river then runs for a little over 1000 km through dense jungles and finally marries the Atlantic Ocean.
Which is the nearest access point for the Kaieteur Waterfalls?
Georgetown is the quickest gateway, located at 230 km.
Are there any tour operators in Georgetown to take you to the falls?
Yes, I believe four companies are offering the guided tour service.
Is the water so voluminous throughout the year? When is the best time to visit Kaieteur Waterfall?
September to April is the ideal period to see the waterfalls in full glory.
Are there any other waterfalls nearby?
Yes! There are three of them, namely, Waratuk, Tumatumi, and Amatuk. However, you have to hike quite a distance to see the two gems.
Other small cascades can also be visited if you have chosen the 4 day hiking route from Mahdia.
What else to see when you are visiting the Kaieteur?
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Denham Suspension Bridge
It is worth walking on. It is built over the Potaro River. It connects Mahdia town with Bartica village.
On the other side of the bridge, lie the gold mines of Potaro.
Garraway Stream Bridge is the alternative name for the bridge.
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Kaieteur National Park
This is the only NP in Guyana. It includes the mighty Amazon Rainforest. That means, one can hope to capture several endemic Amazonian wildlife in his camera.
Passionate hikers will be pleased to know, they can choose any one of the several nature trails through the NP.
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Guianan Moist Forests
The trees, rivers, and the ecology in some part of the NP comprise moist forests.
Inside such moist forests, though the sunlight will struggle to enter, you will feel real and sweat a lot.
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Meet the natives of the Guianan Moist Forest
The natives who live in this part of Amazon forests are called Amerindian Tribes. Interacting with them will expose you to their in-depth knowledge of the forest, flora, and fauna.
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Wildlife to see in Kaieteur National Park.
There are countless species of Amazonian fauna. Many of them are endemic to the forest. It means you can’t find them anywhere else in the world.
- Harpy Eagle
- Scarlet Macaw (one of the most beautiful birds in the Amazon jungles)
- Giant Anteater
- Jaguar
Considering the remote location of the waterfalls, and the time involved in reaching, you have to plan an exclusive trip.
However, since there are numerous attractions to see in Guyana, you can allocate one day to visit Kaieteur Fall.
