At a glance
- Best for
- Waterfalls, rainforest, wildlife and photography
- Getting there
- Small plane from Ogle, or a multi day overland trek
- Time needed
- A day trip, or four to six days overland
- Best time
- Late in the rainy season for power, the dry season for clear skies
- What to bring
- Good shoes, rain jacket, water and a camera
- Good to know
- Viewpoints are unfenced: stay with your guide
Why visit Kaieteur
Kaieteur sits inside **Kaieteur National Park**, one of the oldest protected areas in South America. The falls are many times higher than Niagara, and the volume of water in the rainy season is staggering. Because the park is reached by small plane or a long trek, you may share the viewpoints with only a few dozen people.
Beyond the falls, the plateau is home to **golden rocket frogs** that live in giant tank bromeliads, **Guianan cock of the rock**, swifts that nest behind the curtain of water, and unusual plants found only in this corner of the Guiana Highlands.
How to get there
### By air
Most visitors fly from **Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle**, near Georgetown, on a small plane day trip run by local domestic airlines and tour operators. The flight takes around an hour over endless rainforest, with views of rivers and gold mining scars. Many trips combine Kaieteur with **Orinduik Falls** on the Ireng River, where you can sit in warm water on stepped rocks on the Brazilian border.
Flights depend on weather and on having enough passengers, so trips can be delayed or cancelled. Leave a spare day in your plans. There is a baggage weight limit on small planes, so pack light.
### Overland
Adventurous travellers can reach the top of the falls on a guided **overland trip** of several days, travelling by road and boat up the Potaro River and then hiking up the escarpment. It is hard work, often wet and muddy, but deeply rewarding, and you usually fly back from the park's airstrip. Book only with an established operator listed by the Guyana Tourism Authority.
What you will see
From the airstrip, a guide leads a short walk to several viewpoints. **Johnson's View** looks straight at the full drop, **Rainbow View** catches spray rainbows when the sun is right, and **Boy Scout View** shows the falls from further away. Along the way, guides point out golden frogs, orchids and pitcher plants.
The viewpoints are **unfenced** and the rock can be slippery. Stay well back from the edge, keep children close and follow the ranger and guide.
When to go
Guyana has two rainy seasons. Around the end of the main rainy season, often July or August, the falls are at their most powerful. In drier months the water flow is lower but skies are clearer and flights are less likely to be delayed by cloud. Kaieteur is spectacular at any time of year.
Practical tips
Pack light, wear good walking shoes and bring a light rain jacket, water and sun protection. There is a basic guest house at the park for overnight stays, which lets you see the falls at dawn and sunset without the day trip crowd, but it is simple and must be arranged in advance. Park and landing fees are set by the authorities: check the current amount with your operator.
Combine it with
A day trip to Kaieteur fits easily into a stay in Georgetown. If you have more time, add a week in the Rupununi or at Iwokrama, and use the free trip planner to fit it together.
Questions about Kaieteur Falls
Can you visit Kaieteur Falls in one day?
Yes. Day trips by small plane from Ogle near Georgetown are the most common way to visit, often combined with Orinduik Falls.
Can you swim at Kaieteur Falls?
No, the falls and gorge are far too dangerous. You can swim at Orinduik Falls if your trip includes it.
Is Kaieteur Falls higher than Niagara?
Yes, by a long way. Kaieteur drops around two hundred and twenty six metres in a single plunge, several times the height of Niagara.
What happens if my Kaieteur flight is cancelled?
Weather and passenger numbers can delay or cancel flights. Operators usually rebook you, so keep a spare day in your schedule.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
