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Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)
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About
#1 of 3 ranches in Rupununi
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A thatched and clay brick settlement on the banks of the Rupununi River, Karanambu prides itself on its pioneer spirit and old world charm and hospitality. Guests are welcomed as friends, share meals around a single ranch style table: and step into a landscape and culture relatively unchanged for generations. To a former generation it was known as the home of Tiny (Edward) McTurk; an amateur naturalist and local folk legend, it was Tiny who introduced the English speaking world to the creatures of South America. Today Karanambu is best known for the work of his daughter Ms. Diane McTurk 'The Otter Lady', whose contributions to Eco-Tourism, Conservation and especially the rescue and reintroduction of Giant Otters has made her Guyana's most famous icon. Within its 110 square mile area Karanambu boasts 5 habitats, 6 species of monkeys, over 600 species of birds, world class fishing and a vast array of flora and fauna. For almost 100 years the McTurk Family and wildlife of Karanambu have attracted visitors from across the globe and has been features in publications by: David Attenborough, Gerald Durrell, Jeff Corwin, Davis Finch, Steven Hilty and John Gimlette. With its rustic yet civilised style Karanambu has been featured on the BBC, German Television, National Geographic, Calgary's 'Zoo Quest' and the Discovery Channel and was in 2013 the recipient of the Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award. Pioneers in the tourism industry in Guyana, Karanambu is today considered the hallmark of Bush Tourism and Eco-Tourism in Guyana.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Free breakfast
Boating
Hiking
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Wifi
Paid wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Fishing
Airport transportation
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
BBQ facilities
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
First aid kit
Laundry service
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Quaint
Location
Lethem Guyana Karanambo Guyana
Getting there
Cheddi Jagan Intl Airport
209.5 km•
See all flights
Rental Cars
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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Detailed Reviews
Spent two wonderful nights here being shown the area by Felix and Mervin, with wonderful hospitality by the Mcturk family. The benabs were well equipped with lovely showers and supplied with drinking water, there was plenty of food and meal time was very orderly. The grounds were lovely and the family pets were sweet. We saw otters, snakes, spiders, anteaters, reptiles, and more birds than I can remember, and enjoyed hikes, savannah drives and boating with simple fishing. The Amazonica lily experience alone is worth the trip.
All in all, it is pricey but well worth every penny of this premium experience. Absolutely Recommend!
All in all, it is pricey but well worth every penny of this premium experience. Absolutely Recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)
Responded 3 days ago
Pure love. Thank you from our entire team. We are so very glad that you appreciate all the efforts we go to to make you visit memorable.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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After Iwokrama Lodge and Rock View Lodge, our last stop was Karanambu Lodge. From Rock View Lodge Greaves bus picked us up and drove us to Ginep Landing. There the boat was already waiting for us towards the lodge. After two hours we reached the lodge. Edward, the boss, received us. Tea and coffee were available all day – only no internet (only in the evening the internet is switched on). Since we had to be reachable because of our waterfall tour, we bought extra internet. After lunch and rum punch we went by boat to the Victoria amazonica at 4pm. We meandered by boat through narrow channels. On the way we saw various birds and a pack of giant otters frolicking in the water. After a while we reached a veritable plant field – tons of floating leaves and still closed flowers. After 40 min. Waiting time the first plants opened. Once back at the lodge, dinner was served. We had another social evening with Eduard and other tourists. Thanks to the open style of the cabins, a few bats had strayed into our cabin, protecting us from mosquitoes and other insects. The next day we got up at 5:00, had a coffee and were already sitting on the loading area of a pickup truck to track down the giant ant eater. After a short time we saw the first ant eater and followed it on foot. We were already on our way back to the lodge when we spotted another anteater and went for an extra spin to take some more snapshots. After our tour we were driven back to the Ginep Landing and checked on some giant otters during the boat trip. At Ginep Landing we were picked up by Greaves Bus.
(Visit September 2023)
(Visit September 2023)
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karanambu is an incredible place and was one of our favourite experiences in all of Guyana. While the lodge itself is simple but very clean and comfortable...the service and attentiveness of staff was absolutley five star. Melanie and Edward are wonderful hosts who are very generous with their time. We learned so much about the McTurk family and the history of the region and Guyana during our stay. The food was absolutley incredible - we were blown away by the variety and quality of the meals we were served.
And of course the reason we visited in the first place - the wildlife - surpassed all expectations. Obviously there is no way to guarantee wildlife sightings but the team at the lodge went above andf beyond to give our grou[p the best experience imaginable. During our stay we were fortunate enough to see a GIant Anteater, spider, capuchin and brown-bearded saki monkeys, giant river otters, more species of birds than I could count (or name).....and most incredible of all, TWO jaguar. The guides were absolutley amazing with their knowledge, passion and commitment to sharing this wonderful part of the world with us.
10 out of 10 - if I would only visit one lodge in Guyana, I think this would have to be it.
Thanks again to the wonderful team at Karanambu!
And of course the reason we visited in the first place - the wildlife - surpassed all expectations. Obviously there is no way to guarantee wildlife sightings but the team at the lodge went above andf beyond to give our grou[p the best experience imaginable. During our stay we were fortunate enough to see a GIant Anteater, spider, capuchin and brown-bearded saki monkeys, giant river otters, more species of birds than I could count (or name).....and most incredible of all, TWO jaguar. The guides were absolutley amazing with their knowledge, passion and commitment to sharing this wonderful part of the world with us.
10 out of 10 - if I would only visit one lodge in Guyana, I think this would have to be it.
Thanks again to the wonderful team at Karanambu!
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We first contacted Mel months in advanced and she was extremely helpful in helping my partner plan our trip around Guyana. We booked directly through the lodge and as a result believe this was one of the reasons for what we experienced at the lodge (see below). I do want to note all of the staff were so lovely and kind and the food was very tasty.
However, the lodge is extremely overpriced for what you get. Your room is extremely rustic which is to be expected when being in the middle of nowhere, however you will have some roommates. Bats will be flying into your mosquito net all night long.
One of the major draws to the lodge is going to try and find the giant anteater. However, this can only be done if the car is working. We had the unfortunate experience of the car not working on both mornings despite being told after the first morning that an alternative car would be sourced so we would not be impacted again.
When you pay nearly $2,000 for 2 nights you expect to at least have one morning activity over the 2 days. After complaining we were offered $100 compensation. Not sure how 2 morning excursions amount to only 5% of the total cost of the lodge. When we were at the lodge it was mentioned there was no bookings in August, we therefore believe our money was kept to compensate this which is extremely unfair.
The guides were young and inexperienced and therefore would not talk to you other than saying bird over there or monkey over there which was extremely disappointing. It felt like we were used for their training practice which is again extremely unfair for the amount we paid and is not professional at all. To pay nearly $2,000 2 nights and get 5 meals, transport to and from the lodge and 2 afternoon activities (instead of 4) is outrageous. They are they only lodge charging over double the amount of others so it is definitely not worth the amount you pay, especially as we have visited lodges in 71 countries before and never felt like we have overpaid before except for at Karanambu. Save your money for other lodges in Guyana or if you want to view the giant otters, giant anteaters and even the elusive jaguar go to Pantanal in Brazil.
However, the lodge is extremely overpriced for what you get. Your room is extremely rustic which is to be expected when being in the middle of nowhere, however you will have some roommates. Bats will be flying into your mosquito net all night long.
One of the major draws to the lodge is going to try and find the giant anteater. However, this can only be done if the car is working. We had the unfortunate experience of the car not working on both mornings despite being told after the first morning that an alternative car would be sourced so we would not be impacted again.
When you pay nearly $2,000 for 2 nights you expect to at least have one morning activity over the 2 days. After complaining we were offered $100 compensation. Not sure how 2 morning excursions amount to only 5% of the total cost of the lodge. When we were at the lodge it was mentioned there was no bookings in August, we therefore believe our money was kept to compensate this which is extremely unfair.
The guides were young and inexperienced and therefore would not talk to you other than saying bird over there or monkey over there which was extremely disappointing. It felt like we were used for their training practice which is again extremely unfair for the amount we paid and is not professional at all. To pay nearly $2,000 2 nights and get 5 meals, transport to and from the lodge and 2 afternoon activities (instead of 4) is outrageous. They are they only lodge charging over double the amount of others so it is definitely not worth the amount you pay, especially as we have visited lodges in 71 countries before and never felt like we have overpaid before except for at Karanambu. Save your money for other lodges in Guyana or if you want to view the giant otters, giant anteaters and even the elusive jaguar go to Pantanal in Brazil.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would not recommend with kids. We visited with our 4 boys (11-4) and Edward and his son made the visit very uncomfortable. The owner and his son have very little patience with children and made a comment to my youngest if he couldn’t behave at lunch he would be moved next to me so I could ‘control him’. Edwards son threw up his hands after learning our kids didn’t want soup for dinner the second night. We were the only guests there at the time. I know our kids are far from perfect but they weren’t ‘out of control’, they are out of their element and up early and late every day, and we paid $1,500 per day to be there. They are used to older retirees. There are no activities from after breakfast until 3pm because it is ‘too hot’. We asked for a guided walk during the day and the guide took us to the boat dock which we were allowed to access ourselves. All other trails around the property are off limits without a guide which would not walk us around. I thought the beers and cokes were included because it appeared to be such a chore to ask for extras. I didn’t mind paying and we did in the end, but was apprehensive to ask based on the reactions of asking. The last day they served only peanut butter sandwiches and meat patties for lunch. No fruit. No sides, etc. because they were frustrated with the kids only selecting what they would eat and not everything. Of all the places we stayed (5 total) this was the least accommodating towards the kids/us in general. On the plus side their guide staff and tours were amazing. Appreciated the fact they went above and beyond to see an anteater and had much more patience with the boys. My kids were begging to leave early. I felt like we were walking on eggshells the whole time. Again my kids are far from perfect but we did not encounter this experience anywhere else we stayed. Not anywhere else we have ever stayed.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Huge disappointment. I fell I got ripped off. My experience is that in Latin America for $600 resort for two people per night you will get a five start resort with excellent service and with a very good infrastructure. This was not the case. Karanambu Lodge is at most a two or three start resort, which in Latin America does not cost more than $150 per day even with the activities included.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to Karanambu as part of the Guyana Nature Experience organised by Wilderness Explorers and spent 2 nights there. I could have easily done 3.
We were met at Ginep Landing by Edward McTurk, the ranch owner, and his professional team of guides and we took a long boat ride to the ranch while Edward and the guides pointed out a wealth of bird species including several kingfisher and water bird species. Once at the ranch, we were shown to comfortable, clean if a little run down rooms. The ranch needs a bit of maintenance but is a great place to stay, with its legacy of Diane McTurk. We all had communal meals with Edward and the food was great. There was also rum punch on tap, freely available, and you could pay for beer.
The ranch grounds are really nice, with flowering shrubs with hummingbirds and large trees providing shade. I wandered down to the river and along the bank, seeing woodpeckers and heaps of butterflies.
We went out on wildlife viewing activities which were really good. We went to a bird breeding site where there were heaps of chicks of various species of heron, and we saw a giant river otter eating a dead bird which was a thrill. We went through a lot of mangrove forests full of bats and monkeys including a wonderful encounter with a troupe of squirrel monkeys. We also went to look for giant anteaters on the savannah and saw one the second time round, which was brilliant. We watched Victoria Amazonica lillies bloom on an oxbow lake surrounded by birds and caiman which was lovely. The guides were excellent, especially Kevin who had a lot of knowledge about the area and could identify practically every species we saw, including the bats. There were rum punch sundowners in the boats in the evenings.
As I said at the beginning of this post, I could have stayed another night here. There were so many habitats (mangroves, oxbow lakes, woodlands, savannah and the Rupununi River itself) and a lot of lovely wildlife. The rum punch was good too :)
We were met at Ginep Landing by Edward McTurk, the ranch owner, and his professional team of guides and we took a long boat ride to the ranch while Edward and the guides pointed out a wealth of bird species including several kingfisher and water bird species. Once at the ranch, we were shown to comfortable, clean if a little run down rooms. The ranch needs a bit of maintenance but is a great place to stay, with its legacy of Diane McTurk. We all had communal meals with Edward and the food was great. There was also rum punch on tap, freely available, and you could pay for beer.
The ranch grounds are really nice, with flowering shrubs with hummingbirds and large trees providing shade. I wandered down to the river and along the bank, seeing woodpeckers and heaps of butterflies.
We went out on wildlife viewing activities which were really good. We went to a bird breeding site where there were heaps of chicks of various species of heron, and we saw a giant river otter eating a dead bird which was a thrill. We went through a lot of mangrove forests full of bats and monkeys including a wonderful encounter with a troupe of squirrel monkeys. We also went to look for giant anteaters on the savannah and saw one the second time round, which was brilliant. We watched Victoria Amazonica lillies bloom on an oxbow lake surrounded by birds and caiman which was lovely. The guides were excellent, especially Kevin who had a lot of knowledge about the area and could identify practically every species we saw, including the bats. There were rum punch sundowners in the boats in the evenings.
As I said at the beginning of this post, I could have stayed another night here. There were so many habitats (mangroves, oxbow lakes, woodlands, savannah and the Rupununi River itself) and a lot of lovely wildlife. The rum punch was good too :)
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed 3 nights in this lodge and it was probably the best in terms of facilities and comfort. The food was good and plentiful and we were offered things here we hadn't seen all holiday - porridge, breakfast cereals and even milk! Rum punch comes for free at all hours and laundry is also free of charge and quick. The staff are friendly and helpful and the service is good, The cabins are not sealed so insects in the rooms are inevitable, as with many lodges, but the mosquito nets mean you get an undisturbed nights sleep.
However, the real highlight of the stay here is the wildlife - early morning trips out into the Savanna to see anteaters (twice), evening trips to see the giant lily pads, walks and boat trips on the river with some great wildlife viewing of otters, birds and monkeys. The lodge also has rescue otters which you can watch being fed down by the river. We stayed here 3 nights and could have stayed longer.
However, the real highlight of the stay here is the wildlife - early morning trips out into the Savanna to see anteaters (twice), evening trips to see the giant lily pads, walks and boat trips on the river with some great wildlife viewing of otters, birds and monkeys. The lodge also has rescue otters which you can watch being fed down by the river. We stayed here 3 nights and could have stayed longer.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our favourite place to stay in Guyana. Don't expect air-conditioned luxury. Expect to feel welcomed, comfortable, informed about life in the region and to experience the thrill of searching for unique wildlife. The food and rum punches are great, too. Thank you, Melanie and friends.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Be on time for trips: departures are punctual.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really enjoyed our two nights here. In particular, our guides Kenneth and Guy were especially good at ensuring we got to see what we wanted - giant anteaters, river otters and lots of interesting birds.
We also enjoyed the communal meals with Edward and Michelle, and the standard of food was high.
We would happily have stayed longer as there was plenty to do.
We also enjoyed the communal meals with Edward and Michelle, and the standard of food was high.
We would happily have stayed longer as there was plenty to do.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sorry we did not see this before- please
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"I was on the extreme edge of the ranch and the views towards the mountains were just gorgeous."Read full review
ALSO KNOWN AS
karanambu ranch hotel rupununi
LOCATION
GuyanaRupununi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingKARANAMBU LODGE (RANCH) - 2025 Reviews (Rupununi, Guyana) - Photos of Ranch - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)
What are some of the property amenities at Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Does Karanambu Lodge (Ranch) have airport transportation?
Yes, Karanambu Lodge (Ranch) offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are pets allowed at Karanambu Lodge (Ranch)?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Karanambu Lodge (Ranch) offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Is Karanambu Lodge (Ranch) accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.