The central forest follows the two-wet-season pattern of the coast, with the heaviest rain from about May to July. It is hot and humid all year, a little cooler at night.
Season by season
February to April: dry season
Dependable weather, good road conditions and the best odds on the jaguar road. Rivers fall, exposing sandbanks and the Kurupukari petroglyphs.
May to August: long rains
Heavy rain, a high river and muddy trails; the road can be slow. Fewer guests, and the forest is full of fruit, frogs and fungi. Petroglyphs are under water.
September to November: second dry season
Hot, with the river dropping again. Excellent for river wildlife, birding and travel onward to the Rupununi.
December and January: short rains
Showery but usually manageable, with good birding and cock-of-the-rock activity beginning nearby.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | For a visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30 °C | 22 °C | Wet | Good |
| February | 31 °C | 22 °C | Showers | Best |
| March | 31 °C | 23 °C | Showers | Best |
| April | 31 °C | 23 °C | Wet | Good |
| May | 30 °C | 23 °C | Very wet | Mixed |
| June | 30 °C | 23 °C | Very wet | Poor |
| July | 30 °C | 22 °C | Very wet | Mixed |
| August | 31 °C | 22 °C | Wet | Good |
| September | 32 °C | 23 °C | Showers | Best |
| October | 32 °C | 23 °C | Dry | Best |
| November | 32 °C | 23 °C | Showers | Best |
| December | 31 °C | 22 °C | Wet | Good |
Temperatures are rounded approximations for the area and the rain and rating columns describe a typical year; the rains regularly arrive early or late, so treat this as a guide only.
Festivals & events
- All yearResearch season
Visiting scientists and students often share the River Lodge; evening talks are sometimes offered. - SeptemberAmerindian Heritage Month
Celebrations in Fair View and the neighbouring Makushi villages.
Visitor numbers & booking ahead
With so few rooms, “busy” means the lodge is full, not that the forest is. Atta in particular sells out for the dry-season months, when birding groups reserve a year ahead. Book two to three months in advance for February–April and September–November; in the rains you can often arrange a stay at short notice.
