The Potaro River flows quietly across the Pakaraima plateau and then, without warning, drops 226 metres in a single unbroken fall — about four times the height of Niagara — before continuing over cascades to a total of some 250 metres. By the combination of height and volume, Kaieteur is counted among the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
What makes it extraordinary is the setting. Kaieteur National Park, established in 1929, protects the surrounding forest; there is one airstrip, a small visitor building and a few paths to natural rock viewpoints. On most days the only people at the falls are the passengers of one or two small aircraft. You stand on the bare lip of the gorge with the river sliding past your feet.
About 25 minutes’ flying to the west, Orinduik Falls on the Ireng River is the opposite kind of waterfall: low, wide steps of red jasper in open savannah, where you can swim. Some day tours combine the two.
Highlights
- The view from Rainbow View, Boy Scout View and Johnson’s View
- The flight itself: an hour over unbroken forest
- Tiny golden frogs living inside giant bromeliads
- The chance of a brilliant orange Guianan cock-of-the-rock
- Swimming in the cascades at Orinduik
- For the fit: the multi-day overland trek up the Potaro
How long to stay
A day trip of four to five hours from Georgetown is how nearly everyone sees Kaieteur. Combination flights with Orinduik or with Baganara Island make a full day. An overnight at the park guesthouse, or the overland trek of about five days, gives you the falls at dawn and dusk.
Best base
Base yourself in Georgetown, ideally with a hotel that makes the early drive to Ogle airport easy. The only accommodation at the falls is a simple park guesthouse, bookable through operators.
