Kaieteur flows all year. The choice is between the fullest water, during and after the rains, and the clearest skies and most reliable flights, in the dry seasons. The plateau is a few degrees cooler than the coast.
Season by season
February to April: dry season
Good flying weather and clear views. The river falls steadily, and by April the curtain of water can be noticeably narrower — still a very large waterfall.
May to August: long rains
The falls at their widest and loudest, filling the gorge with spray. Cloud and showers mean more delayed or postponed flights, and the viewpoints can be wet and slippery.
September to November: second dry season
Often the best compromise: the river is still carrying water from the rains early on, and the skies are clearing.
December and January: short rains
A second, smaller peak in the flow, with changeable weather. Flights are busy over the holidays.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | For a visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27 °C | 19 °C | Wet | Good |
| February | 28 °C | 19 °C | Showers | Best |
| March | 28 °C | 20 °C | Showers | Best |
| April | 28 °C | 20 °C | Wet | Good |
| May | 27 °C | 20 °C | Very wet | Good |
| June | 27 °C | 20 °C | Very wet | Good |
| July | 27 °C | 19 °C | Very wet | Good |
| August | 28 °C | 19 °C | Wet | Best |
| September | 29 °C | 20 °C | Showers | Best |
| October | 29 °C | 20 °C | Showers | Best |
| November | 28 °C | 20 °C | Showers | Good |
| December | 27 °C | 19 °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
- Most weekendsShared tour flights
Saturday and Sunday departures are the likeliest to reach minimum numbers. - Easter and ChristmasHoliday peaks
Visiting Guyanese fill seats; book several weeks ahead. - Early in the yearCock-of-the-rock displays
Males are most active at the lek in the first months of the year.
Visitor numbers & booking ahead
“Crowded” at Kaieteur means two or three aircraft on the strip. Visitor numbers are tiny by world standards, so there is nothing to avoid — the concern is the reverse, that on quiet weekdays there may be too few passengers for a flight to go. Book as early as you can, favour a weekend, and ask the operator a few days before which departures are confirmed.
