Welcome to Canaima National Park!

Mount Roraima is the tallest tepuis in Canaima and the easiest to climb, while Auyantepui is renowned for the Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfalls. These uniquely shaped sandstone mountains hark back to an age when South America and Africa were once joined together as a massive continent. These are just some of the spectacular things to see and do in Canaima , and we offer Canaima tours to experience them.

Canaima is inhabited by the Pemon Indians, linguistically connected to the Carib group. Like many tribes worldwide, the Pemon have a deep, spiritual relationship with their land and believe that the tepuis are home to the ‘mawari' or guardian spirits of the savannah who are said to destroy the souls of the living. Instead of a normal hotel in Canaima , the more adventurous may have the opportunity to stay in one of their villages.

A few roads connect the park to towns close by; otherwise the area is far removed from civilisation. Getting around within the park is usually accomplished by foot, canoe or light plane (airstrips here were built by several Capuchin missions). A range of Canaima National Park tours with guides are there to help tourists

Thanks to its rich, yet fragile ecology and unique human culture, Canaima ranks high on the country's list of conservation priorities. Apart from its rare geographical features and wealth of biodiversity, Canaima is a protective area for nearly half of the Caroni River watershed that fuels one of the world's largest dams, the Guri hydroelectric dam, the power producer for much of Venezuelan industry.

Canaima means ‘spirit of evil', not exactly an encouraging name for tourists! Nevertheless, tourism is welcomed, though in a restricted fashion. The park's western region near Laguna de Canaima, accessible only by air, has designated sites for visitors where Canaima hotels and other accommodation, food, recreational facilities and Canaima tour guides are available. In the southeast corner of the park, there is a road that links Ciudad Bolivar to other areas.

Hotels in Canaima can be located on our very own Canaima map and then booked online. We also offer tours in Canaima National Park where our guides will help you to discover its secrets.

Canaima is a sanctuary for large populations of giant anteaters, jaguars, giant river otters, giant armadillos and ocelots, all endangered mammal species. The park's considerable area and isolation make it an ideal place to conserve tropical animal species with naturally low densities, or which are facing extinction elsewhere.

Almost half the neotropical birds that migrate in winter to South America are found here. Many dwindling species such as the American swallow-tailed kite, osprey, and broad-winged hawk can be spotted when on tour in Canaima. Nearly 100 bird species including 29 species unique to Canaima, inhabit the highlands. New species continue to be added, including harpy eagles, oil birds, seven known species of toucan and several parrot varieties such as the tepui parrotlet and fiery-shouldered parakeet. Among hummingbirds alone, Canaima is home to the peacock coquette, tepui golden-throat, rufous-breasted sabrewing and velvet-browned brilliant.

Thanks to the region's varied elevation and resultant differences in temperature and vegetation, there is an immense diversity of flora and fauna. Many of the species found here are endemic and rare. For instance, there are 9000 plant species that are not to be found elsewhere. The lowlands have tropical rainforests; the highest peaks are covered with shrubs and grasses. Possibly a third of the plant life here is unique to the region.

Already, moves are afoot to open up Venezuela's protected areas to mining. It would be worthwhile to pause and consider whether nature's riches, in the last of the world's truly wild regions, are not priceless compared to the wealth that can be mined from Canaima's earth. Many individuals and organisations dedicated to the cause of conservation are actively involved in resisting commercial interests. It is to be hoped that their efforts will bear fruit, so that Canaima's heritage will remain intact for future generations.