Kaieteur National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including several endangered and endemic species. The park is famous for its population of tiny Golden Rocket Frogs (Anomaloglossus beebei), which live their entire lives in the Giant Tank Bromeliads. Other notable species include the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, known for its brilliant orange plumage, White-chinned Swifts that nest behind the falls, and various species of macaws and toucans. The park also harbors mammals such as Giant River Otters, Jaguars, and several monkey species, though these are rarely seen by visitors.
The park harbors pristine rainforest vegetation with over 300 documented plant species. Notable flora includes the endemic Giant Tank Bromeliad (Brocchinia micrantha), which can grow up to 3 meters tall and is known for being carnivorous. The park also features numerous orchid species, including the Guiana Cock-of-the-rock's favorite nesting plant, the Golden Shower Orchid. Giant mora trees, rubber trees, and various palm species dominate the canopy. The area around the falls features unique moisture-loving plants adapted to the constant spray, including rare ferns and mosses.
The park sits on the ancient Guiana Shield, one of the oldest rock formations on Earth, dating back over two billion years. Kaieteur Falls drops 741 feet (226 meters) in a single plunge over a sandstone and conglomerate cliff, making it one of the world's highest single-drop waterfalls. The falls are formed where the Potaro River plunges over the edge of the Pakaraima Mountains plateau. The geological formation consists primarily of sandstone with intrusions of diabase, creating the distinctive escarpment over which the falls cascade. The constant erosion by the river has created a deep gorge below the falls.
Kaieteur Falls was first discovered by Europeans in 1870 when British geologist Charles Barrington Brown came across it during his exploration of British Guiana. The falls are named after Kai, a Patamona chief who sacrificed himself by canoeing over the falls to protect his people and appease Makonaima, the great spirit. The area was designated as a National Park in 1929, making it one of the oldest protected areas in South America. The park has historically been sacred to the indigenous Patamona people, who have lived in the region for centuries and continue to maintain strong cultural connections to the land.
The centerpiece of the park is Kaieteur Falls, which is four times higher than Niagara Falls and twice the height of Victoria Falls. The falls' unique combination of height and water volume makes it one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. Notable viewpoints include Boy Scout View, Rainbow View, and Johnson's View, each offering different perspectives of the falls. The park features several other attractions including the Giant Tank Bromeliad fields, numerous hiking trails, and the famous 'Devil's Village' rock formation. Visitors can also observe the rare phenomenon of rainbows forming in the falls' mist, particularly during morning hours.
Kaieteur National Park experiences a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity year-round. The region has two wet seasons (May-July and November-January) and two dry seasons (February-April and August-October). Average temperatures range from 24°C to 29°C (75-84°F) throughout the year. Rainfall is substantial, with annual precipitation averaging 2,400mm (94 inches). The best time to visit is during the dry seasons when the falls are less intense and visibility is better, though the park is accessible year-round. Morning visits typically offer clearer views before afternoon clouds and mist develop.
Guyana
5.1720°, -59.4820°
1929
627.4
Kaieteur National Park features the iconic Kaieteur Falls, one of the world's highest single-drop waterfalls at 741 feet. The park encompasses pristine rainforest and is home to unique wildlife including the tiny golden rocket frog. It represents one of Guyana's most important natural landmarks and tourist destinations.