Atta Rainforest Lodge

The lowdown: If you’re looking for a secluded and serene escape in the wilderness, look no further than Atta Rainforest Lodge. This eco-friendly lodge is run by a local Makushi Amerindian couple who are passionate about nature and conservation. They have created eight simple but cosy rooms, each set on a wooden platform and surrounded by trees. The rooms have open-air showers that use rainwater, solar-powered lights and lanterns, and natural and recycled materials for furniture and decorations. The rooms have no electricity or hot water, but that’s part of the charm. You’ll feel like you’re sleeping in a treehouse, with hummingbirds and monkeys as your neighbours.

The lodge has a communal area with a dining room, a lounge and a bar. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with local dishes such as chicken curry, fish stew and cassava bread. The lounge has sofas, books and games. The bar has cold drinks and snacks. The lodge also has a generator that provides electricity for charging devices at certain times.

The lodge is close to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, which is a 15-minute walk along a forest trail. The walkway is a series of suspension bridges and platforms that reach up to 30 metres above the ground. The walkway allows you to see the forest from a different perspective and observe its wildlife. You can see birds such as toucans, macaws and harpy eagles, as well as sloths, monkeys and spiders.

The lodge also offers guided tours with the staff, who can show you around the forest and tell you about its plants and animals. You can also learn about their culture and history. You can also visit other parts of the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, which covers 3710 square kilometres of protected forest. You can visit the Iwokrama River Lodge, which is on the banks of the Essequibo River. You can take boat trips on the river and see caimans, otters and dolphins. You can also visit Turtle Mountain, which is a 4-hour hike up to a viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the forest.

The good stuff: We love the feeling of being immersed in nature at Atta Rainforest Lodge. We love the cosy rooms with their open-air showers and lanterns. We love the gardens that attract hummingbirds and other birds. We love the walkway that gives us a glimpse of the forest canopy and its wildlife. We love the local expertise and hospitality of the staff, who make us feel at home.

The not-so-good stuff: If you’re looking for luxury or convenience, this might not be the place for you. The rooms have no electricity or hot water, and there is no restaurant on site. You might also encounter some bugs or critters in your room or on the walkway. But if you’re looking for an authentic and adventurous experience in the rainforest, you’ll love it here.

The verdict: Atta Rainforest Lodge is a rustic and romantic lodge in the heart of the Iwokrama Rainforest, with access to the canopy walkway and wildlife galore. It’s perfect for nature lovers who want to get away from it all and enjoy a unique rainforest retreat.

Why stay?

Because you’ll love the feeling of being surrounded by nature, with hummingbirds, monkeys and tapirs visiting the lodge grounds. You’ll also love the opportunity to explore the forest canopy from the walkway, where you can spot birds, sloths and monkeys. And you’ll love the local expertise and hospitality of the staff, who will make you feel at home.

What’s it like?

The lodge has eight simple but cosy rooms, each with a double bed or twin beds, a mosquito net, a fan and an attached bathroom. The bathroom has a sink, a toilet and an open-air shower that uses rainwater. The rooms have no electricity or hot water, but there are solar-powered lights and lanterns. The rooms are decorated with local crafts and paintings.

The lodge has a communal area with a dining room, a lounge and a bar. The dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with local dishes such as chicken curry, fish stew and cassava bread. The lounge has sofas, books and games. The bar has cold drinks and snacks. The lodge also has a generator that provides electricity for charging devices at certain times.

The lodge has lovely gardens that attract over 12 species of hummingbirds and other birds. The gardens also lead to the forest edge, where you can see deer, monkeys, agoutis and sometimes tapirs. The lodge also has a fire pit where you can enjoy a bonfire at night.

The lodge is close to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, which is a 15-minute walk along a forest trail. The walkway is a series of suspension bridges and platforms that reach up to 30 metres above the ground. The walkway allows you to see the forest from a different perspective and observe its wildlife. You can see birds such as toucans, macaws and harpy eagles, as well as sloths, monkeys and spiders.

Deep in the heart of the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, one of the most pristine rainforests left in the world, Atta Rainforest Lodge is like a hidden oasis in the wilderness. Its eight cosy rooms, nestled among the trees, offer a complete immersion in the rainforest experience. You can watch hummingbirds and monkeys from your window, or shower under the stars with rainwater. The lodge is also close to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, a series of suspension bridges and platforms that allow you to see the forest from a different perspective and observe its wildlife. You can spot birds such as toucans, macaws and harpy eagles, as well as sloths, monkeys and spiders. This magical scene inspired Samantha and Bernie, a local Makushi Amerindian couple with a passion for nature and conservation. Conscious to protect the environment but keen to share its beauty, they run the lodge with a team of local guides and naturalists. The whole property is off-grid, and you’re encouraged to get back to nature. Relax in your room or in the communal area, where you can enjoy meals made with local ingredients. Explore the forest and the walkway with the staff, who can show you around and tell you about its plants and animals. You can also learn about their culture and history.

But what makes this lodge even more special is its commitment to sustainability and green practices. The lodge uses solar-powered lights and lanterns, as there is no electricity in the rooms. The lodge also uses rainwater for showers and toilets, and recycles or composts its waste. The lodge uses natural and recycled materials for its furniture and decorations, such as wood, stone and crafts. The lodge also supports the local community and economy, by sourcing local produce for its hampers and meals. The lodge also donates a percentage of its profit to Surfers Against Sewage, a charity that fights against marine litter, water quality and climate change¹.