Canaima National Park is popular with tourists with its waterfalls, cliffs, ancient scenic mountains, and rich vegetation. In the reserve there are preserved mountains of hard sandstone, characterized by unusual reliefs. You can reach the park by plane or by car from Ciudad Bolivar.
History of Canaima National Park in South America
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The Canaima National Park in Venezuela is located in South America. The picturesque natural landmark was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. Earlier, more than half a century ago (in 1962), the land was given the status of a park, protected areas. However, picturesque places with mountains, waterfalls, tropical vegetation attracted travelers since ancient times.
Canaima is the 2nd largest nature reserve in Venezuela. It covers an area of more than 30 thousand square kilometers. The status of protected areas in the country has prevented the loss of rare species of vegetation, the destruction of flat-topped mountains. In the hard-to-reach places for tourists preserved unusual insects, animals and birds.
The tropical reserve is popular with tourists. People come to the park to climb unusual mountains in the tropics, view picturesque canyons, explore endemic varieties of tropical plants.
Travelers move around the territory on foot in groups or rafting on the reservoirs in a canoe.
In the western part of the nature reserve is the settlement of Canaima, in the east are Puerto Ordas and Santa Elena de Huiren. The sites are home to the Pemon Indian tribe. The representatives of a small people from ancient times worshipped unusual mountains and believed that the spirits of the mawari live on the highlands. In modern times, locals help tourists in the tour guide, selling national souvenirs.
Ancient tepuis – the main natural attractions of Canaima Park
The Ancient Table Mountains (tepui) are located on the Guiana Plateau of South America. The natural formations are formed from sandstone. Scientists estimate that the formation of the mountainous terrain occurred at a time when South America and Africa were one continent.
The mountains are characterized by unusual topography, precipices, steep slopes, which are similar to the tops of the truncated pyramids. Elevations in the park – about 100.
The most popular objects:
- Roraima;
- Auyang-Tepui;
- Autana;
- Pico Phelps;
- Cerro-Marahuaca et al.
One of Autana’s popular tepui rises over boulders, tropical plants at 1,300 meters. The mountain plateau is characterized by a combination of unusual rock shapes, clefts, and sinkholes filled with spring water.
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Mount Auyang-Tepui
The highest mountain in Venezuela is called Auyang-Tepui. The flat plateau covers an area of more than 700 square kilometers. The jets of Angel Falls (recognized as the highest Angel Falls studied in the world) fall from the top. The area is often enveloped in fog, as. Because of the high drop height, the water turns into a splash. Plateau – 3,000 m above sea level.
Mount Roraima
The altitude of the tepui of Roraima is 2,810 meters. The plateau is about 34 square kilometers in area. The surface of the mountain is covered with tropical vegetation, cliffs, hollows, boulders of bizarre shapes, small caves, wetlands, small lakes.
The Indians call the hill “the navel of the earth” and believe in the residence at the top of the goddess Quin. In the vicinity of Mount Roraima is high humidity due to the large number of reservoirs, waterfalls nearby. Severe thunderstorms are observed in the area.
The park’s picturesque waterfalls are a must-see for every tourist
There are many unusual waterfalls in the park, including. the highest in the world. Popular among travelers water bodies of the reserve include:
- Angel;
- Kukenan;
- Arapan Meru;
- Soroape et al.
The highest waterfall in the world Angel
A landmark in the western part of the reserve. The height of the waterfall is 979 m. The streams originate from the Auyang-Tepui Plateau. Water falls from a very high altitude, so the jets do not reach the gorge of the river Kerep. A water fog is constantly held in the vicinity.
The waterfall was discovered and mapped by explorer Ernesto de la Cruz in the first half of the 20th century.
However, the object was not widely known in the world. Subsequently, in 1933, an American pilot made a survey of the areas to search for large deposits of ore. After the damage to the plane, the team was unable to continue the research. The pilot had to land on Auyang-Tepui and descend from the high ground. It took 11 days to travel through the slopes and rainforests.
Kukenan Falls
The second highest waterfall in Venezuela, one of the largest in the world. The water falls from 674 m, the last part of the stream flowing down to the base of Kukenan Tepui. The attraction is located near Mount Roraima, which delineates part of the border between Venezuela and neighboring states.
Other spectacular waterfalls in Canaima Park
On the list of popular waterfalls in the park:
- Arapan Meru. The picturesque waterfall is located in a park, surrounded by tropical jungle and steep cliffs. Its height is 25 m. The water is clean, transparent, jets of low power. There is an Indian village nearby.
- Soroape. It is close to the border with Brazil. The site is part of the Gran Sabana region and is visited as part of guided tours of the region. The waterfall is low, surrounded by picturesque tropical vegetation.
- Roraima. The waterfall is located on the mountain of the same name. The streams flow down from the tepuis in 4 steps. The height of the jets is at 610 m.
Flora and fauna of the reserve
The reserve has South American transitional zone nature, as. combines plains and mountainous terrain. Evergreen forests occur on flat slopes. The park concentrates endemic plants (over 300 species). Bromeliads and orchids are common here because of the right level of humidity and high temperatures. There are large areas of moss shoots. The foothills are surrounded by trees. Grasses and bushes grow on the tops.
The animal world of the reserve is represented by monkeys, large anteaters, jaguars, cougars, etc. There are tapirs, capybaras and otters in the area. Chameleons, caimans, and agoutis are found in the foothills. The world of birds is represented by owls, hummingbirds and parrots.
What interesting tours and attractions are available to tourists in the park
On the territory of the park tourists are offered tours of the lagoon by canoe. The trip includes a tour of four waterfalls. Ukaima, Golondrina tourists explore from the water, under Sapo and Acha you can walk along the landscaped path for travelers between the jets of waterfalls and rocks.
Excursions go to the large and spectacular Angel Falls. Trips are made by boats, planes from Caracas, Puerto Ordaz, Margarita and other localities. On a voyage by water, you can explore the unusual Orchid Island.
Tourists are offered flights and a visit to an Indian village. The settlement has preserved the atmosphere of the life of ancient people. Aborigines maintain traditions, religious rituals, and pass on legends.
Where Canaima Park is located and how to get there
The national park is located in southwestern Venezuela (Bolivar State) and borders Guyana, Brazil. The reserve can be accessed by small aircraft. Travel reservations are available from Caracas, Puerto Ayacucho, Puerto Ordaz and other cities in the country.
Tourists travel through the park on foot or by canoe or boat. The village of Canaima is located near Angel Falls. After arriving at the airport of the locality you must pay the fee to visit the natural landmark.
There are organized campgrounds, eco-hotels, and national outbuildings in Canaima. Nearby are open catering establishments. Living quarters are equipped with electricity, hot water. Tourists who have booked rooms in hotels are offered an escort from the airport to the hotel complex, catering and guide services.
What time of year it is best to visit Canaima Park
The climate in the region is equatorial, characterized by alternating air masses. The temperature varies slightly throughout the year and depends on the altitude of the area. The coastal areas are very hot in summer, with high humidity. It’s cooler at higher elevations.
It is recommended to visit the nature reserve during the rainy season from January to May. During this period, the volume of water in waterfalls and lakes decreases. However, there are no heavy rains.
Precautions to take care of before you travel
When visiting the park, it is important to consider the time of year, the weather conditions, and the high humidity of the tropics. It is necessary in advance to rent rooms in hotels, guest houses. Complexes are small, in the form of palm houses, which are harmoniously blended into the landscape.
It is important to travel through the jungle as part of a tour group, accompanied by a guide, because. the park is remote from other settlements.
