Relax, recharge and rejuvenate! How? By visiting the amazing, paradisiac Sloth Island. Where is Sloth Island? Sloth Island is situated on a beautiful island of pristine rainforest in the Essequibo River. The three mile and five minute boat ride from Bartica makes Sloth Island an ideal destination for birders and vacationers. From this island one can access exciting excursions to Amerindian villages, waterfalls, rapids and pristine rainforest.
Origin of Sloth Island Nature Resort
Sloth Island was once a neglected, uninhabited paradise. This setting, which is situated on a beautiful 160 area of unspoilt greenery, was soon to be changed into something spectacular. In 1997, the swampy island was rediscovered by bird watcher and enthusiastic entrepreneur R. Ades who turned the uninhabited, inhospitable island into his very personal haven of tranquility. Work began on the swampy northern point and the five acre area was built up and traditional buildings were constructed by Amerindians from the Agatash area. When the first guests visited Sloth Island, they were greeted with traditional cabins. Today, a three level modern facility which overlooks the Essequibo River is surrounded by 155 acres of unchanged vegetation.
Did You Know?
Sloth Island was the first true attempt at building a facility specifically to cater to holiday makers and like-minded nature lovers and wildlife viewers.
Facilities At Sloth Island
- Main House: The main house is of concrete and consists of a ground floor with four tiled self-contained spacious rooms, a kitchen and a breezy reception and veranda area. The upper floor has three self-contained wooden-floored bedrooms and a very spacious reading and relaxation area.
- Tower: The tower consists of a private secluded room space high above the building with magnificent views.
- Benab: A walkway connects the main house to a very large two-roof benab which houses an open recreation area, restaurant and bar.
- Seating Area: Further south you will find a volleyball court, tables and seating area for thirty people in the shade of trees and benches for relaxation.
- Trullis House: There is a typical trullis house which can accommodate up to ten persons in hammocks and/or beds.
- Rooms: There are 8 rooms. Each room is equipped with one queen and one double bed, desk, wardrobe, clothes horse, tables, bed-side tables, chairs, fans, paintings and artefacts.
- Restaurant and Bar: Homely intimate meals are served in the two-roof benab (Amerindian word meaning meeting house) and shared with the host on many occasions. The incredible kitchen staff truly enjoy bringing only the best culinary delights to the table daily.
- Buffet Breakfast: In the morning let the smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast entice you from your cozy room. A buffet breakfast awaits you at 8:00am and is always a feast for everyone’s taste-buds.
Activities At Sloth Island
Bird Watching: A 1.5km trail connects the northern point to a high area known as ‘the farm’. A two days survey identified 188 species of birds on the island including toucans, manakins, woodpeckers, parrots, tanagers, falcons, swifts, hummingbirds, tyrant flycatchers and many more.
Flora Scenery: There is an uninhabited area of 155 acres of dense mixed forest with vegetation which includes red and black mangroves, cabbage palm, mora, corkwood, crabwood, bloodwood, antswood, walaba, dalli, arisau, mani, wild cocoa, monkey pot, kurukai, congapump, silk cotton and manicole trees.
Wildlife Spotting: There are 5 species of monkeys, sloths, opossums, capybara, lizards, toads, and the blue morpho butterfly are just a few of the species the island has to offer.
Other Activities: This includes canoeing, volleyball, swimming, fishing, board games, cricket, hiking/nature walks, kayaking.
Tour: There is a complimentary Parrot Island tour.
Tip: A Harpy Eagle was spotted at Sloth Island on the 2nd August, 2014.
Tours To Sloth Island
One Night Package:
- Day 1 – Depart Georgetown and transfer to Sloth Island Nature Resort. Parrot Island tour and nature walk. Lunch and Dinner provided. Overnight.
- Day 2 – Early morning tour searching for sloths and monkeys. Tour of nearby village. Breakfast. Return to Georgetown.
Two Nights Package:
- Day 1 – Depart Georgetown. Transfer to Sloth Island for overnight. Transfer to Parrot Island. Dinner provided.
- Day 2 – Paddle/ Kayak to nearby Amerindian Village. Searching for the Harpy Eagle. Nature walks. Mazaruni River and Rainforest tour. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.
- Day 3 – Sloth Spotting. Return to Georgetown. Breakfast provided.
Day Tour:
- 07:00 departure from Georgetown going west over the Demerara Bridge and enjoy a scenic highway drive west of Georgetown, to the town of Parika.
- Join a boat to the beautiful and breathtaking Sloth Island; savor your exclusive getaway.
- You will see a variety of flora and fauna; enjoy the nature trails or just relax in hammocks under trees.
How To Get To Sloth Island?
Sloth Island is to be reached by boat from Parika (one hour) or by plane to Bartica (15 minutes) from Georgetown, and 5 minutes by boat from Bartica. It is close to the Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers, Marshall Falls, Trutruba Falls, Kyk-Over-Al Island (first Dutch settlement 1616), Parrot Island (night refuge for thousands of parrots), Eddy Grant’s Island (world famous singing superstar) and many Amerindian settlements. It is also close to the gold mining areas of Groote Creek, Blue Mountain, Puruni, Oko and Omai.
Contact Information:
- Sloth Island Reserve
- Address: Essequibo River,Guyana
- Tel: 227-5575/223-7921
- Mobile: 592-610-7597/610-2408
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Website: www.slothisland.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slothIsland
Sloth Island In Guyana
Sloth Island is indeed a beautiful place to getaway and relax with your family or even go on a romantic date with that special someone. You can spot unusual birds, listen to the sounds of the forest, familiarize yourself with the reserve and also enjoy a good book from the library. If you don’t feel like doing much you can cozy up in a hammock in the shade of the trees and enjoy but if a nature walk or swim or paddling in the water trail is what you desire, the staff will be delighted to assist. Whatever you choose, you are bound to enjoy nature at its best!
Article References:
- https://www.slothisland.com/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1729496-d6622720-Reviews-Sloth_Island-Essequibo_Islands_West_Demerara.html
- http://dontstopliving.net/a-paradise-in-guyana-sloth-island-resort/
- http://www.crossingworldborders.com/an-overview-of-sloth-island-in-guyana/
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