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An Overview of Sloth Island in Guyana

September 28, 2014 12:05 am    |    by Jonny Blair

Situated on the Essequibo River  opposite the township of Bartica, Sloth Island is happy to be Nature’s very own  paradise.  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 .Time would flow by with the rhythm of the waves of the Essequibo river  while .magnetic and magical was the discovery of nature’s secrets including the many birds,unknown species of  trees, the tropical rain ,the hot sun, the tides,the lively  monkeys,the enigmatic sloths,the six o,clock bee,the howlers in close proximity, the friendly paddling Amerindians.    It just became a home away from home. Over a number of years a five acre sliver of dry land was created in an ongoing land reclamation drive.  The birds and the wildlife stayed, delighting the many friends and visitors   who loved it all.

Touring the gorgeous Sloth Island in Guyana

Touring the gorgeous Sloth Island in Guyana

Today, the trullis and wooden houses have been replaced by a modern, friendly , exclusive and breezy eight room house. The rooms are spacious, well-appointed and self-contained   .Rain water is collected in tanks and is used in the kitchen and bathrooms . Drinking water is brought in from bartica in sealed containers.

Facts about Sloth Island:

  • Sloth Island’s main house is of concrete and consists of a ground floor (285 m²) with four (4) tiled self-contained spacious rooms, a kitchen and a breezy reception and verandah area, overlooking the Essequibo River.
  • The upper floor (285 m²) has three (3) self-contained wooden-floored bedrooms and a very spacious reading and relaxation area. It has a verandah that offers you a breath taking view of the Essequibo River and the Island of Bartica.

 

  • The tower consists of a private secluded room space (20m²) high above the building with magnificent views.

 

  • A walkway connects the main house to a very large two-roof benab (65 m²) which houses an open recreation area, restaurant and bar.

 

  • Further south of the layout you have a volleyball court, tables and seating area enough to accommodate 30 people in the shade of trees and benches for relaxation.

 

  • To the further south again you have a typical trullis house (45 m²) which can accommodate up to ten (10) persons in hammocks and or beds.

 

  • Enjoy the scenery under the shades of the trees in hammocks as you overlook the Essequibo River.

 

  • At Sloth Island you will find a range of habitats due to variations in plant communities.

Over 188 species of birds, 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!

Sloth Island, Guyana

Sloth Island, Guyana

  • Rooms :
    The rooms at Sloth Island are spacious, tiled and have en suite bathrooms with shower. Each room is equipped with the following:
  • 1 queen and 1 double bed
  • Desk
  • Clothes horse
  • Tables
  • Bed-side tables
  • Chairs
  • Fans
  • Paintings and arte facts

 

Activities  include:

  • Bird watching
  • Wildlife spotting
  • Hiking/nature walks
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Volley Ball
  • Swimming
  • Cricket
  • Board games
  • Nocturnal wildlife spotting

 

Rates:

Minimum 3 nights stay = US$250 per room per night x 2 persons.

Minimum 2 nights stay= US$300 per room per night x 2 persons

Simple open style cabin for US$90 per person per night (minimum 3 persons)

Our rates include:

  • Accommodation
  • 3 meals (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • On island activities (nature, boating, volleyball, swimming, fishing, board games)
  • Complimentary Parrot Island tour, Fallmouth village tour,
  • Soft beverage and water

But, exclude:

  • Transfer from Georgetown / Sloth Island
  • Off island activities

Sloth Island offers you the option to visit Islands such as parrot Island and neighboring Bartica where you can meet the villagers and visit some sights at no additional cost.

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.

Sloth Island 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.

Flora

The uninhabited area is 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.

The Experience

When you step inside the Sloth Island reserve, you become a part of its life. For many, the resort  is a reminder of how wonderful and calming the simple things in life can be. Allow our friendly staff to show you to your guest room and enjoy the open recreation area. Unwind and let nature do the rest.

Rehydrate at the bar with a glass of fresh water, lemonade, coconut water or something stronger.

Share stories with your companions. Spot unusual birds, and listen to the sounds of the forest. Familiarize yourself with the reserve and enjoy a good book from our library. Cosy up in a hammock in the shade of the trees and enjoy. If a nature walk or swim or paddling in the water trail is what you desire, our staff will be delighted to assist.

Dinner at Sloth Island is an event unto its own. Homely intimate meals are served in the 2 roof benab (Amerindian word meaning meeting house) and shared with the host on many occasions. Our incredible kitchen staff truly enjoy bringing only the best culinary delights to the table daily. After dinner you may want to take a short stroll around the area, unwind and retreat to the living room, gaze at the stars from the open patio, perhaps a game of scrabble or chess from our games collection, or a smooth drink.

In the morning let the smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast entice you from your cosy room. A buffet breakfast awaits you at 8:00am and is always a feast for everyone’s taste-buds

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