Canaima NP

Canaima National Park lies in south-eastern Venezuela, along the borders of Brazil and Guyana. With an area of more 30,000 sq km, it is the second-largest national park in Venezuela and the 6th largest in the world.

Some 65% of the park features geologically fascinating table mountain (tepui) formations, and the sheer cliffs(reaching heights over 1,000 m) and waterfalls, including the world’s highest waterfall (Angel Falls), make Canaima an extraordinarily spectacular place. 

Most of it is unexplored rainforest wilderness and some savanna, with rich fauna: 118 mammal species, 550 birds, 72 reptiles and 55 amphibians have been recorded. Birdlife includes red-shoulder macaw, toucans, dusky parrot, harpy eagle and beautiful hummingbirds. Other wildlife includes cougar and jaguar, two-toed sloth, giant armadillo, giant otter, green iguana, and the green dart frog. 

The area has been occupied for some 10,000 years by various groups of Amerindians of the Carib family, collectively known as the Pemon.

Roraima is one of the world’s oldest – and strangest – geological formations, an ecological island plateau, cut off from surrounding country by a vast drop on all sides. At 2,810m, it is the highest tepui in the park (and the highest point in the Guyana Highland Range) and also most accessible for climbing, although everything is relative here, so the climb to the plateau is challenging. Its plateau summit area covers 31 sq km, with cliffs surrounding it on all sides of at least 400m high. An extraordinary combination of erosion sculpture, sink-holes and quartzite caves, and flora and fauna so unique it is described as “the Galapagos of the skies”. Superb views down across the surrounding plains – when the cloud allows. It is located in the south-eastern corner of the national park.  A visit takes 5 days upward and is a demanding expedition.  

Auyan Tepui in the Guiana Highlands covers some 670sq km; while the most visited tepui, it is not the largest of them.  It has steep sides, but not as consistently sheer as Roraima.   Its south-eastern side is the highest. There are several large cave systems and its plateau terrain is home to 25 different species of amphibians and reptiles. Angel Falls pour off it.

The stupendous Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world (979m); and has the tallest uninterrupted plunge (of 807m). A long journey in, with a long-canoe trip followed by a fairly strenuous 90 minute hike. Ie, it is worth spending a night there.

El Sapo Waterfall: delightful short (35minute?) forest hike to this beautiful waterfall, which, thrillingly, you can walk behind. Gorgeous large pool to cool off in. Often done as part of an Angel Falls expedition.

https://national-parks.org/venezuela/canaima has good information.

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