By Abigail Headley
Thanks to Savannah Tours Guyana (STG), adventure seekers and adrenalin junkies can expect a thrilling ATV tour through Guyana’s Hilly Sand and Clay Region. Savannah Tours is the only tour company in this area that provides this service, offering a new and exciting experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Managing Director of the company, Shane Dandrade told this newspaper that the ATV tour makes for a wonderful experience that highlights the surrounding savannahs while building awareness about the numerous resources available there.
The Linden-Soesdyke Highway which is the main roadway leading into Guyana’s interior and the mining town of Linden is one of the locations used by STG and is the ideal provider of different terrains for ATV riding as the weather changes. Dandrade noted that thrill seekers can expect a variety of terrains through which to ride their ATVs, including sand, clay, rocks, grassland, and hills.
As safety is a top priority for the company, the team at Savannah Tours spends half an hour showing each guest how to start, stop, change gears, and maneuver the ATV, providing a crash course on how to handle the bike according to the terrain. As such, even those who have never before ridden an ATV bike can do so without being afraid. Additionally, the staff conducts daily inspections of the ATVs, ensuring guests’ safety by throttling the bikes to a maximum of 25km/h, providing helmets, dust masks, and making comfortable boots and jeans/pants a requirement.
STG’s ATV tours is somewhat unique from what is offered by other tourist companies, in that while motorcycle and off-road riding are some of the most popular non-water adventures, the ATV tour offers a DIY adventure. Also, as the ATV tours are done on the trails through and around communities, residents are encouraged to showcase their culture to tourists, making for a wholesome experience.
The company is owned and operated by a resident of Yarrowkabra and offers jobs to the youths of the community. This, Dandrade said, encourages them to complete training programmes and offer support to the community’s youth sports teams.
Not only does STG offer adventure to tourists and opportunity to youths in the community, but the company is committed to other causes. These comprise sustainability and community development, highlighting Guyana’s savannahs of the Hilly Sand and Clay with guided expeditions.
Dandrade pointed out that ATV tours worldwide are growing, and local and international tourists are excited to experience the adventure. He noted that despite misconceptions about frequent accidents, tourists have given full 5-star ratings to Savannah Tours.
“One memorable experience that we had is with two female tourists, who were riding for the first time, [and] got stuck in the trails. They refused our help as they wanted to get the ATV out themselves. It was fun to watch them try, and they were covered in mud by the time they got it out,” the Managing Director recalled.
He also added that Moraikobai is one of the longest and best trips offered by the company and entails amazing views across different terrains. However, because the terrain can change with the weather, there is the need for everyone to work together during bad patches on the trails.
While the touring company’s ATV tours are not the first of their kind in Guyana, they are expected to add tremendously to the tourism industry, offering a surreal adventure that can be enjoyed by both locals and international tourists. Most recently, in observance of World Tourism Day, the Guyana Tourism Authority launched 15 new tourism products. Savannah Tours’ ATV tours was among the 15, giving the company further recognition.
Located at Yarrowkabra, just an hour from Georgetown and close to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, Savannah Tours offers a convenient location for travel.
STG can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Savannahdrivegy/
