Covering 80% of the country, yet home to just 2% of the population, Guyana’s rainforest is some of the most pristine on earth. In this well-preserved jungle there is a real chance of seeing wildlife that would be endangered elsewhere, such as jaguar, various monkey species, armadillos, tapirs and red-rumped agoutis. Local Amerindian villages have found that opening up to small-scale tourism can reap very real benefits for the community and provide authentic opportunities for cultural exchange with travellers.