The Essequibo River above Bartica is one of the least-visited river systems in South America — wide, tea-dark, studded with forested islands, and full of wildlife. Boat trips can be arranged from Bartica's waterfront for a few hours or a full day, exploring the river and its islands. You are likely to see egrets, kingfishers, and possibly otters; black caiman patrol the quieter banks after dark.
The trip up the Mazaruni River towards the mining interior is a different experience — more industrial, with the detritus of gold dredging visible along stretches of bank — but gives an honest picture of what drives the Guyanese interior economy. Both trips are best arranged through local boatmen at the waterfront; there is no formal tour operator structure and prices are negotiable.