My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. During the previous months, you had the opportunity to get to know some of the countries of the unusual continent: South America, and during the month of September, I will show you the beauty of the country located in the very heart of this continent – Venezuela. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, where I will try to convey to you the beauty of the wilderness and untouched Venezuelan nature – Canaima National Park, which many say is the hidden gem of South America’s paradise nature, I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – MINTUR, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in Venezuela. With their help, travelogues from this exotic country were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.
Canaima National Park: A Hidden Venezuelan Gem of Untouched Wild Nature
I visited Venezuela in April of this year and had the great honor and pleasure of visiting one of the most famous national parks in the world – Canaima National Park, where I tried to visit all the sights. Canaima is a huge national park in southeastern Venezuela, with an area of about 30,000 km². It is the second largest in Venezuela and the sixth largest in the world. In 1994, UNESCO included it in the list of world natural heritage due to its spectacular rocks (tepu) and huge Angel Falls. It is fascinating that as much as 65% of the park’s territory consists of tepuis, steep flat mountains older than the Himalayas. This stunning combination of different landscapes leaves every visitor breathless.
Tepui Formations: Auyantepui, Roraima, Chimantá and Others
One of the most impressive sights in Canaima are the table-rocks called tepui. The most famous is the Roraima Massif, a mountain about 2,810 meters high, rising above endless green plateaus. Another important tepui is Auyan-tepui, whose cliffs hide the rise of the Angel Falls. Tepuis are the remains of prehistoric plains and represent a unique geological phenomenon, completely flat peaks with almost vertical cliffs. Every look at those stone pillars is engraved in the memory.
The tepuis dominate the landscape of Canaima, more than 65% of the park is occupied by these rock massifs with vertical cliffs and flat tops. Geologically, they represent the remains of a sedimentary cover plate of prehistoric sandstone resting on a granite bedrock almost 3 billion years old.
- Auyantepui is home to Salta Ángel; its geo-biological isolation encouraged the development of endemic plant species on the top of Auyantepui, as many as 900 species of higher plants have been identified, a significant part of which is endemic to that tepui.
- Roraima, with a height of about 2,763 m, is the highest and most accessible tepui, a favorite destination of mountaineers, the cliffs and the summit reflect the endless elegance of the old landscapes.
- Chimantá and other tepuis provide a kind of rock archipelago, complete isolation and extreme specialized biodiversity called Pantepui region with 33% endemism among 2,322 species of vascular plants and a minimum of 65 species restricted to the Guyana Shield.
The landscapes are futuristic, almost alien: tepua peaks covered with low forests (8-15 m), moss and specialized vegetation (e.g. Bonnetia neblinae, Podocarpus roraimae, Symplocos yapacanensis, etc.) almost stone gardens characterized by endurance and adaptation to mineral-poor soil.
Laguna Canaima
A large lake just below the tepu, which serves as a focal point for exploring the Canaima National Park, especially organized excursions around the waterfalls of El Hacha and El Sapo. An unusual experience in itself, it is enough to embark on a canoe adventure and feel the atmosphere of the rainforest.
The lake is very unusual, surrounded by palm trees and tropical trees, with viewpoints and forests that go down to the water itself. For me, this part of Canaima Park was a true oasis of peace, a perfect base for rest between adventures.
Angel Falls (Salto Ángel)
I was particularly impressed by Angel Falls, which is the heart of Canaima National Park and the landscape around it. According to the official available data, Angel Falls is an impressive 979 meters high, the highest free-falling waterfall in the world. The water cascades freely from the edge of the flat top of the Auyan-tepui rock, which is a truly mesmerizing sight. The water first falls freely and then forms an oblique cascade, if we look at the facts from the technical side, there is a secondary higher cascade of about 682 meters long after the first drop of 807 meters, although the first 807 meters are the main free fall.
I followed the guide’s instructions: it is best to see it from the air (plane or helicopter) and feel the specific mist as you approach it by plane. On the spot, the feeling is intense, the darkness of the canyon and a huge column of water disintegrating in the clouds. The waterfall is named after the American adventurer James “Jimmy” Angelo, who popularized it in 1937, after which the waterfall was named after him. After that, in 2009, the local name Kerepakupai Merú, as it is traditionally called by the Pemons, was introduced.
Climatically, the tepui Auyantepui from which the waterfall descends, is located in an extremely rainy area, where precipitation reaches 2,000 to 4,000 mm per year, and temperatures at the top are lower, around 9-12°C, and can drop to 2°C at night. This explains the constant fog and reflects the humidity that creates a drastic atmosphere during the summer.
As you approach the falls by plane (the most common method of arrival), it’s amazing how the high walls of Auyantepui and the greenery of the rainforest reveal the water jet crashing into misty foam. The feeling of pricelessness and admiration that such a sight evokes is so intense that only the sound and light of the water make the heart stop.
Likewise, the visit process includes a flight to a small airport, followed by a canoe ride and a short jungle walk to a waterfall. That journey itself is part of the magic: everywhere you turn there is wind, water, rainforest and rocky landscapes that merge into one extraordinary and unimaginable living picture.
Kukenán Waterfall
Kukenán Falls (Salto Kukenán) is the second impressive waterfall in the park, about 674 meters high and springs from Kukenán tepui, near Auyantepui surrounded by vegetation and beautiful cliffs. It is not as well known as Salto Ángel, but its harsher and more untouched atmosphere of desert cliff and silent forest gives it a special, almost mystical character.
Unlike Angel Falls, Kukenán Falls is not regularly accessible to tourists, but from the air it is still visually enchanting, showing the rawness and age of the geological formations of the tepua, created 1.5 to 2 billion years ago, that is, almost as old as the granite base under the tepua, about 3 billion years.
El Sapo and El Hacha Waterfalls
Both waterfalls are accessible by canoe and easy hiking:
El Hacha: meeting the waterfall over the stairs and passing through a thick curtain of water creates a fairytale moment, while the water roars around you, and the view opens up to the canyon and rocks.
El Sapo: boating in the lagoon, walking through the jungle and the trail leads directly behind the water curtain. With the noise of the water, you can feel the mysticism and intimacy of that moment, as if you were alone with nature.
Pozo Azul (Blue Lake)
Here you can enjoy a combination of canoeing (about 30 minutes through caño Morocco) and a walk through the savannah (about 40 minutes), leading you to a lake of sky-blue or emerald color, which is especially impressive during the rainy season when the water level is higher and the color is more intense. This place is ideal for families, a short and easy trip, a perfect combination of enchanting colors, regeneration and a natural lake that you can replace with a swimming pool.
The path leads to a natural lake of emerald color, created under a waterfall on a rock. I was particularly impressed by how the water in the pool changes from blue to dark green depending on the light, especially after the rain, the water takes on the most intense shade. Locals advise good preparation, so I took with me:
- Swimming shorts and rubber swimming shoes (recommended due to rocks)
- Insect spray and a raincoat or poncho.
When I arrived at the lake, I cooled off under a palm tree, watching the water and enjoying the beauty of the silence. It was a real refreshment that perfectly combined adventure and relaxation.
Kavak: The Cave Behind The Waterfall (“Scorpion Cave”)
In the Kavak Valley, at the foot of Auyantepui, there is a path through the jungle to the canyon where the cave behind the waterfall is hidden – the “Scorpion Cave”. In it, moss covers the walls, water cools the room, and the weight of silence creates a sense of time standing still. It’s as if you’ve come to the very heart of the planet, resting on rocks that defy centuries.
This trail is no longer than an hour to an hour and a half, but every step through the mossy forest, then through the water curtain, you have an incredible feeling of inner connection with nature. There is also a special feeling of energy that you cannot fathom, only feel.
Diversity of nature: Flora and Fauna
I couldn’t help but notice the diversity of life in Canaima National Park. In the tropical forests and savannas there are many mammals: jaguar and puma are at the top of the food chain, and giant anteater, giant armadillo and occasionally rare sloths are also seen. Monkeys jump among the trees, while antelopes and capybaras graze peacefully by the stream. Canyons hide various species of amphibians and reptiles, and birdsong often dominates, colorful macaws and harpies fly through the rainforest sky. It was clear to me that all the beauty of Canaima cannot be seen in just one day, every bird and every plant here has its own story.
Local Community Pemon
I noticed that the park is largely uninhabited, but the local population consists of the Pemon people, an indigenous tribe from the Caribbean language group. Their way of life in this part of the world has always filled me with peace; people are smiling, peaceful and extremely hospitable. The entire team of the Campamento Canaima hotel is made up of members of that community, all employees are Pemons from nearby villages. The families grow corn, bananas and make handicrafts, but they clearly enjoy a simple and harmonious lifestyle. It was touching to see how open and smiling they were as they shared their stories and the legend of the tepuis.
How You Can Visit Canaima National Park
Canaima is not easily accessible by road, as the park is practically only accessible by plane (and local boats). Unfortunately, there are no daily flights: passengers usually board the plane in Caracas (Maiquetía Airport) and land in Canaima, usually on Thursdays or Sundays. All other routes to the park (Puerto Ordaz, Ciudad Bolívar) are temporarily suspended, so many opt for organized tours or private charters. Since this was an organized media trip in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Conviasa – the national air carrier organized a special charter flight to Canaima National Park for all media delegations on the occasion of the 3rd edition of the Intercambio Binacional Turístico (IBT).
Campamento Canaima (Hotel and Villas)
Campamento Canaima is the only real hotel in the park, the main center and a small refuge in the middle of the jungle. The hotel has an impressive offer of comfort, consisting of a capacity of 88 rooms and several villas (standard, deluxe and top-deluxe categories) equipped with air conditioning and hot water. The hotel is built of wood and concrete, with viewpoints and terraces that offer a panoramic view of the Canaima lagoon and the surrounding tepuas. It is important that the entire staff is composed of local Pemons, it shows how much their tradition and hospitality are valued. The rooms are simple but very clean and well maintained.
The restaurant in the camp serves a variety of cuisine: the menu includes tropical fruits, homemade breads and arepas for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner local dishes with rice, beans or plantains. Everything is very tasty and plentiful, and the staff really tries to make the guests satisfied.
Campamento Canaima combines adventure and comfort: here you can relax in clean beds and a refreshing shower, then set off to discover untouched nature. I often started my mornings on the terrace of my villa, watching the morning chill rise over the lake and listening to the chirping of tropical birds. The experience in this hotel leaves a strong impression, especially after a tiring day in the jungle, a wide bed and good food give energy for new adventures.
When I arrived at Campamento Canaima, I immediately realized that this was no ordinary lodge in the middle of the jungle. The hotel is designed to provide maximum comfort while respecting the natural environment and the traditions of the local community. The entire complex is located on the shores of the Canaima lagoon, overlooking the mighty waterfalls of El Hacha and El Sapo. The very first walk along the paths between the villas brought me a feeling of complete harmony, untouched nature all around me, a real jungle and you can only hear the sound of water, the chirping of birds and enjoy the green of the tropical vegetation.
My villa was a real little paradise. The spacious living room had a high ceiling with large windows, so the space was always filled with natural light. The furniture was simple but elegant from local wood, with details handcrafted by craftsmen from the Pemon community. I sat there every morning with a cup of coffee, watching the sun’s rays break through the tropical haze and paint the surface of the lagoon in shades of gold and emerald.
The villa’s dining room was equally imposing. A large table made of solid wood, decorated with fabrics in traditional Pemon patterns, gave warmth to the space. The meals I sometimes chose to eat here had a special charm, as if I was in my own private oasis, yet completely connected to the nature around me.
The villa had two bedrooms, each decorated with soft beds, airy curtains and large fans. The bedding was fresh, clean and smelled of tropical flowers. I especially liked that the rooms had wide glass surfaces, so I had the feeling of sleeping in the middle of the rainforest, but with the comfort of a modern hotel. The nights were quiet, filled only with the sound of crickets and the distant sound of a waterfall.
The bathrooms were one of the biggest surprises. The showers are designed to mimic the feeling of natural rain, a wide faucet with a gentle but powerful stream that falls straight from the ceiling. Showering was a real experience, almost a ritual of relaxation after long walks and sailing. An even greater experience was when I used the bathtub on the outdoor terrace, surrounded by tropical plants, overlooking the lagoon. The feeling was like bathing in the middle of the jungle, while the wind and the smell of tropical flowers accompany every moment.
The Campamento Canaima hotel as a whole functions as a small universe where luxury and nature are in perfect balance. The hotel’s restaurant serves hearty meals, from fresh fruit and local arepas in the morning, to a variety of dishes for dinner, always prepared with care. The food is combined with tropical fruit juices and refreshing cocktails, while guests sit on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace and look out over the waterfalls of the lagoon.
In addition to comfort and aesthetics, what sets Campamento Canaima apart is the friendly and warm atmosphere of hospitality. The staff, who are mostly members of the Pemon tribe, help with everything from organizing excursions to small details like preparing special meals with a smile and warmth. Their genuine friendliness gives you the feeling that you are part of the local community and not just a passing traveler.
In the evening, guests gather around the bar or on the terrace, exchange impressions and listen to the soft rustle of the rainforest. There is no city bustle, no noise, only nature, conversation and peace. At that moment I realized that Campamento Canaima is not just a hotel, but an experience to remember for a lifetime: a combination of luxury, authenticity and connection to one of the most beautiful natural entities in the world.
A trip to Canaima National Park is one of those experiences that leaves a mark on the soul forever. During my stay, I visited mountain tepuis, waterfalls, lagoons, and villages where time flows more slowly and calmly than anywhere else. All the scenes, from the magnificent Salto Ángel to the serene lagoon of Canaima, seem like a scene from another planet, just as unreal as from a movie, a world where nature and man still coexist in complete harmony. This park is at the same time a magnificent natural treasure of peace.
Canaima is not a destination for casual visitors. It is a place where you must take time to connect with nature and people. Here, mountains are older than the Himalayas, rivers and waterfalls are the living arteries of the rainforest, and the Pemon people are guardians of tradition and wisdom that teach us how to live more simply and in harmony with nature. If you come here, come with an open heart and ready to embrace the slower pace of life, the reward will be a sense of inner peace and deep respect for the planet.
Tips for Travelers
- Route planning – The park is accessible almost exclusively by plane. The most frequent departures are from Caracas, Ciudad Bolívar and Puerto Ordaz. It is recommended to book your flight and accommodation in advance, as capacities are limited.
- Travel season – In the rainy season (from May to October) the waterfalls are the most spectacular, while in the dry season (from November to April) it is easier to organize hiking and excursions. My stay in April was a perfect balance of cloudy days and sunny moments.
- Equipment – Bring light clothes, but also a raincoat, because it rains suddenly and often. Comfortable walking shoes, bathing suit, hat and sunscreen are mandatory. Don’t forget the insect repellent.
- Health and Safety – Drinking bottled or filtered water is recommended. Due to the high humidity, have spare clothes handy. If you plan to climb the tepua, be sure to join organized tours with guides.
- Respect for nature and the local community – This is a protected area and home to the indigenous Pemon people. Respect their customs, do not litter and do not take anything from nature. The best souvenirs from Canaima are photos and memories.
- Accommodation – If you want a combination of comfort and an authentic experience, I recommend Campamento Canaima. The villas and rooms provide a feeling of luxury in the heart of the jungle, and the hospitality of the staff is second to none.
How did I experience Canaima National Park?
Canaima taught me that silence is just as precious as the noise of big cities. She taught me that one does not have to be in a constant hurry, that it is okay to stop, observe and breathe in the rhythm of nature. The view of the mountain tepuis and waterfalls inspires humility, because in front of such size you realize how small we are, and yet how happy we can be if we live in harmony with nature.
At Campamento Canaima I found the perfect balance between adventure and comfort, morning coffee with a view of the lagoon and evening swimming in the open air are etched in the memory as moments of absolute peace. It’s not just a hotel, it’s a gateway to a life-changing experience.
At the end of this travelogue, I would like to express my special thanks to the Ministry of Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – MINTUR for preserving and providing access to such a natural treasure. Their efforts in preserving Canaima National Park and supporting local communities allow travelers from around the world to experience one of the most beautiful and authentic places on the planet.
Canaima is not just a destination, it is an experience that changes you from the inside out. When I close my eyes and remember the forests, the waterfalls and the smiles of the people I met, I know that one day I will be back. This country, its nature and its people deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. If you’re thinking about your next trip, make Canaima a choice. You will discover not only the wonders of nature, but also a peace that will be remembered for a long time.
As always, I tried to share authentic impressions, the right atmosphere and recommendations for you who like to travel in style, but also with an open heart. Have you already had the opportunity to visit Canaima National Park and beautiful Venezuela? Or maybe you are just planning to discover this unusual country that is the hidden gem of South America?
Feel free to leave your impressions, comments or questions below the text, or contact me via email and social networks, all information is available on the CONTACT page.
See you soon, with a new story from the other side of the world.
With Love from Canaima,
Mr.M
This post is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – MINTUR and Campamento Canaima Hotel, as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.