La Gran Sabana, Canaima National Park, Guayana Highlands, Venezuela

Advantages: A brilliant trip to the falls themselves and an amazing sight there
Disadvantages: mosquitos

...The trip to and from the falls as well as the falls themselves is absolutely amazing. The journey begins on a boat road up the river from Canaima which although rather uncomfortable is breath-taking. The rivers are huge and the scenery amazing. After a four hour boat journey you arrive at a 'campsite'. Here hammocks are the choice of sleeping arrangement and there is a small permanent base. A good mosquito net is essential as well as comfortable clothes. After a good night's sleep here the next day involves an hour long trek to the Falls themselves. The trek isn't too strenuous although i would recommend one to bring good walking boots. It isn't actually possible to get to the base of the Falls without going some way off the beaten track, but the sight from the peaked viewing point is amazing to say the least. However i saw them after... Read review

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Advantages: Whistlestop tour through the changing landscapes of Venezuela
Disadvantages: Not for the feint hearted or those with walking difficulties

.... This is horrendous. The conditions of living are very primative, the only way in or out is by donkey,or 4 wheel drive then a hot walk for a couple of hours. I am so glad we saw it for ourself. We the went on to Sainta Helena de Urien where we based ourselves for 2 nights in yet another "camp" We were surprised that the owner spoke perfect English. Sainta Helena is 15km from the Brazilian Border, if you intend to cross it ensure you have your Yellow Fever Certificate with you as without it you will be turned back. The only thing which spoils the view is the Electricity supply to Brazil. Then on to Brazil for the day and back to pick up a light plane in the middle of nowhere to take us to Canaima national park. We flew over Salto Angel then on to a remote camp at Arekuna with a clearing in the rainforest for the plane to land. Make sure you take all medical... Read review

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Advantages: cheap, beautiful, diverse
Disadvantages: can be dangerous, english is not widely spoken

...Venezuela has to be the most amazingly diverse country i have ever been to, and worry not, it is not the only place i have been. It ranges from the Andes in the West to the Gran Sabana and then onto the dense Jungle in the east. It has the world's tallest waterfall: Angel Falls, (discovered by Jimmy Angel), beautiful Carribean Coast, unique tribal communities and bustling oil rich cities. As i did with my trip lets start where most people do -Caracas. This is a city of to halves, extreme poverty and extreme wealth due to the oil, but the first thing that hit me was the incredible prices. I mean a 3 course meal for £2.50 and people were ripping you off if they were selling fags for 90p. This meant that a daily budget was tiny and in fact hotel rooms in other towns were less than £4.00 a night, so a budget of less than £15 is fine... Read review

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