Justin has spent his entire life in the Rupun as a vaquero, rancher, and conservationist. His paddling is so serene that a canoe drift becomes a meditative experience. Justin will captivate you with tales of Rupununi legends and he is a fantastic cook—don’t miss his Sourie Achar, homemade ham, and everyone’s, beef and mango curry. He also has a keen interest in ethnobotany and enjoys long river journeys deep into the Guyanese rainforest.

In 2011, Erin moved to the Rupununi. She has an educational and professional background in Natural Sciences, particularly Geology and Evolutionary Palaeobiology. Alongside her research and conservation efforts on giant anteaters and giant armadillos with the SRCS, Erin will introduce you to the capybaras and other animals under her care, guide you through stargazing experiences, and incorporate scientific insights into all activities.

In 2023, Ayanna made her way to Wichabai from her home village of Shulinab and quickly took over the kitchen. Together with her small but dedicated team, she crafts extraordinary and scrumtious dishes for the ranch and guests. Every meal is prepared entirely from scratch using fresh local produce sourced from the garden, nearby ranches, and the town of Lethem. Ayanna is a magician with flour; her breads, pastries, rotis, pastas, and the renowned Guyanese breakfast specialty, 'bake,' are simply the best you'll ever taste. Prepare to be amazed by unique ingredients and discover cassava in ways you never imagined!

Leroy hails from Shulinab Village, located roughly an hour from the Ranch. In 2024, he earned the prestigious Whitley Award for his contributions to Red Siskin conservation while serving as the President of the South Rupununi Conservation Society. The following year, he was named Senior Guide of the Year by the Guyana Tourism Authority. A passionate birder and wildlife enthusiast, Leroy is brimming with local knowledge and will share it with great enthusiasm as he drives you through the Rupununi.

Orvin (Bally) feels just as comfortable in the savannah, rivers, and of the Rupununi as the wildlife he will introduce you to. Join him before dawn to track giant anteaters, or relax in the wabbani (tree house) at night, soaking in the sounds of the living forest. Bally is not only an exceptional horseman and a compassionate vaquero, but his insights often offer a unique perspective compared to other guides and visitors.

Hydra is pictured here with her daughter Pegasus.  Hydra came to Wichabai to be the matriarch of the capybara breeding and rewilding programme.  But she became the unofficial ranch mascot, beloved by everyone who visits.  Hydra rules the ranch now, wondering freely from the lake to the house and sometimes to the river when the notion takes her, invading personal space, climbing upstairs into cabins while guests are taking a shower, leading the other capybaras when she feels like it, or just chilling on her own in the shade.  

Kayla is Justin's sister, and they grew up together on Dadanawa Ranch.  Se persued her studies in anthropology at university in Canada and the UK.  Her PhD was on Indigenous use of Fire in the Rupununi.  As the Programmes Manager for the South Rupununi Conservation Society, she uses her experience with on-the-ground conservation and academic finesse to manage teams and woo funders.  She also lectures at the Amerindian Research Unit at Guyana University.  You might be lucky enough to meet Kayla on your visit, but rest assured, she is always in the background managing things.

What Asaph doesn't know about Guyanese birds could be written on the inside of a hummingbird wing, as they say.  We are lucky to have at our doorstep one of the best bird guides in the country: Asaph is a magician.  Give him a list of targets species and he will conjure them up and present them to you.  He has also been an SRCS ranger for more than 20 years, teaching a generation of young conservationists and leading his community towards sustainable environmental management.