Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana holidays
Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana holidays at a glance
The ancient, sheer-walled tepuis of the Gran Sabana are known as the Lost World, a nod to Arthur Conan Doyle’s adventure story. Below them, the savannah grasslands are threaded with streams and waterfalls, though the best known by far is Angel Falls, plunging nearly a kilometre over a vertical cliff in a single veil of spray.
Prospectors still gather here to mine mineral-rich veins of rock, but for visitors the real draw is the landscape itself: horizon-bending grasslands, waterfalls and black lagoons fringed with pink sand, framed everywhere by the tepuis on the skyline.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The sheer scale of the landscape and the isolation of the falls make it an unforgettable experience.
When to visit Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana
The best time to visit depends largely on whether your priority is trekking or seeing Angel Falls at maximum volume. Travellers focused on trekking usually favour the dry season, while those wanting the most impressive waterfall experience often prefer the wetter months.
By December the dry season is in full swing, with less rain and warm temperatures which hover in the mid twenties. This is an ideal time for outdoor activities: ascend the magnificent Mount Roraima over the course of five days and discover the unique ecosystem that thrives on its tabletop summit.
May is the beginning of the wet season, with more frequent rain and heavier cloud coverage which can obscure views of the tepuys and waterfalls. Temperatures do not change much, hovering in the mid twenties. Following many dry months, Angel Falls is just a trickle in May, but between August – September the watery cascade is full and dramatic.
Top Things to do in Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana
Things to do in Angel Falls and the surrounding Gran Sabana range from the strenuous to the sedate. Trekking up table mountain Roraima is the big physical challenge here, a multi-day climb onto a summit plateau unlike anywhere else in South America. Visiting Angel Falls itself, whether by light aircraft or dugout canoe, remains the region’s signature experience.
Ascend to the summit of remote Mount Roraima to see a unique environment of surreal rock formations and endemic species.
Marvel at the world’s tallest waterfall from above in a light aircraft, or reach the base of the falls by dugout canoe.
Accommodation in Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana
Accommodation here is built around access to the wilderness rather than city comforts. Waku Camp sits beside a pink-sand lagoon amid the landscapes of Canaima National Park, and makes an excellent base for excursions to Angel Falls and the wider region.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana
Angel Falls and the Gran Sabana is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When To Go
The dry season in the Gran Sabana extends from Dec or Jan toApr or May, when Angel Falls can slow to a trickle. The waterfall is much more voluminous and dramatic in the rainy season, especially Aug-Sep, but as it is cloudier you run the risk of not seeing it from the air. However this is a good time to make a canoe trip to the foot of the falls. It’s best to climb Roraima in the dry season but it can rain on the top at any time.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- Language
Spanish
- Getting Local Currency
Bolívar Fuerte. Banks will offer advances on a credit card. Money exchange offices and many hotels will gladly buy US dollars cash (very few accept euros or sterling and the rate will be poor). Obtain your local currency before heading to the Gran Sabana, although the general store in Canaima will often buy US dollars in exchange for Bolívares.
- Time Difference
GMT -5.5 hours (yes, really).
- Combines With
A visit to the llanos, wildlife wetlands northwest of the Gran Sabana, the country’s other vast wilderness; the Orinoco Delta to visit the Warao indians.
- Getting There
There are regular short domestic flights between Caracas and Canaima for visits to the Angel Falls. Roraima is accessed by jeep from Santa Elena, on the border with Brazil (flights from Caracas to Ciudad Bolivar then by road or light aircraft).
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.