t18
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by t18 on Jan 18, 2011 9:34:29 GMT -8
Hello all,
I'm able to visit S. America for a short period of time in April. My idea was to do a short trip in the rainforest and try to collect during this tour. I didn't really set my mind on a certain country but I'm thinking of the north-east corner: Venezuela, French- and british Guyana, Surinam.
I really have no idea about legislation/permits in these countries, but my preference is that I don't need any permits at all since it will be a short trip. I am searching for a tour-operator eg. who can guide me during my stay.
I'm not really interested in a "hardcore-entomology" trip, it is my first time in the rain forest so I would like to make a guided tour which also highlights other nature aspect like birds/monkeys etc. And collect during this trip during pauses or something. Hope you understand.
Do anyone has any information or recomendations for such a trip/touroperator? It will be much appreciated!
Thank you very much!
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Post by nomihoudai on Jan 18, 2011 9:52:54 GMT -8
French-Guyana is fine on legislation, but I think April is not the best time for butterflies ? I may be wrong tough
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Post by lepidofrance on Jan 18, 2011 10:07:27 GMT -8
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t18
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by t18 on Jan 18, 2011 10:08:11 GMT -8
I'm very interested in beetles as well.
Anyway, this is the only period I'm able to go. So french-Guyana is the best for legislation?
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Post by lepidofrance on Jan 18, 2011 10:25:20 GMT -8
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Post by lepidofrance on Jan 18, 2011 10:33:44 GMT -8
In French Guyane, collecting insects is not forbidden except in Parks and protected areas. To-day, in most of the South-America countries (I don't know for Venezuela), collecting insects is forbidden (Mexico, Costa-Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, and so on). On the page : www.lepido-france.fr/liens/categorie/region-neotropicale/you will find links about how to get permits in some countries (Ecuador, for example). I presume that's much easier, for getting collect and export permits to visit these countries (Peru, Ecuador) through an authorized entomological tour operator like Scientific Tour or Amazon Insects. Links to these operatirs on : www.lepido-france.fr/category/Annonces/ |
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t18
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by t18 on Jan 19, 2011 4:25:57 GMT -8
Hello,
Thank you for all the links you've sent me. Now I will see what I am going to do!
If you or others have more recomendations just lett me know..
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Post by maliciousinchworm on Jan 19, 2011 7:00:40 GMT -8
Hello,
An easy travel that can be also a first experience in the rainforest? Then I would tell that your best choice is to go to French Guayana, the area is visited regularly by collectors and so there is a lot of info avaliable on the net. I would avoid to pay a guide, make your own choices and have fun. If you want to get some rare stuff keep out from the beaten track, we all know what´s flying in Kaw, Coralie,...
I sent a PM to you, if you finally decide to go to Venezuela or to Guyana (the British one) I may be able to put you in contact with the right people.
Regards,
Alejandro A.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 19, 2011 7:25:01 GMT -8
Not sure that going out of the beaten tracks in French Guyana will be an "easy travel" though.
It is not an "easy" forest and illegal golddigers are not that friendly ...
So for a first trip to French Guyana, I would better follow the beaten tracks if you are alone and want an easy trip.
And if you want to go out the beaten tracks, I would better take a guide (or meet a local entomologist) who knows places and local population.
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Post by lepidofrance on Jan 19, 2011 10:13:49 GMT -8
Yes, some areas are unsafe because the golddiggers and walking without experience and guide into the primary forest could be dangerous.
That's why I gave you the advice to choose one of these forest lodges specialized in entomological tours and collecting. There, you will get all informations, guides, and so on.
By the way, the Lepidopterists of France Association is planning a trip to french Guyana for next November, including among other places the Montagne de Kaw.
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Post by nusferatus369 on Jan 19, 2011 15:18:31 GMT -8
wollastoni I have friend is in french guyana now i will by back February12. So when i will be back i can aske him if i when to send you some information also the place to loge.
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Post by maliciousinchworm on Jan 20, 2011 6:46:11 GMT -8
Hi!
Just gathered some info from my contacts. You don´t need permits from Guyana (British one), and one of my colleagues is about to visit the area, think he mentioned Venezuela rather tha Guyana. He is open to go with a friend, just if you could slightly modify your departure date...
Regards,
Alejandro A.
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Post by bobw on Jan 20, 2011 7:21:38 GMT -8
The only one of these countries I've been to is French Guiana, and whilst there are one or two areas where collecting is banned, in general collecting and exporting is no problem. As it's to all intents and purposes part of France, it's by far the safest South American country to travel in - you just need to speak a bit of French.
From what I've heard collecting is no problem in Guyana but it can be rather dangerous - especially in Georgetown. I'm told that collecting and exporting from Venezuela is totally banned so you'd be taking a big risk there.
Bob
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Post by maliciousinchworm on Jan 20, 2011 14:30:07 GMT -8
Dear friends,
I think you´re taking things too far, it´s not that dangerous to be in this countries, never heard of goldiggers in French Guyana, although I agree that they may cause you trouble (in fact any body taking suspicious activities could lead you to a disgusting situation). If you always look to the negative you´ll be jailed at home (beware of paper sheets you can get a finger cut lol). Would like to know what do you think of people who visit places such as Afghanistan, DRC,...
I would rather avoid Venezuela for a first trip, not only because of laws on insect collecting, also it is one of the troblesome countries, kidnapping is an everyday thing. My first choice would be Guyana. Problems in Georgetown are avoided not being in there, there´s a vast territory to explore there, and you know, you get crime is only found where people is, go to isolated areas and all you get is pristine nature, clouds of mosquitoes and an army of leeches. I will definitely go there as soon as I can.
Regards,
Alejandro A.
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Post by wolf on Jan 21, 2011 7:40:56 GMT -8
I've been to peru, and i was on a 4 day collecting trip to Tingo Maria, with amazoninsects. It was rly great. I walked quite abit alone around and near the hotel area to collect myself, but i'm not sure if i would've walked alone on the trips we had daily to different locations. Tingo was surrounded by mountains high and low..and u could see the coca-plantations up in the hillsides. Some of which is garanteed to be watched by drug-ppl. Step into the wrong area up in the mountains and u get can in real trouble. When that is said I never felt unsecure, and the security there was heavy. We got stopped every day by armed soldiers who checked our vehicles. I have no experience with the other countries, But Colombia is the nr 1 country in the world when it comes to most kidnappings per year. My best advice would be to use common sense and i think you will be fine  |
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