The Gran Sabana: A Landscape of Legendary Tepuis

Discover the breathtaking savannah where Mount Roraima, Kukenán, and other majestic tepuis rise above the horizon.

The Gran Sabana, located in southeastern Venezuela, is a vast expanse of rolling grasslands, crystal-clear rivers, and dramatic vistas. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometers, this pristine landscape forms part of Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Known as the cradle of the world’s most iconic tepuis, the Gran Sabana is home to Mount Roraima, Kukenán, and countless other towering formations. For adventurers and nature lovers alike, this region offers an unparalleled glimpse into one of Earth’s oldest and most unique ecosystems.

The Virtual Tour: A Journey Across the Gran Sabana

This virtual tour takes you on a captivating trek through the Gran Sabana, following the trail from Paraitepuy to the Rio Kukenán campsite.

Over 15 stunning panoramas, you’ll experience the open savannah, cross the clear waters of the Rio Tek, and approach the base of the legendary Mount Roraima and Kukenán Tepui as dusk settles. Covering a distance of 15 km (9.3 miles) in approximately 4.5 hours, this hike immerses you in the breathtaking beauty and tranquility of this ancient landscape.

Origin and Geology of the Gran Sabana

The Gran Sabana, part of the Guiana Shield, is one of the most ancient landscapes on Earth. Its origins date back over 2 billion years, making it a key window into Earth’s geological history. This region’s dramatic topography and ecosystems are the result of unique geological processes that shaped its terrain over millennia.

• The Guiana Shield: The Gran Sabana sits atop the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s oldest continental crust formations. The shield spans Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, and parts of Suriname, forming the foundation for tepuis and the surrounding savannah.
• Sandstone Plateaus: The tepuis, or flat-topped mountains, were once part of a vast sandstone plateau that covered the region. Over millions of years, intense erosion by wind and water wore away the surrounding rock. However, the erosion-resistant sandstone of the tepuis remained intact, leaving behind these towering formations with dramatic cliffs and deep valleys.
• Unique Rock Formations: The tepuis are primarily composed of Precambrian sandstone, with quartzite and some areas of shale. These rocks date back to an era when life was limited to simple microorganisms, providing a glimpse into Earth’s distant past.
• Tepuis and Isolation:
  • The tepuis rise sharply from the surrounding savannah, with sheer cliffs often exceeding 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in height.
  • Their isolation has led to the evolution of unique ecosystems on their summits, earning them the nickname “islands in the sky.”
• Fossil Evidence: While fossils are rare in the Gran Sabana, some areas have revealed impressions of ancient plants and microorganisms, giving scientists clues about life during Earth’s early history.
• Fun Fact: The unique sandstone of the tepuis is so ancient that it largely predates the formation of the Andes Mountains, which began forming roughly 25 million years ago.

The Bigger Picture: The Guianan Savanna Ecoregion

The Guianan savanna is an ecoregion in the Amazon biome, spanning southeastern Venezuela, western Guyana, Suriname, and northern Brazil. Covering over 104,000 square kilometers (40,300 square miles), it is a diverse landscape of rolling upland plains, grasslands, and scattered forests atop the Guiana Shield, lying between the Amazon and Orinoco basins. The Gran Sabana region of Venezuela forms a significant part of this ecoregion, renowned for its unique biodiversity and dramatic scenery.

Location and Extent

• The ecoregion consists of three large, unconnected areas:
  • The main section which includes southeastern Venezuela (the Gran Sabana), the Brazilian state of Roraima, and western Guyana.
  • A smaller southeastern section in northern Pará (Brazil) and southern Suriname.
  • The easternmost section in Amapá (Brazil), north of Macapá and near the Amazon River delta.
• Surrounding ecosystems include:
  • Uatuma-Trombetas moist forests to the south.
  • Guianan moist forests to the east.
  • Guianan piedmont and lowland moist forests to the west.
  • Pantepui and Guianan Highlands moist forests to the north.

Ecological Features

• Savanna Landscape:
  • Rolling upland plains dominate the landscape, interspersed with rivers, wetlands, and patches of forest.
  • The Gran Sabana, within the main section, is a prime example of these open grasslands, with scattered moriche palms and dramatic tepui backdrops.
• Fire and Forest Loss:
  • Frequent fires—both accidental and deliberate—are a defining feature of the ecoregion, shaping the landscape by preventing forest expansion but also contributing to forest shrinkage in some areas.
• Biodiversity Hotspot:
  • The Guianan savanna is home to unique species adapted to its tropical climate and nutrient-poor soils.
  • Animals such as giant anteaters, capybaras, and savanna foxes thrive in the open grasslands.
  • The moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa) is a keystone species, supporting birds like macaws and providing critical resources for both wildlife and humans.

Significance of the Ecoregion

• The Guianan savanna plays a critical role as a transition zone between the Amazon rainforest and tepui highlands, connecting diverse ecosystems.
• Its ancient soils and isolated forests are invaluable for studying the evolution of savanna ecosystems.
• The ecoregion is part of the Amazon biome, highlighting its importance as a reservoir of biodiversity in South America.

Biodiversity of the Gran Sabana

The Gran Sabana’s vast savannah ecosystem is home to a remarkable diversity of plant and animal life uniquely adapted to this open, sun-drenched landscape. While the tepuis often steal the spotlight, the savannah below is a thriving environment with its own fascinating biodiversity.

• Moriche Palm (Mauritia flexuosa):
  • The moriche palm thrives near rivers and wetlands in the Gran Sabana.
  • Its fruits and sap are a vital resource for both wildlife and the indigenous Pemon people, who use it for food, tools, and shelter.
  • The palms provide critical habitats for animals, including nesting sites for birds like macaws.
• Grasslands and Wildflowers:
  • The open savannah is dominated by grasses and hardy wildflowers, including species that have evolved to survive in nutrient-poor soils.
  • Seasonal rains bring bursts of color as flowers like the delicate sundew plants (Drosera spp.) emerge, some of which are carnivorous to supplement their nutrient intake.
• Rivers and Wetlands:
  • Crystal-clear rivers such as the Rio Tek and Rio Kukenán cut through the landscape, providing habitats for aquatic life.
  • Fish species like armored catfish and amphibians thrive in these waters, while mammals like giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) occasionally venture into the savannah’s waterways.
• Birdlife:
  • The Gran Sabana is a haven for bird species, with open skies providing ideal conditions for raptors like black-and-white hawk-eagles and grasslands hosting ground-dwelling species like seriemas.
  • Wetlands are home to wattled jacanas, which elegantly walk across floating vegetation.
• Mammals of the Savannah:
  • Animals such as capybaras and deer graze on the grasses, while giant anteaters roam in search of ant and termite mounds.
  • Predators like the puma (Puma concolor) traverse the savannah or rare occasions, keeping the ecosystem in balance.
• Insects and Pollinators:
  • The Gran Sabana buzzes with life, including butterflies, bees, and beetles, many of which play essential roles in pollinating the region’s plants.
  • Termites are a critical component of the ecosystem, recycling nutrients and enriching the soil.