Geography KS2 & KS3: Expedition to Guyana - exploring Mount Roraima

In the late sixteenth century, explorer Sir Walter Raleigh led a mission to Guyana in search of El Dorado.

Many believe he was taken to Mount Roraima. Frustratingly for Raleigh, he was unable to climb Roraima.

Four hundred years later, the Serious Explorers, a team of young adventurers from the UK, have come to Mount Roraima.

The Serious Explorers climb and reach the top of Roraima.

They manage to see the remarkable landscape and endemic plants that the Elizabethan explorer never did get to see.

They are the youngest expedition to have ever made it to the top of Mount Roraima.

This clip is from the series Seriously Raleigh.

Teacher Notes

Prior to watching the clip, the children could investigate the physical features of Guyana, investigate what countries border it and research Mount Roraima.

They then could draw a scale map of the area with contour lines.

They could also research the plants in that area and why they are so endemic of that area.

The children could also research how the rocks formed in this way and what makes them so unique to this area.

Children could produce an advert for people to visit the mountain, giving details about the plants and crystals of that area and how they have formed.

Curriculum Notes

This clip is suitable for teaching Geography at KS2 and KS3 Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 2nd and 3rd Level in Scotland.

More from Seriously Raleigh:

The Serious Explorers must learn how to stay safe whilst retracing Raleigh's route to Guyana.

Expedition safety

The explorers meet the region's most endangered animals, the caiman and the harpy eagle.

Expedition to Guyana - endangered animals in the rainforest

The Serious Explorers take a look at the rainforest in Guyana, a place that has hardly changed since Raleigh’s day.

Expedition to Guyana - life in the rainforest

Extraordinary and stunning views of the imposing and magnificent Mount Roraima. Aerial views capture the magnificence of the mountain.

Expedition to Guyana - Mount Roraima (no narration)

The Serious Explorers team are recreating Sir Walter Raleigh's ocean journey in search of El Dorado. They spend four days at sea learning about navigation tools.

Expedition to Guyana - navigating an ocean journey

The Serious Explorers have taken almost a year to plan an expedition to recreate his journey. We see their planning process.

Expedition to Guyana - planning an expedition

Views of the rivers running through the rainforest of Guyana and a glimpse into the ways in which the rivers support Guyana's rainforest communities.

Expedition to Guyana - rivers and waterfalls (no narration)

The Serious Explorers spend a night in the Guyana rainforest. The UK adventurers learn to make shelters and set animal traps.

Expedition to Guyana - spending a night in the rainforest

The explorers join in a traditional Makushi celebration and go hunting with the tribesmen, relying on their help.

Expedition to Guyana - the Makushi tribespeople

The Serious Explorers try using traditional canoes like the ones Raleigh’s team would have used over four hundred years ago.

Expedition to Guyana - transportation for local tribespeople