Before 1956, when Rudolf Truffino (a.k.a. "Jungle Rudy") had the crazy idea to put a tourist lodge in the middle of this unbroken wilderness, Canaima was a place only the hardest of hard-core explorers could dream of visiting.

Fifty-three years later, the tourist camp he built - Ucaima - is still run by his family, and has earned its billing as THE place to go for outstanding service in the area. Meticulous about preparing trips, leaving nothing at all to chance, and displaying a commitment to looking after their guests every need, the staff at Jungle Rudy's will exceed your expectations with stunning regularity.

And trust me, when you're in the middle of the Venezuelan jungle, this extremely long experience MATTERS. If anything goes wrong this far from civilization, you are in desperate trouble. Which is why the sense you get in Ucaima Camp of being among absolute pros matters so much.

The first thing you notice at Ucaima is that nearly everyone who works there is from the Pemon Indian tribe: the original settlers in the region. So you are hosted, cared for, guided, translated to and catered to by people who've been living in this jungle for literally thousands of years. Ucaima's indigenous staff will wow you again and again with its warmth, professionalism, unrivalled local knowledge, and ability to speak a dazzling variety of languages.

The camp itself is very well tended and set in a stunningly beautiful location right by the river leading up to Angel Falls. The food is simple, Venezuelan home-style cooking: tasty and filling, but nothing fancy. Drinks are a bit pricey, but there's a wide variety on offer. But these kinds of considerations are really secondary.

The real reason to come to Ucaima is that these are the people who quite literally INVENTED the idea that normal tourists could come to and enjoy Canaima. Nobody's been showing outsiders this jungle for longer, and nobody does it better. There's just no better way to enjoy the jungle than to stay here.

Rudy’s Jungle is a fabulous, comfortable, one of a kind resort designed to show travelers the beautiful Venezuelan jungle and its crown jewel, Angel Falls. Our family had a wonderful time visiting the local waterfalls and lagoons, but the main event is the overnight trip to Angel Falls -- where Rudy’s operates the best jump-off camp an hour hike below the falls. A truly spectacular trip all around. Be sure to go on the day trip to Kavak to see their own hidden falls.

If you are going to Caniama/Angel Falls, stay at Rudy’s. The food is excellent, the scenery is unforgettable and the people are very nice. It is a bit of riverside civilization carved out of the jungle.

Stayed here for a few days and was absoluelty spectacular...excellent
localtion and living in harmony with nature A jungle paradise

A Venezuelan friend booked us into Ucaima. The place is amazing. Canaima is a must see place.... the red water, pink sand, and the gorgeous waterfalls. Definitely do all the day trips to see the falls - that's why you're there! Ucaima itself was fantastically friendly and quite comfortable. Our only minor complaint was that most of the rooms don't have hot water, and when you come home wet/cold/tired, a cold shower isn't too pleasant. Then again, it's a campamento, not a hotel! the food was absolutely superb and the staff was lovely. We enjoyed the resident parrots and tortoises, too.