Discovering The Hidden Guianas

15 Days

Scheduled Departure Rate

TRIP DATES AVAILABILITY PRICE SPACE LEFT
April 11, 2024 - April 25, 2024 Guaranteed $8,125
6 Available
August 22, 2024 - September 5, 2024 Available $8,125
8 Available
September 19, 2024 - October 3, 2024 Guaranteed $8,125
6 Available
November 14, 2024 - November 28, 2024 Guaranteed $8,125
8 Available

About this trip

Explore the Wild Coast of South America on our best selling, small-group scheduled departure tour. Travel across the Guiana Shield, a 1.7 billion-year-old Precambrian geological formation in northeast South America, which is one of the regions with the highest biodiversity and cultural diversity in the world.

Making your way across Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana, you will marvel at Kaieteur Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the world and discover one of the greatest untouched rainforests remaining on the planet. The Guiana Shield is home to endangered species such as the Jaguar, Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, Tapir and so much more. Spend time learning about the cultures of the region with visits to Indigenous and Maroon communities. Be amazed at the Space Center in French Guiana and relive the story of Papillion at Devil’s Island. This really is an untouched and totally unique part of South America.

Do you want to explore Guyana in the Footsteps of Gordon Ramsay, why not click here.

Activities & Highlights

  • Kaieteur Falls
  • Space Centre
  • Devils Island
  • Mountain hikes
  • Boat trips
  • Wildlife spotting
  • Bird watching
  • Trail walks
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Maroon culture
  • Iwokrama Canopy Walkway
  • Indigenous culture
  • Community-owned and operated lodges
  • Culinary tour
  • Historical Georgetown city tour

Itinerary

Thursday – Pick up and transfer from the airport to Eco Torarica. (Check in time 1700hrs, Check out time 1300hrs)

Friday – This morning we start our nature and cultural experience as we depart from Paramaribo by road for the village of Atjoni. At the port of Atjoni board a motorised canoe and our skilled captain will navigate the way up the Suriname River, which is famous for its breathtaking rapids, to Danpaati River Lodge.

Danpaati River Lodge is a remote and tranquil oasis built on a private island in the Upper Suriname River. The lodge features a welcoming and breezy covered platform facing the river, a large pool surrounded by trees and a hardwood yoga deck over the river. Accommodations are in spacious A-frame style cabins with modern amenities and include a morning coffee service to enjoy on your veranda with unbeatable views of the river and rainforest.

Our day concludes with an exciting evening cruise on the river, searching for Caiman and other wildlife.

Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Saturday – Today we will visit one of the 12 villages that are affiliated with Danpaati River Lodge. We will have a guided tour through the village to experience the unique traditions brought from Africa by their ancestors.

After the village tour, visit the Maroon museum Saamaka which is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Saramak Maroon population. In the museum, you will learn about the Maroon’s history, their ancient traditions and crafts before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we will discover some of the secrets of the rainforest during our forest walk.

Relax by the pool, go fishing or explore the surrounding area by dugout canoe. After dinner enjoy traditional cultural dance performances including the Seketi, Awasa and Bandamba as your guide explain the cultural significance of each dance.

Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Sunday – This morning enjoy the beautiful surroundings before saying goodbye to Danpaati and taking a boat to Atjoni, and then continue our journey back to Paramaribo by vehicle.

Overnight at Eco Torarica. Breakfast and lunch included.

An optional Sunset Dolphin Tour is available on this day, add this to your tour at checkout.

Monday – Explore Paramaribo by vehicle and on foot, viewing the most prominent historic locations and enjoying the vibe of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your experienced guide provides extensive information as you visit Fort Zeelandia, the Presidential Palace, Palms Garden, Independence Square and many other monuments. Stroll along the Waterkant, overlooking the Suriname River, with the magnificent array of planter’s houses and close-by the unexpected positioning of a mosque right next to a synagogue. Later we proceed to the Commewijne district which is situated to the east of Paramaribo across the Suriname River. The journey takes us past the former colonial plantations, most of which are now abandoned. We make a stop at Plantation Peperpot, a former coffee and cocoa estate and one of the oldest in Suriname being established by the English and already existing prior to Suriname being conquered by the natives from Zeeland under command of Abraham Crijnssen in 1667. On the plantation you can still see coffee and cocoa plants as well as an ancient shed and factory, the manager’s residence and a kampong (workers’ living area). Peperpot is also renowned for the many birds which can be spotted on the grounds.

We then make a stop at the mini-museum of Marienburg, a former sugar plantation before enjoying a delicious lunch in a typical Javanese restaurant (warung) in Tamanredjo. We then continue to the confluence of the Commewijne and Suriname Rivers at Nieuw Amsterdam to visit the outdoor museum Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. The large fortress was built as a defence for the crop fields that were situated along the upper parts of both rivers.

Return to Paramaribo or take an optional excursion to search for dolphins. While having a drink we enjoy the cool breeze and river views, meanwhile the captain searches the horizon for the dolphins. Normally we see them swim by in groups of up to 20. Sometimes they’re very curious and if we are lucky, they will jump and play close to the boat.

Overnight at Eco Torarica. Breakfast and lunch included.

Tuesday – We make an early start to comfortably pace ourselves through the journey. The first leg of our travels takes us eastbound along Suriname’s coastal road to Albina border station. Formalities here rarely take more than a few minutes, and soon we find ourselves crossing the Maroni River headed for French Guiana or “Guyane” as it is frequently (and confusingly) called locally.

Arrival at St. Laurent du Maroni is relatively uncomplicated, and our French Guiananese guide will be on hand to help us navigate the usual customs and immigration formalities. Guyane Francaise is a Department of France, so technically you have entered the EU. Evidence of this connection to the “1st world” is immediately evident: every car seems to be a late-model Mercedes, Volkswagen or Peugeot, the roads are in near perfect condition, espresso coffee is on tap nearly everywhere, and the Euro is the currency.

We will continue our journey to Kourou to visit the Center Spatiale Guyanaise (Guyana Space Center) for a tour. Launch schedules often change at the last minute so our schedule today may be amended on short notice, as the center closes for launches. The usual tour includes a motor coach tour which criss-crosses the centre’s mammoth facility, including stops at various assembly buildings, launch pads and control centres. The entire tour is offered in French, but your guide will supply translations as often as possible.

Hotel Atlantis is a modern business hotel on the edge of Bois Devil Lake with air-conditioned rooms, telephone, WiFi, satellite television and refrigerator. The spacious open lobby includes a patio overlooking the pool, lake and tennis courts. The trendy restaurant offers French and Creole cuisine and has an excellent selection of wines. Overnight in a standard room at Hotel Atlantis. (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 12 midday) Breakfast and lunch included.

Wednesday – What is commonly referred to as “Devil’s Island” is really a triangle of three islands – Îles du Salut, or the Salvation Islands – seven miles off the coast of Kourou. After breakfast at the hotel, we set sail aboard a fine motorized catamaran towards our first stop, Île Saint-Joseph. The islands played a central role in French history as far back as 1792 when they were first employed as a transit point, first for explorers, then slaves and later for political prisoners and convicts. Île Saint-Joseph is the southernmost island and was known as the silent island as inmates were not allowed to speak with other inmates or the guards. Papillion claimed to have spent two years in solitary on St Joseph. It was called the ‘man-eater’ for obvious reasons. Île Royale is the site of the oldest buildings on the islands, featuring an old church, administration buildings, officers’ quarters, and today, a good restaurant, café and lodging facilities. Ironically, the actual Île du Diable (Devil’s Island) is inaccessible to visitors due to dangerous shoreline conditions. This is the island where the prison’s best-known occupant, Alfred Dreyfus, was famously secluded and where Papillion said he was able to escape on a coconut raft.

You will spend most of the day on Ilse Royale. Visit the children’s cemetery behind the old hospital which was used for the children of the guards. The inmates were buried at sea to encourage the sharks as a deterrent to prisoners wanting to swim off the island. There are plenty of shady trees with benches under which you can catch a cool breeze. Keep an eye out for sea turtles that like to scavenge among the rocks by the dock.

Return to Kourou by catamaran and transfer to Cayenne. Overnight at Hotel Central, located in the heart of Cayenne close to the historic Palmistes Square and just a short walk from the shopping streets and the business district.

Overnight at Central Hotel in a standard room. (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1130hrs) Breakfast and lunch included.

Thursday – There is time early this morning to explore Cayenne on your own before a mid-morning transfer to the border town of St. Laurent du Maroni. On our way, we will make a brief stop in St. Joseph’s church in Iracoubo, where the entire inside of the church was hand-painted by one of the convicts from a nearby penal colony.

At St. Laurent du Maroni we will pay a brief visit to the well-preserved Transportation Centre. The facility once served as the arrival station where convicts were processed and sent to the various penal colonies throughout French Guiana and one of the most famous inmates was Papillion, whose initials are carved in one of the cells where he was supposedly held.

Cross the river by pirogue to Albina and then onwards to Paramaribo.

Overnight at Eco Torarica. Breakfast included.

Friday – Transfer to the airport for departing flight at 0730hrs to Georgetown, arriving at 0745hrs. (ticket not included in the final rates below) This morning become a local and join Chef Delven Adams who will then lead you through the labyrinth of Bourda Market, discovering it’s deepest corners including the fish, meat, fruit and vegetable marketplaces. You have the chance to meet Delven’s preferred stall holders and taste their produce. There are also fascinating bush medicine stalls, providing concoctions for every kind of ailment. We then head off for a guided tour of Georgetown, the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana situated on the Demerara River Estuary. Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree-lined avenues and irrigation canals that criss-cross the city. Most of the buildings in the city are wooden with unique Guyanese-colonial architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. A few of these that should not be missed is the residence of the Prime Minister, Statehouse built in 1852 and St. George’s Cathedral which is one of the world’s tallest free-standing wooden buildings. Close by is the Georgetown Town Hall, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, the Victoria Law Courts, St. Andrews Kirk and Stabroek Market, the largest and oldest market of its kind in the Caribbean built in the year 1881.

No tour of the city is complete without a stop to hand-feed West Indian Manatees in the National Park and a visit to the Georgetown Botanical Gardens which is home to over 100 species of birds including the range-restricted Blood-coloured Woodpecker, White-bellied Piculet and Festive Parrots. The garden is also home to the Georgetown Zoo which has evolved into a wildlife rehabilitation centre with over 90% of its population being rescued animals.

Lunch is a special treat as you re-join Delven at his home, where his backyard has been converted into the exclusive hidden gem, the Backyard Café. He will prepare an amazing meal from the mornings market experience whilst you enjoy the relaxing setting with an arbour, herb garden, fireside and bar with fresh local juices.

Enjoy a private evening cruise in a local river taxi along the bank of the river with your guide providing a brief history of the Demerara and famous Georgetown city buildings along the waterfront. Depending on the tides, you will have the opportunity to observe a variety of shorebirds feeding on the mudflats. Pass under the Demerara Harbour Bridge, once the longest floating bridge in the world at a total length of 1,851m long, to the nearby mangrove that is the nightly roost for a variety of birds. Some key species include the endemic Rufus Crab Hawk and the brightly coloured Scarlet Ibis. As the sun sets, enjoy a cold drink while observing other species such as the Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Tri-coloured Heron, Snail Kite, and a variety of sandpipers.

Located on the East Coast of Demerara, just minutes from the capital city of Georgetown is the Grand Coastal Hotel. This hotel offers excellent services and accommodation along with a restaurant and bar, gym and pool. Overnight at Grand Coastal Hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Saturday – Morning free to relax. This afternoon take a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Kaieteur which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870 is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water of Kaieteur flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge – a drop of 741 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls. There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur.

Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs (after whom the falls is named), committed self-sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls. It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi.

Kaieteur supports a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nesting close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved over millions of years by the black water of the Potaro River. Re-board your plane for the return flight to Georgetown.

Overnight at Grand Coastal Hotel. Breakfast included.

An optional Birding in the Botanical Gardens is available on this day. There is also the option to upgrade your Kaieteur Falls experience to include a private guide, the addition of visiting Orinduik Falls or both. Add these to your tour at checkout.

Sunday – Flight over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip and transfer to Iwokrama River Lodge. Depart the lodge by boat, birdwatching along the way, for the hike to Turtle Mountain. A well-maintained trail winds through the forest before an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 3/4hrs to walk up the mountain, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there and chances of Green Aracari, White Bellbird or a fly-by of one of five types of eagles. This trail is also a great location for seeing Black Spider and Red Howler Monkey. If you think this hike may be too strenuous you can take an alternative boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman. Return to the lodge for lunch and then transfer by 4 x 4 along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. No promises, but many have been lucky! This road is the only north-south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Even so, traffic is only very occasional and wildlife is often seen along the road, such as Agouti, Tayra, Tapir and Black Curassow. The journey concludes at the Atta Rainforest Lodge home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these allow great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which you would struggle to see well from the forest floor.

Another area where we will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must-see” birds, the Crimson Fruitcrow. This species is seen here on a reasonably regular basis, as it often comes to feed in some of the nearby trees. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as there is a family party which has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing.

Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The main building is open-sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest on all sides and houses the bar, dining area and kitchen. The gardens have a wonderful collection of Heliconia flowers that attracts numerous hummingbird species. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Monday – Before sunrise return to the canopy where you will welcome the dawn chorus. From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys. Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway itself you can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. For those interested in botany many of the trails have the key tree species marked. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home. Deer, Tapir and Agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge.

Transfer by 4 x 4 vehicle through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. Here there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through interesting and pristine rainforest and the guides can explain how the plants are used for medicine and other purposes.

Continue the journey to the community of Surama an indigenous community, located in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed by the forest covered Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practises of their ancestors. Surama Eco Lodge is owned and operated by the community and the profits are to be spent to benefit the whole village.

On arrival in Surama you will receive a warm welcome and settle into your accommodation. A guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Visit the local school, medical centre and church along with some of the village houses. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark, looking for the eyeshine of the creatures of the night. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Tuesday – Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer not to do this climb.

Return to the lodge for lunch and then take a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, Spider Monkeys and more species. Return to the lodge for sunset. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Wednesday – Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge before breakfast and departure.

Board a scheduled flight for a journey over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Pickup and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Grand Coastal Hotel. Breakfast included.

An optional Guyanese Seven Curry dinner is available on this day, add this to your tour at checkout.

Thursday – Pickup and transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Inclusion

Included

  • Airport transfers
  • Double or twin accommodation
  • Meals as listed
  • All road & river transfers
  • Internal flights
  • Activities as described
  • Local guides
  • Value Added Tax
  • Kaieteur National Park Fee
  • Iwokrama Forest User fee
  • Iwokrama Canopy Walkway Fee

Not Included

  • Items of personal nature
  • International flights
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Departure tax
  • Visas
  • GUMAIR flight from Suriname to Guyana

Terms & Conditions

AUTHORITY ON TOUR
At all times the decision of the company or its representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client behaviour causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s travel arrangements without any liability on the company’s part.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
The client must be in possession of a valid passport (valid 6 months past the return date), visa (where necessary), permits and certificates including vaccinations certificates, insurance policies required for the journey – the client accepts the responsibility of obtaining these. Any information or advice given by the company on visas, vaccinations, clothing, special equipment, baggage, climate, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.

CONDITION RESTRAINTS
You have selected a tour that is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to change or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress.

WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
With any trip involving wildlife, it is impossible to guarantee a sighting, but each trip is designed around known habitats. Wilderness Explorers will make every effort to ensure a sighting, but cannot be held responsible if no sighting is made due to the wildlife itself, weather, or any other elements beyond our control.

LOCAL CULTURE
Many of the areas to be visited are remote and cultures of the people most likely different from what you are accustomed to. These communities welcome visitors under the conditions that their customs, habits and rituals are respected at all times. Wilderness Explorers will endeavour to provide appropriate guidance to visitors as to correct behaviour whilst in these communities. The company reserves the right to cancel a visitor’s tour, at any time, should their behaviour be inappropriate and offensive to the local communities.

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK & RESPONSIBILITY
Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires travelling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of our customers, these trips do have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Wilderness Explorers, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks.

FORCE MAJEURE
The company will do its best to minimise the effects of matters outside its control but cannot accept liability of these matters which include political disputes, industrial action, refusal of visas, border closures, unforeseeable climatic events, epidemics and pandemics, delayed or cancelled flights etc. Wilderness Explorers may change, modify, rebook or cancel a trip for defined force majeure events

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is the client’s responsibility to obtain adequate personal travel insurance. This insurance should, at a minimum, cover personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. It is recommended that the coverage extends to include loss of effects, curtailment, cancellation and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the client.

PAYMENT
All rates are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Rates are correct at the time of publishing, but are subject to change without notice. Due to fluctuating world fuel prices, internal airfares cannot be guaranteed and the rate is therefore subject to change. Every effort will be made to maintain the quoted rate. A deposit of 20% is required to confirm any booking and balance of payment is due 30 days before commencement of the trip.

CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT
Any cancellation by the client must be in writing and acknowledged by Wilderness Explorers. The date on which the correspondence is received will determine the loss of any monies applicable.

• Cancelled more than 90 days before arrival – full refund, less any money transfer fees.
• Cancelled 60 to 90 days before arrival – 5% administration fee.
• Cancelled 41 to 59 days before arrival – 20%
• Cancelled 31 to 40 days before arrival – 50%.
• Cancelled 2 to 30 days before arrival or no show – 100%.

RESPONSIBILITY
All services are organised by Wilderness Explorers. Notice is hereby given that all arrangements made on behalf of customers are made by the organisers on the sole condition that the organisers shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage or irregularity which may be occasioned through acts of any company and /or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements and Wilderness Explorers acts as an agent for transport companies, hotels and other contractors and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur, including, but not limited to, any defect in a vehicle or any other form of conveying a traveller, acts of God, detention, delays or expenses arising from quarantine, strike, riots, theft, force majeure, civil disturbance, government restrictions or regulation, accident by aircraft, boat, bicycle, motor vehicle or any other form of transport or in any hotel, resort, ranch, guest house, camp or other forms of accommodation.

SEVERABILITY
In the event that any term or condition contained herein is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement or amend accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.

Essential Information

AIRLINES
American Airlines
British Airways
Caribbean Airlines
Copa Airlines
Inter-Caribbean Airlines
Jet Blue Airlines
Suriname Airways
Gum Air

Check dbdpost.com for more information regarding cheaper flights option.

VISA
The following countries do not need a visa: Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. Visa requirements should be checked as requirements can change at any time.

Wilderness Explorers can assist in obtaining permission for a visa on arrival at an additional fee. However, the granting of visas remains at the discretions of the Ministry of Citizenship.

YOUR SAFETY
Our number one priority is your safety and welfare.

Suriname
Paramaribo is a small friendly city. Normal travel precautions for any city are advised. The downtown area is very quiet at night and not worth visiting. Restaurants and bars tend to be out of the city centre, with many focused around the Uitgangs Centrum area near the hotels we use. Uitgangs Centrum is buzzy and quite safe in the evenings.

Once out of the city and into the rainforest it will be isolated with just small villages and you will be perfectly safe. Surinamese people are very friendly and enjoy meeting visitors.

French Guiana
French Guiana is actually a department of France and so in safety terms much the same as being in France. Expect to see gendarmes and even French military (guarding the spaceport and on manoeuvres) and European standard roads. Cayenne is a tiny, sleepy city and normal travel precautions for any city are advised.

Guyana
We always get the question is Guyana safe? Like any big city, Georgetown has areas that are to be avoided by visitors. But we only use hotels that have good standards and are safe. Most of the time in Georgetown you will be accompanied by our experienced guides and drivers who live in the city. During your free time if you want to visit a bar or restaurant in the evening we recommend a taxi, which is inexpensive. Your hotel will be happy to call one for you.

Once out of Georgetown and into what we call the interior, it is a different scenario. You will be in areas with small villages where everyone greets you with a smile and you will be perfectly safe. Some lodges don’t even have locks on the doors as there is no need. There will always be an experienced guide close by to accompany you on your excursions and bring the rainforest and savannah to life and share their knowledge and experience.

Generally, you will find the Guyanese people extremely friendly and only too willing to help you enjoy their country.

VACCINATIONS
Malaria – Many of the areas you visit in Guyana’s interior will have no malaria. However, it is recommended to take malaria Prophylactics as a precaution on some trips. Please consult your physician before your departure. All beds in the interior have mosquito nets, and on camping trips, hammocks with specially fitted mosquito nets are provided. It is advisable to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and long trousers at night. The mosquitoes are often more prevalent at dusk and dawn.

Yellow Fever – A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from or transiting from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days before travel to, or through Suriname. Suriname recognizes the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is valid for life starting 10 days after vaccination. Children over 1 year of age are required to have a vaccination certificate. Travellers should carry their vaccination card (Yellow Fever) with them at all times.

CLOTHING
In the interior wear casual, comfortable clothing. A shirt with a collar helps protect you from the sun, and a hat and sunglasses are vital. During the day shorts and shirt are fine. In the evening you would want long trousers and a shirt with long sleeves. There is no need to dress up in the interior. You can leave any travel or city clothes in your city hotel or with our office when you are travelling around the interior.

Footwear – Comfortable walking shoes or boots and sandals.

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Discovering The Hidden Guianas
From $8,125
/ Person

Tour Facts

  • 15 Days / 14 Nights
  • Persons of reasonable fitness level who enjoy wildlife, nature, culture and pristine environments.
  • 2
  • 12
  • 8 Years
  • English
  • Transportation on this journey includes cars, mini bus, light aircraft, 4x4 vehicles and boats.
  • Guests are accommodated in a mix of a heritage house hotel, city hotels, rainforest and savannah lodges and indigenous community lodges.
  • The tour includes 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 5 dinners
  • English, Dutch, French
  • Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
  • Suriname
  • Guyana