THE AMAZON RAINFOREST AT ITS BEST

To the north of Brazil is Suriname, the smallest independent country in South America in terms of area. Around 80% of the country is covered with primeval forest, which is part of the Amazon rainforest , the largest tropical forest area in the world. The climate is equatorial, the best time to travel is between February and April. Beyond these dates, beware of downpours and mosquitoes.

According to prozipcodes.com, Suriname is a largely unknown travel destination that impresses with its natural parks and reserves . The threat from overexploitation is countered by active efforts to protect nature on the part of the state and numerous well-known organizations.

The colorful population mix of people of Indian, African, Chinese and Arabic descent is reflected in the diversity of the language (in addition to the official language Dutch, around 25 other languages ​​are spoken!) And the unusual cuisine.

COUNTRY INFORMATION SURINAME

National language: Dutch

Capital: Paramaribo, approx. 220,000 adults

Local time: CET -4 hours / summer time -5 hours

Entry requirements: Valid passport and a visa. The visa application must be submitted to the geographically closest embassy. The Consulate General in Amsterdam processes applications from all European citizens (except for citizens of Belgium who have to apply for a visa in Brussels).

Vaccination regulations: For direct flights from Europe: no vaccinations required. In the case of a previous stopover (within the last 6 days before entry) in a yellow fever endemic area, a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required upon entry.

Local currency: Suriname Dollars (SRD)

Recommendation: We recommend that you take euros and US $ with you in cash, traveller’s checks or credit cards.

Power supply: 110/220 volts, 60 Hz. (EU plug)

Best travel time: Tropical hot and humid all year round. The spring and autumn months offer the best travel time. Rainy season May to August and late November to January.

Food: Surinamese cuisine is a happy mix of many different flavors and includes Hindu, Indian, Javanese, Indonesian, Chinese and Creole dishes and ingredients. One-pot dishes, which are often based on a combination of meat and fish, are very popular. A world famous example is BB met R, brown beans with rice.

Popular flavor enhancers are salted meat, dried fish (Bakkeljauw) and dried shrimp. These ingredients give the dishes their flavor, the Bakkeljauw and the dried prawns also provide a light fish taste. Different types of pepper are used liberally in Surinamese cuisine.

A large number of spices are used in stew dishes (stofoes) with meat and / or fish, vegetables and rice, including bay leaf, clove pepper, nutmeg and pepper. Traditionally, these stews are left to stew on low heat for a very long time so that the taste of the individual ingredients can develop properly. An extremely popular dish is pom, a gratin made from chicken and vegetables that is covered with pureed tayer root. Tomtom, a puree made from bread fruits or plantains, is often served with soup. For dessert, the Surinamans eat sweet desserts or fresh fruit. Fresh coconut pieces, coconut milk, desiccated coconut and light brown roasted coconut pieces are often used in desserts.

SURINAME CULTURE & NATURE

14 days round trip from / to Paramaribo

• everything from a single source: can also be booked with flights from Germany / Austria / Switzerland
• from 2 people
• maximum group size 8 people

On this trip you will experience Suriname’s culture and nature up close. After a stay in the multicultural capital Paramaribos with its Dutch colonial flair, you will discover Bigi Pan with its great diversity of birds. During your stay in Knini Paati or Dan Paati you have the perfect mix between nature and culture, you visit a typical Maroon native village and at the same time you are in beautiful nature in the middle of the rainforest. At a cocoa workshop you will learn what is special about Surinamese cocoa. On the final visit to Frederiksdorp you can watch sea turtles lay their eggs, depending on the season. Experience the farmers at work on a bike tour through the plantation area.

Day 1: Paramaribo

Upon arrival at Paramaribo Airport, transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Paramaribo

Guided walk through the capital of Suriname, where you can visit the colorful central market. Enjoy the special atmosphere of the city with its colonial wooden houses. Then visit the former coffee plantation Peperpot. After lunch short hike and return to Paramaribo. F / M

Day 3: Paramaribo – Bigi Pan

Drive by car and continue by boat to Bigi Pan, a bird sanctuary in the coastal area of ​​Suriname, which is the habitat of the osprey, flamingos, ibises and many other bird species that are preserved and protected here. F / M / A

Day 4: Bigi Pan

In the early morning you can experience the diversity of birds on a boat trip through the fascinating mangrove landscape. Kayaks are also available to explore the landscape on your own. F / M / A

Day 5: Bigi Pan – Nickerie – Paramaribo

The morning is for free usage. After lunch boat ride through the mangroves and on to the Hindustan city of Nickerie. You will visit the second largest city in Suriname. Then the journey continues along rice fields and small villages back to Paramaribo. F / M

Day 6: Paramaribo – Knini Paati

Drive through savannah and jungle landscapes to the village of Atjoni. Continue with long boats of the Maroons, the former slaves, past rapids and Maroon villages to Knini Paati. Optional: Accommodation in Dan Paati in a Comfort Cabin possible (for a surcharge). F / M / A

Day 7: Knini Paati

In the morning you have the opportunity to swim or enjoy the natural beauty on the banks of the river. In the afternoon you will drive to small rapids where you can relax on a small island. In the evening boat trip along the river where, with a bit of luck, you will see caimans. F / M / A

Day 8: Knini Paati

Boat trip to the village of New Aurora or Dan (if staying in Dan Paati). Walking tour of the village where you will meet the locals. You will learn interesting facts about their lives and the culture, which still contains many ancient African customs and traditions. Return to Knini Paati. The afternoon is at your leisure. F / M / A

Day 9: Knini Paati – Paramaribo

Enjoy the morning in the hammock and listen to the sounds of the rainforest. After lunch, return with the long boats and continue to Paramaribo. F / M

Day 10: Paramaribo

In the morning you will learn interesting facts about the cultivation of cocoa and its further processing at a workshop in a private house. The afternoon is at your leisure. Optional: Visit to the market with a chef, where you can buy the ingredients for the subsequent cooking class. F.

Day 11: Paramaribo – Frederiksdorp

In the morning drive to Marienburg. From there boat trip to Frederiksdorp, a former German plantation. Enjoy the time in the predominantly Indonesian plantation area with its many locks and small villages. In the afternoon you can take a boat trip through the bird-rich swamps and watch turtles on the beach (approx. February to May). F / M / A

Day 12: Frederiksdorp

Today you have the opportunity to explore the plantation area by bike. A walk through the plantation will give you information about the previous operation. F / M / A

Day 13: Frederiksdorp – Paramaribo

Use the time to observe the bird life or take a short bike tour. After lunch, take the boat to Marienburg and continue to Paramaribo. F / M

Day 14: Paramaribo

In the morning there is an opportunity for a final visit to the city. In the afternoon transfer to the airport. F.