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Suriname - South America's Hidden Gem
Tour Code: SUR01A pioneering 12-day holiday to one of South America's lesser-known regions, searching for a wealth of birds, mammals and herpetofauna among some of the world's last remaining untouched rainforests.
£6,995 (Inc flights)
£6,195
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Suriname, nestled within the Guiana Shield biodiversity hotspot of north-east South America and bordered by Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil, is a true hidden gem. Despite its small size, Suriname boasts an astonishing 93% forest cover – the highest on Earth – offering unparalleled opportunities for wildlife exploration. Among the expanses of pristine rainforest, such mouth-watering possibilities include Harpy Eagle, Lowland Tapir, Giant Otter, eight species of primate, and even Jaguar, alongside a vast array of insects and herpetofauna. This new tour aims to capture the essence of this underexplored wilderness, covering a broad range of habitats to seek out some of the region’s most iconic natural treasures.
- Wildlife exploration off the typical tourist trail!
- More than 700 bird species, including Guiana Shield endemics and chances for Harpy Eagle
- Colourful parrots, macaws, toucans and trogons
- Up to eight species of primate possible
- Searching for Lowland Tapir, Giant Otter, Pale-throated Sloth and more
- Spectacular charter flight over pristine Amazon rainforest
- Spotlighting for nocturnal mammals, birds and herpetofauna
- Witness thousands of roosting birds at sunrise and sunset
Our journey begins with a flight to Paramaribo, set within Suriname's savannah belt, from where we will transfer to our comfortable first base in the suburbs of the capital for a 2-night stay. From here, we will explore a number of different wildlife hotspots, including a nearby reserve home to more than 40% of the country's bird species, and a remarkably diverse assemblage of mammals, insects and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians). Key targets here include the localised Blood-coloured Woodpecker, the endemic Arrowhead Piculet, Green-tailed Jacamar, Crimson-hooded Manakin, Black-spotted Barbet, Green-backed Trogon and Great Potoo, while diurnal mammals might include Guianan Brown Capuchins and Pale-throated Three-toed Sloths. Night walks may reveal a Long-tailed Porcupine while, with luck, we may also catch sight of a more elusive forest dweller, such as Giant Anteater, Margay or Jaguarundi. With so many different localities to explore — including a boat excursion on the estuary in search of Guiana Dolphin — we will return to this base several times throughout our holiday.
Once we have familiarised ourselves with the local fauna and flora, we will head westwards towards Suriname's border with Guyana for a 2-night stay at Akira Overwater Resort, set in the middle of Bigi Pan ('Big Lake'). Here, we hope to witness a most impressive wildlife spectacle: the evening arrival (and dawn departure) of thousands of roosting waterbirds. Colourful clouds of Scarlet Ibises, Roseate Spoonbills and American Flamingoes will be accompanied by swirling flocks of waders, while Black Skimmers and Brown Pelicans cruise in to add to the scene. Raptors are ubiquitous too and will likely include Osprey, Snail Kite, Rufous Crab-Hawk, Black-collared and Great Black Hawk.
We will next turn our attention to a remote river, with the aim of encountering Giant Otter, West Indian Manatee and some spectacular birdlife, including a bewildering array of parrots, toucans and kingfishers. The highlight of our journey, however, is likely to be our three nights at the Kabalebo Nature Reserve, nestled deep within the heart of the Surinamese Amazon. With the nearest road more than 150 miles away, our lodge is only accessible via a spectacular charter flight over vast tracts of unbroken jungle. Due to its isolated position and lack of human habitation, the forests here have remained untouched. Consequently, not only are otherwise elusive megafaunal species present in their original numbers, but they also exhibit a remarkable tolerance of humans. Birding highlights might include Crimson Topaz, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Black Curassow, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Marail Guan, White-plumed Antbird, Red-throated Caracara, Guianan Trogon, Guianan Toucanet, Amazonian Motmot and Paradise Jacamar, whilst spotting a Harpy or Crested Eagle is not out of the question either! Although typically elusive across the Amazon, big cats are seen with some regularity here. Indeed, this is perhaps the top spot to look for Jaguars in Suriname, although, of course, sightings are far from guaranteed! Lowland Tapir can also be quite confiding, while primates and macaws thrive in the lodge grounds. The insect and herpetofaunal diversity are astonishing, and we can enjoy watching colourful butterflies flit between the trees, while keeping our eyes peeled for a number of spectacularly coloured poison frogs.
We will end our time in Suriname with a final two nights in Paramaribo, from where we will explore a nearby tract of savannah-forest mosaic, searching for a range of open-country birds and mammals which may not have been present in other areas during this tour. These may include such specialities as Cayenne Jay, Red-shouldered Macaw, Saffron-crested Tyrant-manakin, Golden-headed, White-crowned and Black Manakins and Red-shouldered Tanager.
There will be plenty of opportunity to undertake night walks throughout the holiday. Indeed, these nocturnal forays are essential if we are to maximise our chances of finding some of the rarer denizens of the forest. We will also enjoy spending time with a local herpetologist, who will help us to find some of Suriname's incredible diversity of snakes, lizards, crocodilians, turtles and frogs.
For those looking to extend their holiday, we offer a 4-night extension to Fredberg — another of Suriname's premier birding sites — for the chance to see such enigmatic Guiana Shield endemics as Crimson Fruitcrow, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Blue-backed Tanager, all eight of Suriname's primate species and much more.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A mix of comfortable wildlife lodges, all rooms having private facilities. Accommodation on the extension is more basic.
- Food:
All included in the price.
Extensions
Fredberg Extension
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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Tailormade Consultant, George Vincent, recently travelled to Suriname and here outlines comprehensive, wildlife-focused itineraries to this lesser-known country tucked away on the north-eastern edge of South America!
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