Maroon Culture at Awarradam Jungle Lodge

Experience Maroon culture in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. Approximately 225 kilometers away from Paramaribo, in the Gran Rio, Awarradam island is located near the rapid of the same name. Here you find a jungle lodge, where you can experience untouched nature and local Maroon culture.

This is a 4- or 5-day tour. You will fly from the local airport Zorg en Hoop to the airstrip near the village Kajana in less than one hour and from there you will travel the remaining 10 kilometers in a dugout canoe on the river. A luxury, seeing that regularly traveling by car and boat can take up to 14 hours, depending on the water level. The water level in the dry season can be as much as six meters lower than in the rainy season.

During your stay at Awarradam Jungle Lodge, we offer you a varied program. It includes an educational walk through the rainforest, where the guide will show you the beauty of the forest and explain about the local use of various plants. We will also visit local villages and villagers will give a performance of singing and dancing. You can also enjoy a swim in the rapid near Awarradam or enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings in your hammock. You can also participate in activities that are not included in the standard program. If you prefer a private walk, bird watching, fishing, paddling in a dugout canoe or visiting an agricultural plot with the villagers, the guide can arrange this. If an extra guide and/or special provisions are needed, you will be asked for a small compensation.

Awarradam Jungle Lodge is characterized by the traditional and sustainable aspects of the lodge. The employees are all Maroons of the Saramaccan tribe and the cabins are built in traditional style. The cool evenings make air-conditioning or use of a fan redundant and for atmospheric lighting at night solar energy is used. Meals are prepared on wood fire with primarily Surinamese ingredients.

For more information about this tour or a day-to-day program you can contact us.