Coastal road to the big lake
Coronie & Bigi Pan Tour — five days into the west of Suriname
The west of Suriname isn't a destination for anyone in a hurry. You drive through it past coconut palms, open polders and a coastline most visitors never see. First two days in Coronie, the quietest district in the country, where beekeepers tell you about honey and local guides take you along gardens and sea dykes. Then further west to Bigi Pan, 135,000 hectares of lake full of birds, mangroves and caimans in the dark. Two destinations worth the trip on their own, but together they make a journey that stays with you.
Day 1 — The coastal road to Coronie
You leave Paramaribo in the morning heading west, with a stop along the way in Saramacca at Groningen. Through wide polders and open landscape you arrive in Totness, the main town of the smallest district in Suriname. Coconut palms, colonial architecture and an atmosphere that tells you straight away: it's good to be here.
Day 2 — Craft, honey and the sea dyke
After breakfast the Classic Coronie Experience begins. Fresh coconut to welcome you, a visit to the herb and flower garden, a stop at the local beekeeper, and sightseeing along the sea dyke and the historic monuments. Lunch in between, prepared by people from here. In the late afternoon you continue west towards Nickerie, on your way to Bigi Pan.
Please note: there is no guide on the bus journey to Bigi Pan. Your guide will be waiting when you arrive in Nickerie.
Day 3 — Out on the water
You reach the lodge around 14:00, where a welcome drink and lunch are waiting. The afternoon is quiet in tone: a hammock, a kayak, the wide lake in front of you. Later you go out on the water for the first time, a boat trip through the waterways, past herons, scarlet ibises and whatever else decides to show itself. The evening ends with dinner and caiman spotting by torchlight.
Day 4 — First light on the lake
An early breakfast, then straight out on the water. The birds are at their most active early in the morning, and this is the hour you came here for. The afternoon is yours: read, kayak, do nothing. As the sun drops you head out again for a sunset boat trip, followed by dinner and another caiman hunt after dark.
Day 5 — A last morning on the lake
After breakfast the morning is yours. A little more birdwatching, time out on the water, taking in the view you're about to miss. After lunch you begin the drive back to Paramaribo.
Included:
Transport from Paramaribo, one night in Totness, nights at Akira Overwater Resort, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, local guides and all excursions.
Not included:
Alcohol and other drinks, personal expenses and tips for guides.
The order and content of the activities may vary depending on weather or other conditions on the day. Your guide adjusts the programme where needed, always with your safety and experience in mind.
Highlights
Coastal road past polders and sea
From Paramaribo straight through the west
Beekeeper and agrotourism in Coronie
Coronie honey: taste it once and you don't forget it
175 bird species on the lake
From scarlet ibis to flamingo, from osprey to frigatebird
Caiman spotting
Out by boat across the dark lake
Sleeping above the water
Akira Overwater Resort, with the lake as your floor
Photos
Grietjebie tip: Bring binoculars for both halves of the trip. In Coronie for the birds along the coastal road, in Bigi Pan for everything moving on and around the water.
Prices
Honey in Coronie, birds on the big lake.
Practical Info
Atmosphere
Culture and adventure
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Departure
From Paramaribo
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