About this tour
On the north coast of Suriname lies the 4,000-hectare nature reserve Galibi. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Marowijne River in the north-east of Suriname. It lies on the border with French Guiana and is known for its nesting sea turtles.
What makes Galibi unique is that it has a beautiful sandy beach combined with the beautiful nature and culture of Suriname. During the tour you will stay in the indigenous village of Christiaankondre. The village stretches over 2 kilometres along the beautiful sandy beach. The beach is lined with coconut and mango trees.
Galibi is characterised by the piaka, a seaworthy dugout canoe. It is also known for its basketry, its typical ceramics and its beads and jewellery.
The Marowijne estuary is regarded as the second-largest nesting beach of leatherback turtles in the world. The nesting season runs from March until the end of July. Three species of sea turtles lay their eggs in Suriname: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).
At night, at high tide, these sea turtles come ashore and look for a spot to lay their eggs. The visit to the nesting beach will therefore take place after sunset.
On the way there or back (on Wednesday or Saturday) we will make a stop in Saint-Laurent du Maroni to visit French Guiana. Here we will visit the prison and take a short village walk. On Wednesdays and Saturdays a visit to the market is possible. You can also shop in the French supermarket. Please note: only euros are accepted here.
Atmosphere and photos
Photos: JuliasTravels (CC BY-SA 3.0), Jan Willem Broekema from Leiden, The Netherlands (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Included and not included
Included
- Guidance by an experienced local guide
- Transport by car and by boat from Paramaribo
- Overnight stay(s) on location
- Meals as stated in the programme
- All activities in the programme
Not included
- Personal expenses, souvenirs and pocket money
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- International flights and visa
- Tips
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the programme
Programme
Day 1
On day 1 we leave Paramaribo for Albina, where we take the boat to Galibi. After arriving in Galibi it is time to settle in and lunch will be prepared. After lunch it is time to relax for a while. In the evening dinner is prepared.
After dinner and sunset it is time to go by boat to the nesting site of the sea turtles. Once we arrive at the nesting beach we look for nesting sea turtles so that you can witness the egg-laying process. After this it is time to return to Galibi.
Day 2
On day two, after breakfast, there is time for a refreshing swim. After this we take a village walk through Galibi. After the village walk we enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch we visit the tiger bank (sandbank) and we will be back at the accommodation at the end of the afternoon. In the evening there is another delicious dinner, after which a cultural performance will be given if possible.
Day 3
On day three, after breakfast, we continue our way to the mainland. We return by boat to Albina, where we continue by car towards Paramaribo.
