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About the Tour
Flying route - print
The flight to Awarradam takes you from Zorg en Hoop airport in Paramaribo over Suriname river basin. After 5 minutes, if there are no clouds, you can see the aluminum company at Paranam in the distance to your left. Here, bauxite is processed into aluminum for export. A little later you fly over Zanderij (Johan Adolf Pengel international airport). Afterwards you can see the enormous Brokopondo hydro lake in the distance. Just below, you can see nature park Brownsberg. The ‘gaps’ in the rainforest are the result of gold panning activities. South of the lake, along the Upper Suriname river, lie several Saramaccan villages. You can see how far the roads reach. From Pokigron and Atyoni, transportation is only possible by dug-out canoe or airplane. Dyumu airstrip, a bit further on, lies right between the Gran Rio and the Pikin Rio river. After almost one hour you land at the airstrip near Kajana, a village along the Gran Rio river.
Location
Awarradam island is located near the rapid with the same name, approx. 225 km from Paramaribo. The local people pronounce the name as ‘Awaadan’. ‘Awaa’ (Awara) is an orange-colored palm fruit and ‘dan’ (dang) means rapid. Awarradam lies in the Gran Rio river which joins the Pikin Rio river, 30 km upstream. At this point the Upper Suriname river begins, flowing out into Brokopondo hydro lake, 75 km upstream. The river gets its water from rainfall. The water level in the dry season can be as much as 6 meters lower than in the rainy season! The village Atyoni, somewhat south of the hydro lake, is the most southern destination in Suriname that can be reached by road. From Paramaribo, the trip takes 4 to 5 hours. The boat trip to Awarradam takes 8 to 10 hours, depending on the water level. The airplane takes you to Kajana in 50 minutes. The remaining 10 km are continued by dug-out canoe. Awarradam lies at approx. 20 minutes by boat, south from the last village in the area. So you will reach your destination in one and a half hour. A luxury indeed!
The lodge
The individual lodges are built in traditional style with a balcony which offers a beautiful view on the river. The building material is taken from the surroundings so that you do not loose that ‘jungle feeling’. Each lodge has 2 beds with mosquito nets and private toilet and shower with cold water. The hammocks on the balcony soon become everyone’s favorite spot! For atmospheric lighting, oil lamps and solar energy are used. The meals are served in the ‘restaurant’. You can also relax in the jungle bar-lounge.
The villages
‘Awaadan’ forms part of the Langu area. This area consists of 8 villages: Bendiwata, Kuututen, Ligolio, Bëgoon, Kajana, Deböö, Godowata en Stonhuku. Ligolio is a Christian village, all others villages are governed in the traditional manner. The traditional villages can be recognized by their landing jetty along the river with an ‘entrance’ made up of hanging palm leaves. This is called ‘azanpau’ and serves to protect the village from evil spirits from outside. Each village has a traditional meeting place, a central sacrificial area and a special hut where the local women have to stay a few days during their monthly period. The villagers are descendants of the Maroons, runaway plantation slaves, who fled deep into the jungle. The Saramaccan managed to maintain most of their ancestor’s culture. You will certainly experience this during your walk through the village. Some even say that the West African culture remained more intact here than in the areas where the slaves originally came from. But even these villages keep up with modern times. Kajana has a school and a medical clinic and Ligolio also has a school. The Chief Captain of Langu lives in Stonhuku and the area also has several regional governors such as Captains and Basja’s. Many Saramaccan, especially young men, are now working in Paramaribo, in French Guiana or among gold diggers. When they return to the village they bring various consumer goods from the city for their relatives.
Activities and excursions
Our tour groups often consist of participants with different interests. You will spend 3 or 4 nights at Awarradam and the program which depends on the water level is kept as varied as possible. During the trips by dug-out canoe we offer you a life vest because we keep safety high in our banner. 
What to bring along
2 bath towels, 2 shirts (with long sleeves), 2 long trousers, T-shirts, short trousers, socks, a raincoat, cap or sunhat, swimwear, toiletries, suntan lotion, insect repellent, sturdy hiking shoes (grip sole), flip-flops, rolls of film/batteries (not available at the lodge and limited opportunity to charge batteries), flashlight, sunglasses, small back-pack (for the jungle trips), malaria prophylaxis, Surinamese cash (small bank notes) for purchase of local handmade souvenirs and/or your bar consumptions.
Your luggage
6 kg luggage per person is allowed to Awarradam and Palumeu. For Kasikasima, the maximum luggage is 8 kg. For transportation it is most handy to take along a waterproof weekend bag. You can leave your luggage and other valuables, not needed during the tour, in Paramaribo.
Taking photos/filming
Taking photos of or filming persons and their belongings is not always appreciated by everyone. Always ask the villagers permission first therefore, directly or via the guide.
Friends of Awarradam
You can support the development of the villages via various projects. In the Gran Rio area, for example, there is a need for material and financial support for the two schools. METS takes care of the contact between you and the coordinating institution.
Contact us
Did you book your trip from abroad? Contact METS immediately upon arrival in Paramaribo for the departure time of the flight and other information. Call during office hours (Mon - Fri: 08:00 - 16:00 hrs, tel. 477088). After office hours and in the weekend: mobile tel. 088 28647.
Nature of the tour
This tour is suitable for all those who wish to learn more about the pristine tropical Amazon rainforest, the Saramaccan culture and the beautiful, untouched nature, in a reasonably comfortable manner. The organized jungle walks are fairly easy for guests with an average physical condition.
Due to the somewhat adventurous nature of this tour we do not recommended participation of children younger than 8 years.
Included in the tour- Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Juice or lemonade are served during the meals, coffee/tea
- room service in the morning. Coffee and tea are available at the resort throughout the day.
- The trips as included in the standard program.
- A professional Dutch/English speaking guide, often of indigenous descent.
- Overnight stay in the lodges is based on double occupancy.
Do you want a single room? This is available, if the tour capacity allows, at payment of
a single surcharge. Please indicate this at your booking.
Not included in the tour
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks, these are available in the bar.
- Other personal expenses such as purchase of souvenirs, extra activities, if desired.
- Tour activities not included in the standard tour program.
- Malaria prophylaxis. Consult your physician.
- Transportation from and to Zorg en Hoop airport unless included at your booking.
- Accident- and cancellation insurance.
Other information
- Do you have a special diet or do you want single accommodation? Please indicate this
- immediately at your booking. There are limited and often no possibilities at the lodge
- to cater to these needs.
- A sound system is not allowed unless you make use of an earphone.
- You are not allowed to take plants and/or animals from the area.
- Put your photo/film camera and other valuables safely away in a waterproof bag/sack
- during the boat trips. They can get wet, even if it is not raining, by the splashing water.
Rates (Including Sales Tax)
| Awarradam | Monday till Friday | € 535,- p.p. | Friday till Monday | € 535,- p.p. |
Combi Tours | Destination | Days | Nights | min/max number of persons | Rates | Palumeu & Awarradam | 8 | 7 | 4-20 | € 1070.00 | Kasikasima 5 days & Awarradam | 8 | 7 | 4-12 | € 1237.00 | Kasikasima 8 days & Awarradam | 11 | 10 | 4-12 | € 1264.00 |
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