Atjoni in Brokopondo District is a starting point for boat trips to Upper Suriname. There is a specific travel requirement for villages south of Pokigron: they can only be reached by boat. When planning your stay, factor boat trips into your travel arrangements and the itinerary you have in mind.
Boat trip and day planning
In the vicinity of Upper Suriname, Knini Paati describes a boat trip to Tapawatra Sula. The itinerary described calls for departure from Knini Paati between 07:00 and 08:00. There is a breakfast stop along the way, and time at the rapids is planned for during the day. This makes it easy to fit the trip into your day, taking into account its early start, the boat ride and time by the water. Knini Paati describes the trip; check current availability and conditions before travelling.
When looking for a holiday rental or accommodation, you can first consider whether you plan to take boat trips to Upper Suriname or would rather focus on the described trip to Tapawatra Sula. Confirm availability and conditions for the trip with Knini Paati in advance.
Sipaliwini: Nature and culture in the wider destination
The wider destination of Sipaliwini offers a broader natural and cultural context. The Central Suriname Nature Reserve, established in 1998, lies in the central part of Sipaliwini District. Animals found there include jaguars, giant armadillos, giant river otters and lowland tapirs; the reserve is also home to eight primate species.
Sipaliwini offers different ways to experience nature: travellers can hike through dense forests or paddle along tranquil rivers. These options offer different focuses—trails through the forest or movement on the water.
Another destination in the district is Raleigh Falls. From there, visitors can climb Mount Voltz, a 240-metre-high granite rock. The rock offers a view over the jungle canopy. Devil’s Egg is another landmark in Sipaliwini: a boulder on the edge of a cliff, positioned in a way that makes it appear to be balancing precariously.
The cultural diversity of Sipaliwini is also part of its broader context. Descendants of the Maroons and Indigenous peoples have preserved traditional ways of living and dwelling, and live in tribal communities in several villages along the Suriname River. In the village of Pikin Slee on the Upper Suriname River, the Saamaka Museum presents the cultural heritage of the Maroons, their past and way of life, as well as developments over recent decades.
Outside the village of Kwamalasamutu, in Sipaliwini District, lie the Werehpai Caves. They contain more than 500 rock drawings. According to the account, the petroglyphs are dated to between 4,200 and 5,000 years ago; 2004 is given as the year they were discovered. Sipaliwini’s cultural context thus encompasses both present-day ways of life and rock art estimated to be several millennia old.
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