This three-day, two-night tour combines wilderness lodge stay on the Upper Suriname River with structured Maroon cultural engagement. Choose between three resort options: Knini Paati Lodge (smaller, traditional), Anaula Resort (larger, more comfort-focused), or Danpaati River Lodge (mid-sized, well-appointed riverside). All include full board, river activities and guided village visits. The program operates with shared departures.
Full itinerary
8:00 AM departure from Paramaribo accommodation. Three- to four-hour drive south to Atjoni. One- to one-and-a-half-hour pirogue journey upriver to your chosen resort. Arrival in time for lunch. Afternoon: orientation walk and free time at the resort. Evening: dinner and group activity (depends on group size, may include traditional drumming or storytelling).
Morning: pirogue to a nearby Maroon village for community-led tour with stops at the mission post, school, medical clinic and elder's compound. Cultural context on Maroon history, the 18th-century escapes from Dutch plantations and the preservation of Saramaccan language and African-derived practices. Ethnobotanical forest walk with focus on plants used for food, medicine and ritual.
Return to resort for lunch. Afternoon: free time or optional activities (river swimming, canoe paddling, fishing). Evening: dinner and traditional Maroon dance performance (if group size permits, typically minimum 8 guests).
Morning: optional activities (river swim, jungle walk). Late morning: pirogue downstream to Atjoni, then road transfer to Paramaribo. Arrival approximately 6:00 PM.
Bookings and payments are handled securely through WeTravel, our booking partner.
- Round-trip transportation: Paramaribo to Atjoni by vehicle, Atjoni to resort by motorized boat
- Two nights accommodation in chosen resort with full board
- All meals: Day 1 lunch and dinner, Day 2 breakfast/lunch/dinner, Day 3 breakfast and lunch
- Non-alcoholic beverages with meals
- Guided Maroon village visit with community-led tour
- Ethnobotanical forest walk
- Traditional Maroon dance performance (subject to group size minimum)
- Resort activities: canoe access, river swimming, optional jungle walks
- English-speaking guide throughout
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities for guide and resort staff
- Travel insurance
- Private transportation (shared transport included; private vehicle/boat charter available at additional cost)
Can be combined with the 2-Day Jaw Jaw Atela community-run program for contrast between community-managed and resort-style stays. Private departures available. Extensions to 4–5 days possible for deeper engagement.
What makes this tour
Upper Suriname River setting, accessible only by motorized pirogue, river-defined ecosystem with rapids, mangroves and forested banks
Structured cultural program, Maroon village visit with community-led tour, traditional dance performance, ethnobotanical forest walk
Three resort options: Knini Paati (intimate 12-lodge property, traditional), Anaula (larger 27-cabin resort, more amenities), or Danpaati (mid-sized, well-appointed)
Activities included, river swimming, canoe excursions, jungle walks, all meals
Family-suitable, comfortable enough for travelers preferring resort-style accommodation while still accessing remote nature
Resort options
Knini Paati Lodge
Riverside, more intimate and traditional Maroon-style
More traditional feel, closer integration with surrounding village life
Anaula Resort
Riverside, larger property with more amenities
More comfort-focused, suitable for travelers preferring resort-style amenities
Danpaati River Lodge
Riverside, well-appointed Maroon-owned property
Balance of comfort and authenticity, deep community integration
Practical information
You might also like
See all tours
Paramaribo UNESCO Heritage Tour
Half-day walking tour of Paramaribo's UNESCO-listed inner city: Fort Zeelandia, Independence Square, the wooden Basilica, and the mosque and synagogue standing side by side.
Best of Paramaribo Full Day
Combined full-day tour covering the three essential Paramaribo experiences: the UNESCO World Heritage city tour, Peperpot Nature Park and afternoon dolphin spotting on the Suriname River.
Commewijne District Day Tour
Full-day boat and walking tour of Suriname's plantation district: dolphin spotting on the rivers, a former coffee-and-sugar plantation, an 18th-century coffee estate now restored as a heritage resort, with lunch at Frederiksdorp.