Secrets of the Guianas - French Guiana, Suriname & Guyana

This extensive journey through the Guianas offers a rich blend of rainforest exploration, river travel, cultural encounters, and historic colonial sites, beginning in Guyana and continuing through Suriname and French Guiana. The experience starts in Georgetown, a city shaped by its colonial past and Caribbean influences, where historic architecture, markets, and early birding excursions in the botanical gardens provide an introduction to the region’s biodiversity and layered heritage. A highlight is the flight to Kaieteur Falls, where vast rainforest gives way to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls, set within a remote and largely untouched landscape.
The itinerary then moves deeper into Guyana’s interior, where the Iwokrama Forest offers canopy walkways, wildlife-rich trails, and opportunities to observe species such as monkeys, toucans, and possibly jaguar in their natural habitat. Travelling south, the environment shifts between dense rainforest and savannah at Rock View Lodge, before returning to Georgetown and continuing onward into Suriname. Here, the focus expands to include river expeditions, village visits, and cultural experiences with Maroon and Javanese communities, alongside time in Paramaribo, a UNESCO-listed city known for its distinctive colonial architecture and multicultural character.
The final stages of the journey lead into French Guiana, where historic sites such as Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and the Îles du Salut reveal the region’s penal colony history, contrasted with natural and coastal landscapes. The experience concludes in Cayenne after visiting the Space Centre and exploring the city’s French-Creole identity, bringing together nature, history, and culture across three interconnected countries.