MARATAKKA KAYAK TOUR PADDLE THROUGH PRISTINE WILDERNESS

Nestled in the district of Nickerie, the Maratakka river remains a hidden gem, largely unknown to most tourists.
The Maratakka kayak tour offers a rare opportunity to explore this pristine waterway and encounter remarkable wildlife, including manatees,
giant otters, and the vibrant blue-and-yellow-winged macaws, drawn to the abundance of Mauritius palms in the area.

This is a true back-to-basics tour, immersing you fully in the jungle experience.
You’ll kayak through stunning landscapes, camp under the stars, sleep in a hammock, and cook meals over an open campfire.
It’s an unforgettable chance to reconnect with nature and embrace the wild beauty of Suriname.

This tour will be guided by a professional Unlock Nature wildlife guide.

Itinerary Day 1

Your journey begins at 08:00, when we pick you up for the drive to the village of Wageningen, a scenic four-hour trip. Along the way, keep an eye out for stunning birds, including the chance to spot the vibrant scarlet ibis. Your guide will share insights about the local wildlife and landscapes, and we’ll pause at a few picturesque spots to stretch our legs and soak in the surroundings.

We’ll arrive in Wageningen around lunchtime and enjoy a meal together. After lunch, our captain will be ready to take us on an unforgettable journey upriver. Within just ten minutes on the boat, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a world untouched by civilisation, just you and the wild beauty of nature.

The scenery is breathtaking, and you’ll have the chance to spot even more birds, as well as giant otters and manatees if we’re lucky. After a few hours on the water, the captain will drop us at our first campsite along the riverbank.

As evening sets in, we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner, perhaps even a freshly caught fish! After dinner, we’ll prepare our kayaks and gear for the exciting days ahead, ready to fully immerse ourselves in this incredible adventure.

DAY 2 & 3

After spending the night in our self-made camp, it’s time to begin the kayaking leg of our adventure, how exciting! We’ll rise early, setting off as the sun begins to rise. This early start not only offers cooler temperatures but also gives us stunning views and more chances to spot wildlife, such as toucans and giant otters.

Around lunchtime, we’ll take a well-earned break by the river. We’ll stop to prepare a delicious meal, and you can relax, take a refreshing swim, or even try your hand at some fishing. After recharging, we’ll continue our kayaking journey, paddling until dusk.

As night falls, we’ll set up camp by the river. Once our camp is ready, we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and unwind. If you’re up for it, we can go on a short evening hike to see what nocturnal wildlife is out and about, those creatures that rest during the day!

The next day, we’ll do it all over again, embracing another beautiful day on the river!

As we paddle further downstream, we’ll need to adapt to the tides, planning our days around them to make the most of the river’s natural flow.

DAY 4

Our last few hours on the river are upon us! We’ll wake up early for one final kayaking adventure, taking in the peaceful surroundings before we pack up all our gear, including the kayaks.

The captain will meet us at the riverbank to take us back to Wageningen, where we’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch. After refuelling, we’ll begin our journey back to Paramaribo, filled with memories of the wild beauty we’ve experienced on this unforgettable adventure.

WILDLIFE YOU CAN ENCOUNTER AT MARATAKKA

Blue & yellow Macaw

The Blue-and-yellow macaw is a large South American parrot. Such large and colourful birds never get boring and rarely fly by unnoticed as their flight is usually paired with loud screeches. They mate for life so they’re often seen flying in pairs or multiple pairs. This typical macaw is often seen in swampy savannas where they nest almost exclusively in dead palms and most nests are in Mauritia flexuosa palms. If you’d like to see these colourful birds, join one of our trips not to far from the coast such as the Maratakka trip.

Giant river Otter

This species is usually encountered with just their heads above water. In the water they are most definitely the apex predators; preying on fish like piranhas but also feed on snakes and even caiman! Most people think they’re cute, but when observed this close you can see their full size, muscular bodies and scar tissue. Beautiful and impressive animals to witness.

Three-Fingered Sloth

The three-fingered sloth is a slow-moving, tree-dwelling mammal found throughout South America. These fascinating creatures are known for their relaxed lifestyle, spending most of their time hanging upside down from tree branches. Their unique appearance, with a permanent “smile” and a coat often tinted green from algae, helps them blend into their surroundings.

Sloths are most active at night but can occasionally be spotted during the day, lounging in the treetops or slowly moving between branches.