PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE With Marcel van Berkel

Suriname is the greenest country on earth. It is packed with incredible wildlife and nature. Together with Marcel van Berkel, we have built a customised photography course and tour through this beautiful country, and everything is completely taken care of for you. Your accommodation, transport, guides, food, and drinks are all included in the price.

An intimate group experience
We will travel in a small group, consisting of a maximum of 6 guests. In most locations, there is only the option for 3 rooms. This tour is therefore best enjoyed for couples or people who know each other and are okay with sharing a room.

Meet Marcel van Berkel

Your photography guide

Marcel truly believes that anyone can take beautiful photos, you just need to know what to look for. With 32 photography trips on his CV, he knows exactly how to bring out the best in a group, whether you are a beginner or advanced. Last year, through Sutopia Resort, a place that instantly feels like coming home, he met Dick and Lieke. Together, they poured their shared passion into creating this unique, one-of-a-kind travel experience.

Capture the journey, not just the view

Of course, everyone wants to return from a dream trip with breathtaking photos. But how do you actually make that happen? How do you handle harsh, glaring sunlight, navigate the beautiful chaos of busy local markets, or photograph wild animals hidden in the dark? That is exactly what Marcel will guide you through. During the first three days of the journey, he will share practical, real-world tips that you can apply right away. There is no dry theory here, just hands-on guidance to ensure you head home with a full memory card and a massive smile.

Ready to capture your own unforgettable moments?

Discover the full itinerary and book your spot today!

Tour Dates

February 20th – March 9th, 2027

Overview

The start of this tour will be at Sutopia Holiday Resort, where Marcel will start with the photography course. From here, you will travel with our wildlife guide to various places in Suriname to put into practice what you have learned. You will see Marcel again at the end of your tour for feedback on your photos and any help you need.

You can find the complete, detailed itinerary with exact times and transfer schedules on our booking page.

Check out the itinerary

Day 1 – 3

Welcome to Suriname!

Arrival & relax
We will pick you up from the airport and drive you to Sutopia Holiday Resort. You will have the rest of the day to unpack, settle into your apartment, and acclimatise to the tropical weather.

First photo lessons & wildlife walk
Marcel will start your photography course on the second day. In the morning, we will head into Peperpot Nature Park to spot sloths, monkeys, and rare birds while practising your new camera skills.

Street photography & nocturnal jungle tour
In the morning of the third day, we will head into Paramaribo for a city tour. Marcel will teach you how to capture street life and the city’s beautiful historic wooden buildings. In the evening, we have exclusive after-hours access to Peperpot for a night hike to track and photograph nocturnal wildlife like frogs and tarantulas.

Accommodation: Sutopia Resort
Apartment with air-conditioning, bathroom and kitchen. Swimming pool and hammock camp on the resort.

Day 4 – 6

Bird Paradise

Travel to Bigi Pan & boat safari
On the fourth day, you will leave Sutopia and head out into the nature with our wildlife guide. Marcel will be travelling to this beautiful area together with his wife. During your stay, you can choose to book an extra day of hands-on photography guidance with no obligation. You will get exclusive tips and tricks on how to photograph the unique wildlife in this area.

You will travel by taxi and boat to the Akira Overwater Resort, staying in a private lodge right on the water. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat journey through the mangroves to spot caimans, reptiles, and birds like the Scarlet Ibis.

Kayaking, mud baths & extra learning
On the fifth day, you can explore the peaceful waters of Bigi Pan in a kayak and enjoy a traditional, relaxing mud bath.

Morning birding & return to Sutopia
On the sixth day, you can enjoy a relaxing morning taking in the beauty of Bigi Pan. After lunch, our boat and taxi will take you back to our home base at Sutopia Holiday Resort.

Accommodation: Akira

Own lodge with a private bedroom, balcony and bathroom. There is also 24/7 electricity available in your room.

Day 6 – 8

Back to our home base

Dolphin tour & plantation visit
You will meet up with Marcel again back at Sutopia. On the seventh day, he will host another photography session to review your pictures. In the afternoon, we will take a boat tour to spot and photograph playful Guyana river dolphins where the rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a visit to a historic plantation.

Accommodation: Sutopia Resort

Day 8 – 12

Deep into the jungle

The Fredberg climb & mountaintop camp
On the eighth day, you will leave Sutopia again with our guide. By now, you will have gained so much photography knowledge that you can put it into practice on your own. Of course, you can still ask questions along the way. For example: how do you capture a perfect shot of a hummingbird?

You will drive south and then hike up to the summit of Fredberg. You will spend the night in a hammock camp on top of the mountain, which is the perfect place to watch the sunset and spot macaws and monkeys.

Descent & nocturnal base camp walk
On the ninth day, you will take photos of the sunrise from the mountain peak before hiking down to the base camp. In the evening, the guide will take you on a night walk around the camp to look for and photograph frogs, snakes, and tarantulas.

Travel to Knini Paati River Resort
On the tenth day, you will leave Fredberg and travel further south. You will board a traditional motorised longboat to reach Knini Paati River Resort. This is a comfortable lodge located right in the middle of the river rapids.

Maroon culture & night boat safari
On the eleventh day, you will experience the local culture with a traditional Maroon dance workshop. In the evening, you will go on an exciting boat trip in the dark to spot caimans in the water.

Last swim & return to Sutopia
On the twelfth day, you can enjoy a final morning swim in the river rapids. After lunch, the boat and taxi will take you all the way back to our home base at Sutopia Holiday Resort.

Accommodation: Fredberg

At the top there is a hammock camp (with hammocks) where we stay the night.

Accommodation: Knini Pati

Spacious, comfortable lodges with a wide view of the river and the rapids.

Day 12 – 15

End of the tour

Photo feedback & relaxation
From the twelfth day, you will be back at Sutopia Holiday Resort with Marcel. He will spend the next few days with you reviewing your photos, offering feedback, and helping you with any editing or camera questions you have. You will also have plenty of time to relax by the pool.

Departure for the 15-day tour
On the fifteenth day, the main tour comes to an end. We will drive you down the savanna road toward the airport for your flight home, stopping to spot and photograph burrowing owls along the way.

Accommodation: Sutopia Resort

Day 15 – 20

Optional Extension

Optional Kabalebo jungle extension
If you choose the extension, you will board a small charter flight on the fifteenth day deep into the uninhabited western Amazon. You will spend three nights at the remote Kabalebo Nature Resort, exploring primary rain forests, taking dugout canoe trips, and kayaking upstream with our wildlife guide.

Final archiving & departure
On the eighteenth day, you will fly back to Sutopia Holiday Resort for your final nights. Marcel will help you archive your favourite images from the extension before we transfer you to the airport on the last day for your journey home.

Accommodation: Main Lodge at Kabalebo

Double rooms with private bathrooms with shower, hot and cold running water.