The place
South of the lake, the Suriname River narrows into forest. Saamaka communities live along this stretch. Their ancestors escaped slavery and built independent societies in the interior. A visit here is to a living village, not an open-air museum.
Travel is by korjaal, the long river boat, usually from the landing at Atjoni. Lodges and village guesthouses sit between the rapids. The days are the river, forest walks, and time in a community that has agreed to host you.
Getting there
Go by road to Atjoni on the Afobaka road, then by boat. The drive is long, and the boat depends on the water and on your host. Some travelers fly to a nearby airstrip and still finish by boat. Book the stay with someone who works with the village, not around it.
Pair it with
This is the heart of the seven-day route, and the interior half of the ten-day route.
Follow it in a route: A week with a rainforest stay