2-Day Bigi Pan Eco Lodge Tour: Birds & Mud Bath

Seventy-two bird species stay year-round at Bigi Pan

A 2-day tour to Bigi Pan nature reserve, a coastal wetland famous for 72 resident bird species and 50 seasonal visitors. Day one travels west through Groningen, Coronie and Nickerie, ending with a sunset boat trip and evening caiman spotting from the Eco Lodge on the water. Day two brings a mud bath on the Atlantic beach, bird watching, and a return to Paramaribo by afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and explore Bigi Pan area

• Stop in historic Groningen town
• Visit Coconut district Coronie
• Tour rice company in Nickerie
• Explore Nieuw Nickerie market and seawall
• Take boat trip past mangroves
• Arrive at Bigi Pan Eco Lodge
• Kayak or relax in hammock
• Boat trip for bird spotting and sunset
• Dinner at the lodge
• Evening boat trip to spot caimans

Day 2: Mud bath and bird watching

• Breakfast by the water
• Sail to Atlantic beach
• Take mud bath and swim
• Relax at Eco Lodge hammock
• Enjoy typical Surinamese lunch
• Return to Paramaribo

The experience

The route west takes you through three districts most visitors skip. Groningen is where Dutch farmers landed 150 years ago. Coronie still holds wooden houses and churches from that era. At a rice company in Nickerie you see how the crop grows in this region, then walk the public market and seawall in Nieuw Nickerie before boarding a boat for a mangrove river passage. The lodge sits on open water, so when you arrive in late afternoon there is time to kayak or hang in a hammock before the guide takes you out by boat to watch birds at sunset.

The evening caiman spotting trip is the first of two night outings. The second comes after dinner. Morning starts with breakfast on the water, then (if the water level allows) a boat carries you to an Atlantic beach for a mud bath. The mud is said to be good for skin, and swimming follows if you want it. Back at the lodge, you have free time before a warm lunch and the return journey to Paramaribo, arriving by afternoon.

What’s included

• Dinner and breakfast each day.
• overnight stay at Bigi Pan Eco Lodge situated on the water.
• boat trips for bird watching at sunset and caiman spotting in the evening.
• kayaking and hammock time at the lodge.
• mud bath on the Atlantic beach.
• guide services in English.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Under 13: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15 · max 2 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Suriname Tour Agent ONLINE

Is this one for you?This tour suits groups and solo travelers aged 13 and up who want to see a working landscape (rice fields, markets, colonial towns) on the way to a remote nature lodge, rather than a direct route to the reserve.

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Top questions

How many bird species live at Bigi Pan year-round?

Seventy-two species have permanent residence at Bigi Pan, including red ibis, osprey, tern and various waders. Another 50 species pass through seasonally, making it a destination for serious birdwatchers.

What happens on the first night at the Eco Lodge?

After settling in, the guide takes you by boat to spot birds during sunset, then after dinner there is an evening boat trip to look for caimans and other wildlife on the water.

What is the mud bath experience like?

The mud bath takes place on an Atlantic beach reached by boat on the morning of day two, weather and water level permitting. Swimming is also an option once you rinse off.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour departs from Paramaribo and travels west through Groningen, Coronie and Nickerie before reaching Bigi Pan Eco Lodge on the water. The return to Paramaribo happens on day two after lunch.