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Discover Bigi Pan, the bird-rich nature reserve on the west coast of Suriname. During this popular tour by Orange Travel, the comfortable Akira Overwater Resort is your ideal base. From this resort, you will take small boat excursions to explore the rich flora and fauna of the area. Book your adventure to Bigi Pan and enjoy the unique biodiversity and breathtaking beauty of this natural reserve!
Highlights/Activities
Advice from Insiders
Shanifa
For an unforgettable stay in nature, the Akira Overwater Resort in Bigi Pan is an excellent choice. This resort offers unique overwater lodges with modern amenities, combined with the comfort and tranquility of nature. Guests can enjoy spectacular views from their private veranda, in the middle of the vast Bigi Pan nature reserve. This area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, the highlight of which is the bright red ibis. Ideal for nature lovers looking for a luxurious and serene experience in one of Suriname’s most beautiful nature reserves.
Inclusive/Exclusive
Inclusive
Exclusive
Tour Information
Program
2-Day Bigi Pan Tour (excluding transfer)
Day 1 – Arrival at Bigi Pan
For this 2-day tour to Akira Overwater Resort, you’re free to choose how you get there. You may travel by private car or taxi shuttle.
Need a ride? We offer optional transfers from Paramaribo to Nieuw-Nickerie:
- Regular transfer: €70 p.p.
- With sightseeing stops: €85 p.p.
Please note: The transfer is provided by a local driver from Nickerie. Along the way, you’ll pass through Saramacca, Coronie, and Nieuw-Nickerie, where you can enjoy brief stops such as the Sea Wall. While not a tour guide, the driver is happy to share personal stories and insights about the region.
Departures from Paramaribo are between 07:00 – 07:30 AM.
If traveling on your own, please arrive at the Akira dock no later than 12:45 PM.
The boat ride to Akira takes approx. 45 minutes, depending on water levels.
Visiting for the flamingos and red ibis? These birds are most visible between October and April.
Afternoon & Evening Program
- Welcome & check-in
- Lunch
- Birdwatching before sunset
- Dinner
- Evening boat tour: Spotting caimans & snakes
Day 2 – Departure from Bigi Pan
- 06:00 AM: Early morning birdwatching
- 08:00 AM: Breakfast
- 12:00 PM: Lunch
- Departure after lunch
3-Day Bigi Pan Tour (including transfer)
Day 1 – Journey to Bigi Pan
- 07:00 – 08:00 AM: Departure from Paramaribo by bus to Nieuw Nickerie
(Note: There is no guide on the bus; your guide will meet you in Nickerie) - Approx. 1-hour boat ride to the resort
- 13:30 PM: Arrival & lunch
- 19:30 PM: After dinner, enjoy an exciting night boat excursion to spot caimans and snakes
Day 2 – Discover Bigi Pan
- Optional sunrise moment to enjoy the tranquil surroundings
- Guided birdwatching tour
- Breakfast
- Free time for:
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Canoeing
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Traditional crab catching (pre-requested)
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Relaxing on your terrace
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Afternoon: Extended boat tour through Bigi Pan
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During bird season, the tour ends at the roosting site of thousands of migratory birds – a magical natural display.
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Dinner
Note: Activities such as crab catching must be requested in advance.
Day 3 – Return
- Optional morning birdwatching or simply relaxing
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Departure to Paramaribo in the afternoon
✨ This tour can also be combined with a Maratakka Adventure – ask us for tips or advice!
🐦 Birdwatching Tower & Wildlife Paradise
Akira Overwater Resort is nestled in a protected nature reserve surrounded by mangroves and wetlands – a true haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
From our birdwatching tower, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Bigi Pan wetlands. With a bit of luck, you might spot scarlet ibises, ospreys, herons, jacanas, and countless migratory birds.
🎒 Don’t forget to bring your binoculars – this is the perfect place for rare and peaceful wildlife sightings.
Travel details
Transport & Prices
Transport
Paramaribo departure:
- Departure time: from 08:00 AM (subject to change)
- Pick-up in Saramacca: ± 09:30 AM (surcharge applies)
Nickerie departure:
- Departure time from Akira dock: ± 12:45 – 13:00 PM
- Return from Bigipan to the dock: ± 12:30 PM
If you wish to arrive at a different time or need to leave Akira earlier, a boat charter will cost €80.
Prices per person
📍 From Paramaribo – 3-day tour
| Category | Price (p.p.) |
|---|---|
| Non-resident Adult | € 350,- |
| Non-resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 300,- |
| Resident Adult | € 300,- |
| Resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 270,- |
- Departure days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Includes bus transfer (direct route, no district tour)
- Children up to 2 years stay for free
- Single supplement: € 35,- per night
- Extension after 3 days: € 80,- per day (Nickerie); inquire for PBM
- Proof of residency required (CBB extract or passport with valid CBB residency stamp)
- Please inform us at booking of any bed preferences & dietary restrictions
📍 From Nickerie – 2-day & 3-day tour
2-day tour
| Category | Price (p.p.) |
|---|---|
| Non-resident Adult | € 220,- |
| Non-resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 175,- |
| Resident Adult | € 180,- |
| Resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 150,- |
3-day tour
| Category | Price (p.p.) |
|---|---|
| Non-resident Adult | € 310,- |
| Non-resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 270,- |
| Resident Adult | € 270,- |
| Resident Child (3–15 yrs) | € 240,- |
📍 Departure time from Akira dock: ± 12:45 – 13:00 PM
📍 Return from Bigipan: ± 12:30 PM
- Departure days: possible every day
- Children up to 2 years stay for free
- Single supplement: € 35,- per night
- Extension after 3 days: € 80,- per day (Nickerie); inquire for PBM
- Proof of residency required (CBB extract or passport with valid CBB residency stamp)
- Please inform us at booking of any bed preferences & dietary restrictions
Excursions & Activities
Akira Overwater Resort is your gateway to a world of wonders. Let our guides, who know Bigi Pan like the back of their hand, take you to the most magical places.
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Boat trip through the intriguing Bigi Pan landscape
A place where water and sky merge into an endless horizon. -
Birdwatching
Watch the sky turn pink as hundreds of flamingos take off at once, while ospreys glide silently over the water. -
Kayaking on the open water
Where the silence is only broken by the rhythmic splash of your paddle and the birdsong around you. -
Mud baths
An ancient tradition in which you immerse yourself in mineral-rich mud that refreshes your skin and relaxes your mind.
At Akira Overwater Resort, you don’t just feel like a guest — you become an explorer in a world full of natural beauty and harmony.
This is not just a trip – it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Packing list
🧳 Packing List for Your Stay at Akira Overwater Resort
To ensure a comfortable and worry-free stay, we recommend bringing the following items:
🎒 Luggage
- Weekend bag / backpack – Lightweight and easy to carry (no suitcases)
- Daypack – Convenient for excursions and day trips
📄 Essential Documents & Electronics
- Passport – Required for identification (ID card only accepted for residents)
- Charger – For charging your devices
👕 Clothing & Accessories
- Hat or cap – Protects your face from the tropical sun
- Long pants & long sleeves – Against insects and irritating plants
- Raincoat or poncho – For unexpected showers
- Water shoes – Prevent slipping and protect your feet during water activities
- Dry clothing – For after rain or wet excursions
🛁 Personal Care
- Mosquito repellent / insect spray – Essential against insect bites
- Sunscreen – For protection against UV radiation
- Toiletries – Think of toothpaste, soap, and shampoo
🔦 Handy Items
- Flashlight or headlamp – For evening walks or dark areas
- Waterproof bag – To protect electronics and important documents
- Binoculars – For birdwatching and wildlife observation
- Lighter – Useful for lighting incense or candles
💡 Extra Tips
- Small cash (SRD) – For local purchases and drinks
- Reading material – For relaxing moments on your balcony
🚫 Note: The swimming pool at Akira Resort is currently not in use. Swimming is (for now) not possible.
Accommodation
Luxury Accommodations Over the Water
Welcome to Akira Overwater Resort – where peace, nature, and comfort come together. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the difference: a serene atmosphere, the soft rustle of the wind, and sunlight dancing on the water. This is where you truly unwind.
Our 17 elegant, freestanding lodges are built over the water and offer a unique blend of comfort and nature. Each lodge is equipped with air conditioning and is fully powered by solar energy – sustainable and pleasant. Wake up to the shimmering lake view, open your doors, and let the morning sun brighten your day.
For families, we offer a spacious and cozy family lodge – perfect for spending quality time together in a natural setting, with just that little bit of extra space and warmth to make you feel right at home.
Amenities at the Resort
| Amenity | Availability |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning | ✅ Available |
| Fan | ✅ Available |
| Hot water | ❌ Not available |
| Wardrobe | ❌ Not available |
| Clothes hangers | ❌ Not available |
| Towels | ✅ Available |
| Mosquito net | ❌ Not necessary (air-conditioned rooms) |
| Balcony / Terrace | ✅ Available |
| Power supply (110V) | ✅ Available |
| Power outlet type | ✅ Compatible with USA & EU plugs |
| Sanitary facilities | ✅ Private bathroom and toilet included |
Facilities: Where Comfort, Luxury & Sustainability Meet in Bigi Pan
At Akira Overwater Resort, you will experience a unique blend of luxury and deep relaxation, surrounded by the untouched beauty of Suriname’s natural landscape. Here, time slows down, and a profound connection with nature begins.
Culinary Paradise Over the Water
Indulge yourself at our charming restaurant located right by the water. The aromas of fresh local herbs blend with the soft salty breeze. Our passionate chefs prepare delicious meals daily using the freshest regional ingredients, creating an unforgettable culinary journey.
Do you have specific dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or others? Our kitchen is happy to accommodate your preferences with care.
Green Energy, 24/7 Comfort
Enjoy full luxury and comfort with peace of mind, knowing your stay is completely sustainable. Our advanced solar power system provides 100% clean, green energy to the resort, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You’ll hear no loud generator hums – only the soothing sounds of birdsong, gentle waves, and rustling wind. True harmony with nature, without compromising comfort.
What Makes This Experience Unique?
At Akira Overwater Resort, it’s all about intimacy with nature without giving up comfort. Wake up above the water, surrounded by tranquility and birds, while enjoying the luxury of your private lodge with air conditioning and bathroom – all powered by solar energy.
What truly sets this experience apart:
🌅 Untouched nature right beneath your balcony – spot birds, caimans, and fish in the calm waters
🧘 Digital detox & true peace – no distractions, just relaxation
🛏️ Comfort in simplicity – cool rooms, soft towels, private bathrooms – sustainable and stylish
🚤 Unique location – only accessible by boat through the Bigi Pan area, far from mass tourism
👨👩👧👦 Warm hospitality – you won’t feel like a guest, but like you’re home
Akira is not just a hotel – it’s an experience. A place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with silence.
Departure date
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Departure Dates
📍 Where is Bigi Pan located?
Bigi Pan is a protected nature reserve in the western part of Suriname, near Nieuw-Nickerie. It’s known for its impressive wetlands, mangroves, and rich birdlife.
Click here for the location.
🗓️ On which days can I depart from Paramaribo?
Departures from Paramaribo for the 3-day tour are scheduled on:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
🛶 And from Nickerie?
Both 2-day and 3-day tours from Nickerie are possible daily, depending on availability.
🕗 What time do we depart?
- Paramaribo: Pick-up between 08:00 – 08:30 AM
- Saramacca: Pick-up between 09:30 – 10:00 AM (additional fee applies)
- Akira Dock (self-arranged transfer): Be present no later than 12:45 PM
- Boat departure: Around 13:00 PM
🕔 What time do we return?
The return boat ride from the camp to the dock begins around 12:30 PM.
Arrival in Paramaribo depends on traffic conditions, but is usually between 4:30 – 6:00 PM.
General information
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Akira Overwater Resort
What is Akira Overwater Resort exactly?
Akira is a unique eco-resort built over the water in the Bigi Pan nature reserve. Guests stay in comfortable lodges with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and stunning lake views – immersed in nature, yet enjoying the comfort of a luxury stay.
What birds and animals can I see there?
You’ll be able to spot a wide variety of species, including herons, pelicans, ospreys, caimans, and unique migratory birds.
Bigi Pan is home to up to 122 bird species, of which 72 can be seen year-round – including the iconic scarlet ibis and brown pelicans.
Is electricity and equipment available?
Yes: Akira offers 24-hour electricity powered by solar panels. Outlets are compatible with EU and US plugs, and power is available for lighting and air conditioning.
Is the resort suitable for children or guests with limited mobility?
- Children: Absolutely welcome.
- Mobility limitations: Not all pathways are accessible – please check with us in advance!
How much free time is there?
Guests report having plenty of personal time for relaxation or self-guided exploration, alongside the scheduled excursions.
Curious about what else Orange Travel has to offer? Complete your trip to Suriname with our versatile range of day & multi-day tours and fully catered tours!
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