Despite being a remote region of France, French Guiana is worlds apart from its European counterpart, with wild tropical forest covering much of the country and a diverse blend of ethnicities shaping its culture and the languages spoken. Aside from its capital, Cayenne, a splendid example of French colonial architecture, much of the country is difficult to reach and explore due to lack of infrastructure. However, those that do make it will be rewarded with adventure, coming face to face with the histories of the country’s colonial roots, its penal colonies and slave trade, as well as the challenges that come with visiting a country that is so far removed from the tourist trail. Be sure to visit the space station and the former penal colonies of the Îles du Salut for an insight into the French Guiana of the past and the present.
The former Dutch colony of Suriname may be South America’s smallest country but it has a surprising amount to offer visiting wildlife lovers and adventurous travellers. Dense rainforest covers much of Suriname, cloaking indigenous communities, exuberant plant life, tropical wildlife and seemingly endless protected nature reserves. Travel around the country is best left to its rivers, as flights and even roads are few and far between, only adding to its allure. Providing easy access to Suriname's jungle-clad interior is its capital city, Paramaribo, a UNESCO protected delight of Dutch-colonial architecture, vibrant night-life and excellent restaurants. The cuisine is another thing you don’t want to miss; experience a heady blend of flavours with influence ranging from the Caribbean to Africa, Asia and Europe.
Acres of untameable rainforest, wild white water rivers and thundering waterfalls make up a huge portion of Guyana, South America’s only English-speaking country. This is a haven for eco-tourism fans and wildlife-lovers, who will find charmingly rustic lodges deep within the jungle, providing access to world-class birdwatching and wildlife encounters, as well as opportunities to meet indigenous Amerinidian tribes. The capital city Georgetown is known as the ‘Garden city of the Caribbean’ and its flower-filled streets and 19th Century stilted houses welcome visitors to this wild frontier.
