Kaw
French Guiana · Régina · 4 m
Description
The Kaw marshes cover close to a hundred thousand hectares of flooded savanna behind a low mountain ridge, and the reserve holds one of the densest populations of black caiman anywhere. Boats leave the hamlet of Kaw after dark and the guide's lamp finds their eyes in the reeds, sometimes a dozen in an hour. By day the same channels hold hoatzin, jabiru and scarlet ibis crossing at dusk in flocks. Giant water lilies open on the still water. Nights are spent on a floating lodge. The marshes were listed under the Ramsar convention in 1993.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: August – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Night boat trip for black caiman
- Scarlet ibis crossing at dusk
- Floating lodge on the marsh
- Hoatzin and jabiru in the channels
- Giant water lilies
- Montagne de Kaw rainforest above the marsh
- Kayaking the quiet side channels
- Road down from Roura through the forest
- Frogs and night sounds of the savanna
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- CAY
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry