Experiencing Berbice through Blackwater Adventures

The county of Berbice is serene. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Ancient County’ due to its Dutch colonial heritage, Berbice has abundant tourism attractions. Several small communities within three towns – New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton – conjure up images of Dutch heritage and rich agriculture and historic industrial estates that speak to our diverse history as a nation.
Berbice has recently been launched into an even bigger spotlight within the tourism sphere through Blackwater Adventures, the only licensed tour operator within the region. Owned and operated by Naturalised Guyanese citizens Dillon and Stephanie Ross, Blackwater Adventures delivers adventure in its truest form.
There are a number of exciting experiences to be had in the region through this tour operator. So, let’s take a look at a few of them, which are focused more on the riverine areas of the Canje Creek.

Canje Creek Sunset Tour
This experience will begin with an evening introductory tour to the Canje Creek, where you can learn a brief history of the area. After that, you will be guided through a thorough tour of the Canje Creek. Here you will be able to sip on your favourite local beverage while wildlife-spotting. On any given day, you could see a variety of animals, such as various species of monkeys, the giant river otters, anteaters and sloths, and you are all but guaranteed to see the national bird of Guyana – the Hoatzin (Canje Pheasant).
While absolutely stunning, the scenery will do more for you than just bless your eyes. It will allow you to detach from the busyness of everyday life and just enjoy all that nature has to offer. This is one of the main facets of Guyana’s tourism product, and Blackwater Adventures would ensure that you experience it all.

Fishing excursion
Blackwater Adventures primarily offers fishing expeditions within the Canje Creek and Berbice River. So, whether you’re a professional fisher, a simple enthusiast, or are just looking to have a nice time with your friends and family, you’re in the right place. And, of course, to make your experience even more convenient, the team has a wide range of high-quality fishing gear/tackle available for rental at a small cost.
Fish species that are known to be endangered are not caught during this experience.

Fort Nassau 1-day tour
The Fort Nassau Tour, currently a full day’s activity, allows persons to experience the remnants of the Fort (western and eastern grave plots, the semi-circular brick stairs of the Court of Policy Hall, the stairs of the Armoury, the ruins of the bridge, the Lutheran Church and soldiers’ barracks), as well as provide an opportunity for wildlife-spotting.
Persons who wish to extend their experience can opt for an overnight stay in New Amsterdam, or at the newly commissioned Doe Park Eco Lodge in East Canje, Berbice. This will be the perfect tour for persons who are looking to experience both history and nature.
The “talking tree”, found in the Berbice River on the Fort Nassau trail, is one of the most interesting sights along the trip. Folklore has it that this tree was used by rebels to send messages to each other during the 1763 rebellion. They would do this by hitting the tree with varying degrees of force on different parts to create unique sounds, which formed their messages. Wouldn’t it be great if this tree could tell us its rich history now?

Caiman-spotting experience
And last, but certainly not least, is their caiman spotting experience, a fan-favourite. As the sun winds down after a long day, it’s time to bring out the torches! Your expert guides will take you up and down the river in hopes of spotting one of these amazing creatures. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, they will carefully bring it onboard your boat for a closer look. After which, they will release it back into the wild.

However, if you prefer to observe it from a distance, that can be arranged as well.
This experience is available as an add-on to other tours.
If you wish to book this tour by itself, then your request would be accommodated.

Booking with Blackwater Adventures
Travellers would be able to choose the date of their adventure, and would be happy to know that they have no minimum number of guests per trip, but the minimum price would always be equal to 4 guests.
Let them know what tour package you would like, how many guests comprise your party, and what date you’d like to book. You will be able to talk to them about customised tour packages, payment methods, and what you can expect during one of their tours.
They, of course, are able to provide flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy families looking to get away for a while, or travelling groups.
More importantly for all you pet lovers out there, Blackwater Adventures is pet friendly! If you follow their social media channels, you probably know their dog, Shakira, who often accompanies Dillon and Stephanie on trips. So why not bring a friend for her?
Give them a call or message via WhatsApp at +592-610-9774. Or visit their website www.blackwater-adventures.com or Facebook and Instagram pages at Blackwater Adventures for more information on how you can begin planning your Berbice experience!

Travel better in Guyana
In Guyana, we recognise we have a responsibility to protect and conserve our spectacular natural and cultural treasures. We’re equally blessed that so many of our visitors want to lend a hand in doing so. We look forward to welcoming you to Berbice.