Marais de Yiyi

The Yiyi marshes spread behind the coast between Sinnamary and Iracoubo, a mosaic of wet savanna, swamp forest and open water, and the Maison de la Nature on the road gives the territory's easiest wetland access: a boardwalk out over the swamp, an observation platform, and guided canoe outings onto the channels. Hoatzins rustle in the bushes along the water and caimans lie in the channels.

The landscape

• The boardwalk - the walkway out over the swamp from the visitor house.
• The hoatzins - the prehistoric-looking birds in the waterside bushes.
• The wet savanna - the open flooded grassland behind the coast.
• The canoe outings - guided trips onto the channels.

When to go

July to November is the dry season with concentrated wildlife. The wet season floods the savanna and changes the birdlife. Early morning and late afternoon are best.

What to expect

The boardwalk is short and the reserve's depth needs the guided canoe trips, which run on a schedule. Mosquitoes are fierce at dusk. Big caimans are seen occasionally, not reliably.

Nearby

Sinnamary is west, and Kourou is east.