“There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed.” – Kate Douglas Wiggin
The first time I heard about The Black River Safari Tour was on my trip to Noisy River, Duppy Church, Treasure Beach and Calabash Beach with iam_mishi and Richie.
We got to the property but it was closed. We were just driving through Manchester and St.Elizabeth exploring places we have never visited.
We spent a few minutes at Holland Bamboo Avenue trying to get the perfect picture in the middle of the road. This is the reason for us reaching the Safari Tour location late.
It played on my mind for the longest while until I decided to take my vacation and explore Lovers Leap and the go on the Black River Safari Tour.
Entrance
St. Elizabeth is a huge parish. I pay more for public transportation compared to other parishes because I have to take an additional taxi to reach the attractions.
Cashier
Waiting area and snack bar
Gift shop and museum
I’ve explored Pelican Bar, Blue River, Calabash Bay Beach, and Lover’s Leap, Y.S Falls, Holland Bamboo Avenue and Breadnut Valley Falls which are all amazing destinations. Hence why I keep returning to St. Elizabeth, the “Bread Basket “of Jamaica.
After leaving Lovers Leap, Rosheena and I took a taxi from Southfield to Black River for the Black River Safari Tour experience.
Tour Guide Luke
We drove through the beautiful and famous Holland Bamboo Avenue. Our final stop was at a taxi park in Black River.
He directed us to the nearest point and indicated that will walk on a metal bridge. Couple seconds later, we saw the entrance to the Safari tour which was on our left.
The white birds are called Egrets commonly known as Garling
We saw a large fish at the surface of the water for a few seconds. At first glance, I thought I saw a whale.
THE FIRST CROC WE SAW
Most of my adventures are via public transportation but if I had driven, I parking space was available.
We entered the property to start the tour but we had to wait until 3:pm because yet again I failed to do my research on opening hours and the tour times.
Restrooms, cashier, nursery and gift shop, waiting area and a snack bar are on the same building with an additional restroom outside.
The touring hours are 9:AM, 11:AM, 12:30 PM 3:00 PM which last for one hour. They are open every day and the cost for the tour is JMD 1,000.00 per person with a national ID.
We could not wait until 3:00 PM so we asked the cashier if she could move our tour up to 2:00 PM. She was a bit hesitant but she did it anyway. We even became friends. I gave her so many trouble and even made her laugh.
Our guide came and we started downstream. The water had a raven glistening colour. I've never seen anything like it. I've been to many rivers and this one had its uniqueness.
Broad Water, the widest section of the river
Our guide filled a plastic bottle with water from the river showing us that the water is crystal clear.
He said the riverbed's soil is black. This is caused by Logwood companies in the 19th century that extracted dye from logwood that's grown along the river bank.
We saw four crocs. The guide said we were lucky because sometimes you see only one. The crocs had names. I was amazed and surprised by nature yet again.
The environment was peaceful. I loved every moment of it.
Sailing on the Black River one of my new favourite things to do. After the knowledge that was bestowed upon us by Luke, we just watched and enjoyed the beauty of mother nature’s gift.
You can hardly see it but its an Osprey also known as river hawk, fish hawk or sea hawk . We were lucky to see it according to Luke
Does The Black River Safari tour sound like an adventure you would embark on? Do tell!
Mangrove Avenue
Nursery
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About the author
Whatta Gwaan!
You've discovered my blog. I'm delighted you're here. Maybe it's destiny. I'm Doreen Lillian Scarlett welcome to Nature's Sweet Escapes where I go on the far side of Instagram to document and share my adventures.