Kabalebo

Geography

Kabalebo is a resort in Suriname named after the Kabalebo River that flows through this area. Clockwise, the Kabalebo resort borders the Upper Coppename River and resort to the East, it's adjacent to the Coeroeni River and resort in the South, bordered in the North across the Courantyne River to Guyana and also to Nickerie. Kabalebo is an area around the river Kabalebo and it was formerly in the district of Nickerie, but since the re-organisation of the districts it lies in district Sipaliwini. The residents are mainly native Indians, the original inhabitants of Suriname. The bigger villages in this resort are Apoera (Apura), Bakhuys (Bakhuis), Section and Washabo (Wasjabo)

Economic Development

There is little economic activity in Kabalebo, although there have been attempts in the past to change this. There is the bauxite mine in the Bakhuis mountain range with the corresponding (never used and in the meantime declining) railway line to Apoera and during the reign of president Henck Arron (1975-1980), there were plans, part of the West Suriname Plan, to build a dam in Kabalebo for power generation for the benefit of the mining activities. The construction of the reservoir is still considered.

Tourist Activity

In the Midwest of Suriname, in the middle of the Amazon rain-forest, a jungle-accommodation has been built; the Kabalebo Nature Resort. From this resort there are tours for mountain climbing to the top of the Misty Mountain to enjoy the view over the jungle, there is a hiking trail laid out over 30 km to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the rain-forest, spotting animals is very popular in Kabalebo.

For tourists there are trips by boat to look for jaguars, tapirs and other jungle inhabitants, camping in the bivouac camp, spending the nights in the middle of the jungle in hammocks or tents. Kayaking to overcome the rapids and enjoying the nature and the view is another activity, as is fishing. Large catfishes of well over 20 kg are regularly caught here, and anjoemara's.

Kabalebo is also called a bird watching paradise for bird watchers in the jungle. The resort has a swimming pool and river cabins, these are traditional wooden cottages on stilts, with a sleeping room with beds and a mosquito net, bathroom with shower, toilet and balcony with a view of the Kabalebo River and the Amazon forest. The resort is at a 75 minutes flight by plane to reach from the city of Paramaribo.

The Kabalebo Airstrip (ICAO: SMKA), was constructed as part of Operation Grasshopper.