News

A Jamaican Safari in James Bond’s Former Stomping Ground

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - January 31, 2012

Above: the Swamp Safari Village (JIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

It was 1973, and James Bond was in the middle of a fight with a crocodile in Jamaica — one he survived only by using the heads of other crocodiles as stepping stones.

It’s a lasting image from film, but for a long time, the Jamaica Swamp Safari Village, the host to several scenes in “Live and Let Die,” was out of commission. (In the movie, Jamaica was doubling for Louisiana)

But after a long hiatus, Johny Gourzong has brought back an institution in Jamaica’s Trelawny: the Jamaica Swamp Safari Village.

The facility, which is owned by the Tourism Product Development Company, has been leased to Gourzong, who operates the “Rafting on the Martha Brae” attraction.

The village, which was opened in 1971 on 50 acres of salt marsh wetlands, has been the scene of several other movies as well.

“What is on offer inside is viewing and mingling with animals, birds and fauna from Jamaica as well as some rare and unique animals from across the region,” he said. “It is going to be a nice journey into wild Jamaica and the wild Americas.”

It’s also a “bird watcher’s paradise,” Gourzong said.

It’s all part of a renewed effort to revitalize the area.

“I think it will add to the ambience of this town, and so we can say that we are seeing our own attractions being opened up,” said Falmouth Mayor Councillor Collin Gager. “We hope that other [businessmen] will follow suit.”

Popular Posts caribbean island united dominica

United Airlines Has a New Nonstop Flight to an Adventure-Filled Caribbean Island With a Different Kind of Vibe

There’s a different kind of energy on this Caribbean island. Maybe it’s the waterfalls, or the geothermal energy pulsing beneath your feet. Perhaps it’s the serenity of the rainforest; or the allure of a far-off waterfall, the daunt of an […]


Hyatt Is Closing This Riviera Maya Resort, With Plans for a Rebranding

riviera maya resort closing

Hyatt is closing one of its top luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean in a few months, with plans for a rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, one of a trio of properties in the […]


Frontier Airlines Is Adding Another New Nonstop Flight to the Dominican Republic’s Most Popular Destination: Punta Cana

punta cana golf dominican republic

The beaches, the all-inclusives, the nightclubs, the beach bars. Punta Cana is the spot when it comes to Dominican Republic travel, and now it’s getting another nonstop route from one of the fastest-growing airlines in the Caribbean.  Low-cost carrier Frontier […]


Related Posts jamaica negril

The New LIAT Is Adding Another Caribbean Island: Jamaica 

The new iteration of regional carrier LIAT is adding another new Caribbean island to its roster: Jamaica. The popular destination will be Liat 2020’s newest destination when the first flight takes off on Dec. 20.  Flights will be operating between […]


Avelo Just Launched New Routes to Two Caribbean Destinations: Montego Bay and Cancun 

A beach in Montego Bay

They’re two of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean: Montego Bay, Jamaica and Cancun. In the post-pandemic period, they’re also two of the hottest places to visit in the hemisphere, both seeing a strong tourism renaissance in the last […]


This Top Riviera Maya Resort Brand Is Expanding to Montego Bay, Jamaica 

mexico hotels rcd

It’s one of the top all-inclusive resorts on the Riviera Maya in Mexico: UNICO 20°87°, which has earned rave reviews for its locally-focused, authenticity rich adults-only experience in the Mexican Caribbean. And now the UNICO brand is adding another latitude […]