[Private] Black River Safari and Appleton Rum Tour

APPLETON RUM TOUR: On arrival at the Appleton Estate, visitors are given a briefing about the history of the factory and the process of making rum, watch a short documentary about the Appleton Estates and the distillery while having a few cups of the most refreshing rum punch the island has to offer. The Appleton Rum is one of the most popular brands in the world. After a video lesson of how the cane juice is extracted, fermented, aged, blended and bottled you will go on a guided 60-minute tour of the estate. Jamaica produces some of the most famous rums in the world, so a tour to the famous Appleton Estate should be on your must do list when you visit the island. The estate is 11,000 acres located in the Nassau Valley, in St. Elizabeth on the southern side of Jamaica.

BLACK RIVER SAFARI TOUR: Upon arrival at Black River, you will sit at the Riverside Dock for lunch. After lunch, you will meet your Safari Tour Guide, hop into a safari boat (Pontoon) and float along the Black River. The tour takes you approximately 6 miles up the river. Along the way, watch for crocodiles, eagles, great white egrets, great night herons and more wildlife in their natural environment. Black River and its wildlife, including endemic bird species. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass and many are seen during your trip. Crabs, rare or endemic plants such as water lilies and others – North American crocodiles and Tarpons also occupy their space in the Black River. If you are lucky, you will see a 250 pounds tarpon cruising along. Get your cameras ready as your Safari Captain call the crocodiles, feed them chicken meat and pet them – no, your tour guide is not crazy but they have an excellent relationship with their friends from the Safari and are ready to share their experience and expertise with you! You might even see local fishers snorkeling the river collecting their crab traps or spear fishing right there among the crocodiles and other wildlife – and no, they’re not crazy! It’s just a way of life!

COLUMBUS PARK (Pass by without stopping): The town of Discovery Bay is where you will find Columbus Park. It was originally named Puerto Seco “Dry Harbour” by Christopher Columbus in 1494 when he and his men landed on the Island. It is said that could not find fresh water to drink. They later found fresh water in another area about 5 miles west of the town. The water was so good that they named the location where it was found Rio Bueno “Good River”. However, the town of Puerto Seco was later renamed in 1947 to Discovery Bay because Discovery Bay is where the Spanish, lead by Christopher Columbus landed when they invaded the Island on May 4, 1494. There is a park with several old relics and artifacts on display (Park temporarily closed for renovations). There will be a brief stop to take photos and capture the rich history of this historic town. Only travelers from Runaway Bay will see this park.

ROSE HALL GREAT HOUSE (Pass by without stopping): This Rose Hall Great House is an early 18th century plantation home that sits on a high elevation on thousands of acres in Rose Hall, Montego Bay. The Rose Hall Great House was once owned by the famous and certainly one of the wickedest plantation owners to walk the land of Jamaica, Annie Palmer. She owned hundreds of slaves. Annie Palmer managed to kill three of her four husbands – she was strangled by the fourth. This house became haunted after her gruesome death in 1831. The house is scary to look at even in the daytime. On this tour there is no stop at the Rose Hall Haunted Mansion however, your tour guide will tell you the history and slow down so that you can take photos. Only travelers from Runaway Bay, Falmouth and some Montego Bay hotels will see this house.

GREENWOOD GREAT HOUSE (Pass by without stopping): The Greenwood Great House (Plantation home) was constructed in the early 18th Century. Like most, if not all the other Great Houses in Jamaica, the Greenwood Great House was built at high elevation. One could say that this was a strategy used back in the plantation era as a means of overlooking the plantation and also for security purposes. This house, unlike the Rose Hall Great House, is not haunted but of a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The history and the architecture of the house is what will blow you away. As you pass by, feel free to take photos when your tour guide slows down. Only travelers from Runaway Bay, Falmouth will see this house.