16-day cross country expedition

Day 1: Arrival – Paramaribo                       

Day 2: Paramaribo – Apoera

Day 3: Apoera – Blanche Marie

Day 4: Kaboeri Creek

Day 5: Apoera – Nickerie

Day 6: Nickerie – Bigi Pan

Day 7: Bigi Pan – Berlijn

Day 8: Berlijn

Day 9: Upper Suriname Area

Day 10: Upper Suriname Area

Day 11: Upper Suriname Area

Day 12: Upper Suriname Area – Afobaka

Day 13: Afobaka – Brownsberg – Paramaribo

Day 14: Paramaribo

Day 15: Return flight

Day 16: Arrival

Day 1: Arrival – Paramaribo                 

Transfer by shuttle bus to your hotel in the heart of Paramaribo, where you will stay the next night. All overnight stays in Paramaribo are in this mid-range hotel. If you leave Paramaribo for a multi-day trip, you can safely store part of your luggage here.

Travel distance: about 50 km / 60 min.

Meals: None

Accommodation: Hotel Eco Torarica based on 2-person room (with air conditioning and private bath & toilet

Specialties: None

Day 2: Paramaribo – Apoera

In the framework of the West-Suriname bauxite mining plan from 1976 a 80 kilometer long railway was built from the south of Apoera to the Bakhuis mountain area. Although never used, it was intended that Apoera would be developed into a port where bauxite ships could dock.

On your way to Apoera you will pass a number of indigenous villages and continue to the lunch stop at a Maroon village called Witagron. You continue with the second part of the journey that takes you over several creeks and bridges, through the forest to Apoera. Here you will spend the next 3 nights.

Travel distance: Approx. 360 km / 540 min. (depending on the road condition, it can take an hour longer)

Walking distance: N.A.

Meals: B, L & D

Departure time: 08.00 hrs

Accommodation: Simple double room (guesthouse style) without air conditioning, possibly for a fan and shared bathroom

Important notes: Please take into account that the road is partly of laterite. Due to large potholes it can be bumpy at sometimes, especially in the rainy season (people with regular back problems or those who get car sick may have a difficult time, although we make several stops on the way).

Day 3: Blanche Marie Falls

The Blanche Marie Falls with its imposing 120 meters width is one of the largest waterfalls in Suriname and was discovered in 1897 by Corstiaan van Drimmelen, who was district commissioner of Nickerie at the time. The falls are located in the Nickerie River in the Bakhuis Mountains.

Today you will have a full day excursion to these falls.

Travel distance: Approx. 100 km / 120 min.

Meals: B, L & D

Departure time: N.A.

Accommodation: Same as day 2

Important notes: Here too the road can be a bit bumpy (depending on the weather)

Day 4: Kaboeri kreek

In the morning you will visit the railway from “Somewhere to Nowhere”. Its intent was to transport bauxite from the Bakhuis mines to the dock in Apoera. Next is an encounter with the local Indians in a small village called Kwamala. Get acquainted with the culture of two indigenous tribes; the Arowakken and the Trios. In the afternoon you will make a cruise on the Kaburi creek, known for the beautiful nature and the giant otters.

Travel distance: Approx. 10 km

Walking distance: N.A.

Meals: B, L & D

Departure time: N.A.

Accommodation: Same as day 2 & 3

Important notes: No guarantee that we see the giant otters

Day 5: Apoera – Nickerie

An impressive boat trip over the wide boundary river with Guyana takes you to Nickerie, where your hotel is for 1 night. In the afternoon you have some time to explore the main town Nieuw Nickerie on your own. Make sure to visit the Hindu temple by the sea and walk along the famous Zeedijk (Seawall).

Travel distance: Approx. 80 km/ 180 min.

Walking distance: N.A.

Meals: B

Departure time: N.A.

Accommodation: A simple but comfortable hotel / double room with air conditioning and private bathroom

Important notes: At a normal water level, the boat trip from Apoera to Nickerie takes between 2 and 3 hours. Once you arrive in Nickerie you will be transported by taxi to your hotel.

Day 6: Nickerie – Bigi Pan Nature Reserve

Bigi Pan is home to122 coastal bird species, including the most famous red ibis and Flamingo. By boat you will discover this huge morass/swamp with a rich flora & fauna and experience this paradise for bird lovers at first hand. A simple but cozy lodge on the water will be your accommodation for 1 night.

Travel distance: Approx. 10 km/ 210 min.

Walking distance: N.A.

Meals: B, L & D

Departure time: N.A.

Accommodation: Wooden lodge on the water; small rooms, little old-fashioned style, 2 x single beds with thin mattress, private toilet and shared bathroom

Important notes: From your hotel you will be taken by taxi to the scaffolding where the guide for the Bigi Pan tour awaits you. You will sail approximately 45 minutes to the Bigi Pan Eco lodge

Day 7: Bigi Pan – Berlijn 

In the southern district of Para there is a small town called Berlijn where the famous Sabakoe creek flows through. As part of your transfer to Berlijn you will once again take the boat back to Nickerie and travel by road to a Jungle Camping, your final destination for this day. After 9 days in Suriname you already feel at home in the rain forest and the coming 2 nights you have a pure jungle experience in your tent or lodge* at the campsite.

Travel distance: Approx. 280 km / 270 min.

Meals: B, L & D

Departure time: Between 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs

Accomodation: Palulu camping; double room in a typical pond cabin with shared bathroom based on half board

Important notes: There is no guide available from Bigi Pan to Palulu. You will be brought to your destination by a cab driver so stopovers are not always possible

Day 8: Berlijn

Today you have a day off in-between and the opportunity to recover from the recent intensive expeditions. The creek that flows through the campsite is refreshing and perfect for swimming. It is also possible to take a nature hike, for example to the nearby village of Berlijn or an optional trip to the nearby zoo.

The Savannah area consists of tropical grasslands with scattered trees.

This area is crossed by creeks with dark brown water. The water in the creek is invigorating and full of minerals and owes its color to the flushing of the humus bottom. Enough wild life to see, from parrots and toucans to deer and wild boars.

Travel distance: N.v.t.

Meals: B & D (Lunch available for a fee)

Accommodation: Same as day 7

Important notes: Activities such as a walk in the forest, a trip to Bird Paradise and / or the butterfly garden can be discussed and booked on site

 Day 9-12 Berlijn – Upper Suriname

Today you travel further into the jungle by motorized dugout canoe via the Upper Suriname River to the island of Isadou. There are many Maroon villages in this area, where descendants of runaway slaves live. The hospitable people are very proud of their culture and are happy to introduce us to the centuries-old customs and habits. These have remained untouched by the isolated life deep in the rainforest. In this part of the river there are impressive rapids and at low tide small sandy beaches appear.

The next 3 days will be filled with adventurous activities such as intensive forest walks, village walks**, boat trips and evening caiman spotting by boat!

You spend the night in a simple wooden house with a view over the Jaw Jaw rapids.

Travel distance: approx. 150 km / 150 min.

Walking distance: Between 1 and 2 km / max. 120 min.

Meals: B, L & D* (*No dinner on day 12)

Departure time: between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Accommodation Isadou: Simple wooden lodge with 2 beds and private bath & toilet (no air conditioning)

Specialties: None

**due to COVID19, the village walk will not be performed (or adjusted) until further notice

Day 12 Isadou – Afobaka Resort

You will travel by boat and bus to Afobaka where you will spend the night. Afobaka Resort is a hour away (driven) from the Brownsberg top and few steps away from the Brokopondo lake. Afobaka is a village in the Brokopondo district that was developed when the dam was built in 1961. Today it forms an important transit port for the maroons that live in the villages along the Brokopondo lake.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation Afobaka Resort: Double room with air conditioning and shared bathroom

Important notes Afobaka resort: if there is time and a boat is available, you have the opportunity to book a 30-minute boat trip on the lake. You can also relax by the river that runs past this resort

Day 13: Afobaka Resort – Brownsberg Nature Reserve – Paramaribo

This reserve covers 6000 hectares of unspoiled tropical rain forest and its mountains offer stunning views of the nearby lake. On the way down to the mountain foot where the idyllic waterfalls are located, we might come face to face with various animals like monkeys, birds and agoutis.

Late in the afternoon your start your transfer back to Paramaribo where you will spend your 2 last nights in Suriname.

Travel distance: Approx. 28 km/ 90 min.

Walking distance: Approx. 3 km/ 180 min. in total

Meals: B & L (no dinner on day 13)

Departure time: Between 10.00 hrs. and 11.00 hrs.

Important notes: The walk in the forest at Brownsberg, towards Leo fall (one of the nearest waterfalls) takes about 3 hours back and forth with inequalities and steep parts every now and then

 Day 14: Paramaribo

This is the last day in Suriname. A day to relax at the swimming pool or to go shopping in the city center. For adventurers there are optional excursions like the Warappa creek or ziplining at Bergendal River Resort.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Same as day 1

Important notes: Some suggestions for optional excursions that start from 2 people include Commewijne river cruise, Bike tour Peperpot plantation, Busi wagi, Houttuyn Wellness River Resort (you can read more about this on our website)

Day 15: Departure 

In the morning you are free to enjoy the pool or buy the last souvenirs. In the afternoon your airport shuttle leaves for the airport for the return flight.

Travel distance: approx. 50 km

Meals: O

Day 16: Arrival

You will arrive at your starting point on this day.

*(Program is subject to change)