Bigi Pan Suriname
A breathtaking nature reserve where you must have been on holiday — thousands of scarlet ibis and flamingo gather across 679 km² of mangroves, mudflats and open water.
"Big Lake" — and one of Suriname's great wildlife spectacles
Bigi Pan is the largest lagoon in Suriname, connected to the Nickerie River via the Jamaer Canal. It's the great bird diversity here — and the fact that hundreds of thousands of migratory birds use the Bigi Pan Special Management Area as a feeding ground — that has earned this wetland international recognition. The striking scarlet ibis and flamingo both call the area home.
"Bigi Pan" means "Big Lake" in Sranan Tongo. The area is made up of countless creeks, mangroves, and wet and dry swamps. It's designated a Special Control Area, meaning fishing, agriculture and aquaculture may still take place here, but only in ways that protect the area's productivity and resources for the long term.
Land area of the Bigi Pan Special Management Area, roughly matched by open water
Bird species that live in Bigi Pan year-round
Migratory species that winter here from the cold north
Scarlet ibis, flamingo, and everything in between
Scarlet Ibis
One of the most famous birds of Bigi Pan, and the species most visitors come to see — flocks of vivid scarlet against the green mangroves.
Flamingo
Bigi Pan's shallow lagoons and mudflats make ideal feeding grounds for flamingo, often spotted alongside the ibis in large mixed flocks.
Fish & reptiles
Beyond the birdlife, Bigi Pan is rich in fish species such as tilapia, along with a wide variety of reptiles in and around its waters.
Creeks & mangroves
Wet and dry swamps, tidal creeks and mangrove forest make up the wetland — with the sea boundary marked where low-tide depth stays under 6 metres.
Lodges of Bigi Pan
Mandje
One of several lodges offering overnight comfort in the heart of Bigi Pan.
Stephanie's Lodge
A well-known base for boat trips out onto the lagoon at dawn and dusk.
Bigi Pan Eco Lodge
Simple, nature-focused lodging right on the water's edge.
Akira Over Water Resort
Accommodation built out over the lagoon itself, for full immersion.
Bigi Pan MUMA
The Bigi Pan Special Management Area sits in the north-western part of Suriname's Estuarine zone, north of the Nickerie River. About 15,000 hectares of the land area has been reclaimed for rice cultivation, with a small area also used for livestock.
Its management is in the hands of LBB ('s Lands Bosbeheer), part of Suriname's Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management.
Learn more about LBB →What makes it special
A two-day tour through the magical Bigi Pan
Beautiful flora and fauna at every turn
An attractive price for an overnight lodge stay
A good combination of culture and nature
No malaria risk in this area
Departs with just five people, on regular days
Included
- Day trip (multiple-day options available)
- Guided by a naturalist guide
- Refreshments / picnic lunch
Not included
- Alcohol and personal expenses
- Payment by bank or cash on site
Ready for Bigi Pan?
Send us your preferred date and number of travellers, and we'll confirm your spot on the next departure.