Discover Brownsberg and Stone Island
Ninety minutes past the last paved road, the rainforest closes in and the Brokopondo Reservoir opens up beneath you — a flooded forest of bone-white treetops stretching to the horizon. This is Brownsberg: 12,000 hectares of protected rainforest, home to all eight of Suriname’s monkey species, hiking trails to two waterfalls, and a viewpoint most visitors call the best in the country. Hike it in the morning, cool off under Leo Falls by midday, then descend to Stone Island — a quiet peninsula inside the reservoir itself — for a night of hammocks, open water, campfire stories and a sunrise you won’t get anywhere near a hotel.
Guided personally by an experienced naturalist tourguide, and 15+ years exploring this exact stretch of forest. This isn’t a bus tour with a script. It’s a slow, well-paced two days built around what’s actually in front of you: the birdsong that tells you a species before you see it, the reason the drowned trees haven’t rotted in 60 years, the spot on the mountain where the howlers are loudest at dawn.
Day 1 — Rainforest Hike, Waterfalls & the Reservoir at Dusk
07:30 — Pickup in Paramaribo. Comfortable, SUV transport heads south on the road to Brokopondo. About an hour in, we stop in the open savanna for coffee, tea and a sandwich, and talk through what’s ahead — the bauxite mining history, the transmigration villages you’re passing, and how the reservoir behind Brownsberg came to be.
10:30 — Arrival at Brownsberg Nature Park. The final stretch climbs onto the plateau — expect a bumpy, scenic finish. First stop: the Mazaroni Plateau viewpoint, 500 metres up, looking straight out over the rainforest canopy and the Van Blommestein (Brokopondo) Reservoir. This is the photo everyone comes for.
12:00 — Guided rainforest hike. A moderately intensive walk down through primary and secondary rainforest toward the lower falls. Brownsberg holds close to 1,450 plant species and around 350 recorded bird species — among the richest concentrations anywhere in South America — and with all eight of Suriname’s monkey species living on the mountain, spotting one isn’t unusual. The guide reads the forest as we go: alarm calls, fruiting trees, the tracks worth stopping for.
13:30 — Leo Falls (or Irene Falls, trail-dependent). Step under the falls and cool off — the reward at the bottom of the descent. Take your time here; it’s the best natural shower in Suriname.
15:30 — Hike back up to the plateau. The return climb takes more effort than the way down. We go at a relaxed, guided pace with stops for water and wildlife.
16:15 — Lunch on the mountain, with the reservoir view still in front of you.
17:30 — Depart Brownsberg for Stone Island, descending toward the shore of the reservoir.
18:30 — Arrival at Stone Island (Ston Eiland). A peninsula inside the Brokopondo Reservoir, reachable by boat, and one of the most peaceful overnight stops in the country. Settle into simple accommodation — beds or hammocks with mosquito nets — then swim, fish, or just watch the drowned treetops turn gold as the sun drops.
20:00 — Dinner, followed by stargazing.
Day 2 — Sunrise, the Reservoir & Return to Paramaribo
05:30 — Wake to the howler monkeys. Between 5:30 and 6:30 AM, watch the sunrise break over the water — genuinely one of the best reasons to do this trip as two days instead of a rushed day trip.
07:00 — Breakfast.
08:00 — Free morning on the water. Swim, fish, or take an optional dugout-canoe trip across a section of the reservoir to get close to the flooded forest (kayaks and canoes can also be rented independently at Stone Island).
11:00 — Depart for Paramaribo.
14:30–15:00 — Estimated arrival back in the city.
What’s Included / What to Bring
Included: licensed guide throughout, Brownsberg park entrance, transport Paramaribo–Brownsberg–Stone Island–Paramaribo, 1 night accommodation on Stone Island (bed or hammock with mosquito net), 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, coffee/tea stop.
Bring: sturdy hiking shoes, sandals/flip-flops for the island, swimwear and a towel, light rain jacket, insect repellent, sun protection, a change of dry clothes for after the waterfall, flashlight, passport or ID (checkpoint en route), refillable water bottle, small daypack, camera or binoculars, cash in SRD for extras.
Fitness level: Moderate. The hike to the falls is around an hour down and an hour back up, on uneven, sometimes muddy or steep jungle trail. It’s guided at a relaxed pace with regular stops, and it’s genuinely doable for reasonably active travelers — but it’s not a boardwalk. Families with older children do this trip regularly.
Trip option Departure minimum of 4 people
- 2 days / 1 night tour | € 190,– p.p.
- Ask about combining with Jodensavanna, the Upper Suriname, or Fredberg for a longer expedition
Payment method
Bank · Cash · Bitcoin
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Brownsberg and Stone Island? Both are in the Brokopondo district, roughly 130 km / 2.5–3 hours south of Paramaribo. Brownsberg is a mountain-plateau nature park overlooking the Brokopondo (Van Blommestein) Reservoir; Stone Island is a peninsula inside that same reservoir.
Is the hike to the waterfalls difficult? It’s a moderate hike — about an hour down and an hour back up on uneven jungle trail, with some steep sections. A reasonable fitness level helps, but it’s guided at a relaxed pace and manageable for most active travelers, including many families.
Is this trip suitable for children? Yes, families join regularly. The main thing to plan around is the waterfall hike, which does require some stamina and sure footing.
What’s the accommodation like on Stone Island? Simple and comfortable — a bed or hammock with mosquito net inside basic island housing, not a resort. It’s the trade-off for waking up on a private peninsula inside the reservoir instead of a hotel room.
What if it rains? Tours proceed through light rain, which is normal in Suriname’s climate and rarely lasts long. Heavier rain may adjust the day’s timing, decided on-site by your guide.
Can this be combined with other tours? Yes — this trip pairs well with a stay at Afobaka Resort, a visit to Jodensavanna, or as the first leg of a longer expedition into the Upper Suriname or toward Fredberg. Ask when booking.