Discover Suriname : Geography

The natural regions

The alluvial coastal plain, originally occupied by mangroves and swamps, is the one that has been most transformed by man. The hinterland of the white sand and clay outwash is still referred to as the intermediate savannah zone. This is the Guiana savannah zone, sandy and infertile land. But despite the poor soils, it has been partly modified by the slash-and-burn agriculture of the natives and Bushinengués, as it is easier to penetrate and the soil easier to cultivate.

The forested interior of the peneplain and high hill massifs occupies most of Suriname's surface area. It is characterized by its undulating terrain, the thickness of the alterite mantle covering the parent rocks, the opacity of the forest and the rainfall. It presents costly obstacles to human penetration. This is the virgin forest, immense and mysterious, where huge, majestic giants of hardwood, heavy and precious, crowned with grandiose peaks and sporting variations of colorful flowers, rise above abundant vegetation. It is also the site of hills and mountains, rocks and swamps; the picturesque site of innumerable springs and creeks, which intermingle and unite and flow into the rivers - the Corentyne, the Coppename, the Saramacca, the Suriname, the Commewijne, the Cottica and the Maroni - which water the coastline and return to the ocean through mouths of astonishing width. This is also where the soil hides its wealth of minerals, gold, diamonds and bauxite.
This forest, often primary, is partly protected by nature reserves and sustainably exploited in certain areas. It is home to a number of precious woods, some with little-known medicinal properties, while others, such as ipe and amaranth, are rot-proof. The discovery of these majestic trees and their impressive foothills, as well as their various uses, is fascinating.

Rich aquatic environments

Despite a threat from gold mining practices, Suriname's freshwater reserves are large and of good quality, and freshwater fish are an important source of nutrition and income for the coastal and inland populations. Suriname's marine environments are also a source of income through fishing and ecotourism. The Surinamese coast is very dynamic and has a particularity specific to the Guiana Shield: the continuous transport of mud and sediments from the Amazon. This mixture of fresh water and sea water in a semi-closed estuarine area under the influence of the tides gives it one of the richest ecosystems in the world. The beaches are also home to many endangered species of marine turtles, such as the leatherback or olive ridley turtle.

The Guiana Shield

This term does not refer to a specific region of Suriname, but to a group of massifs spanning six countries: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela and Suriname. These imposing high plateaus are among the oldest on the planet. Above all, they represent an environmental challenge: with 25% of the world's tropical forests still intact and 15% of the world's freshwater reserves, it is essential to preserve this region of the world. However, the subsoil is overflowing with raw materials (gold, hydrocarbons, etc.), fuelling illegal and destructive activities such as mining, and geopolitical tensions, as demonstrated by the recent Venezuelan offensive on the Essequibo region of neighbouring Guyana, where territorial claims are motivated by the area's incredible wealth in hydrocarbons.

The national parks of Suriname

This lush country is a fantastic destination for nature lovers in search of wild, green expanses. Suriname has one park, one private reserve and eleven nature reserves, which can be explored over several days. As a general rule, national parks are vast areas within which agricultural and commercial activities, as well as motorized traffic, are regulated, the aim being to protect the flora and fauna, as well as the human heritage. These are public administrative establishments. The reserves, on the other hand, are smaller and highly protected, with exclusively scientific aims. They are managed by 1901 associations or local authorities, and may be set up within a national park.
Since 1966, STINASU (Fondation pour la conservation de la nature au Suriname), the Foundation for Nature Conservation in Suriname, has been responsible for managing and promoting these nature reserves, and encouraging sustainable tourism.

Brownsberg Nature Park. A must-see for regular observation of primates and birds. The park is located 130 km south of the capital, in the Brokopondo district, and covers an area of 12,200 ha. The various hiking trails are regularly maintained and well signposted, fully adapted to different levels of walker. A highlight not to be missed under any circumstances: climbing the immense Brownsberg mountain plateau, which rises to 500 m in the center of the park, and enjoying the view over the artificial lake created by the Afobaka dam.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve. Completely in the center of the country, over 200 km south of Paramaribo, this reserve is only accessible by plane or bus. Established in 1998, it comprises the Raleighvallen, Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haangebergte reserves, and currently covers an area of over 1.6 million hectares. Unesco included the reserve on its list of natural World Heritage Sites in 2000.

Peperpot Nature Park private reserve. This 700-hectare reserve is a former coffee and cocoa plantation. It now boasts a unique feature: it is a corridor linking coastal species with the interior. Just 10 minutes from Paramaribo, this park offers a unique birdwatching experience.

Sipaliwini Nature Reserve. In the south of Suriname, in the Sipalawini district, this nature reserve covers an area of 1,000 km². An opportunity to discover unique and rare flora and fauna.

Brinckheuvel Nature Reserve. This small reserve is one of Suriname's oldest. It is located in the Brokopondo district, between the Suriname River and Saramacca.

Boven Coesewijne Nature Reserve. This reserve, which dates back to 1986, has a very specific environment: savannahs and white sandbanks. Accessible on foot or by boat.

Hertenrits Nature Reserve. Founded in 1972, Hertenrits is Suriname's smallest reserve, located in the Nickerie district. It is a very special place for Surinamese cultural heritage: the remains of a pre-Columbian existence have been found here.

Peruvia Nature Reserve. Created in 1986, this reserve is located in the Coronie district, opposite the mouth of the Coppename River, in the freshwater section. Numerous species of palm trees can be seen here, as well as blue and yellow macaws.

Coppename Monding Nature Reserve. Created in 1966, this is a popular spot for birdwatchers, as it is located along the coast near the mouth of the Coppename River, in the Saramacca district.

Copi Nature Reserve. In the Para district, this reserve was created in 1986 to better conserve its wet savannahs, marshes and white sand forests, not to mention its remarkable fauna (caimans, otters, etc.).

Wane Kreek Nature Reserve. Created in 1986, it lies between the savannah belt and the old coastal plain, in the Marowijne district. Its wet savannahs offer visitors an exceptional landscape.

Galibi Nature Reserve. Located at the mouth of the Maroni, along the French Guiana border, this reserve is only accessible by boat. Several Amerindian villages are located within the reserve, and every year you can witness an exceptional and rare spectacle: the laying of sea turtles, notably leatherbacks(Dermochelys coriacea), green turtles(Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley turtles(Lepidochelys olivacea).

Wia Wia Nature Reserve. It used to be a nesting beach for sea turtles, but due to natural erosion, it's now the birds that visitors come to see, especially the red ibis(Eudocimus rubber). Created in 1966, the reserve is located in the Marowijne district, west of Galibi, and can also be reached by boat.

Activities to do on site

Hiking. This is one of the most popular activities for tourists in Suriname. A stay in the rainforest would be incomplete without climbing through the vegetation to reach the top of an inselberg. Whether it's climbing Mount Kasikasima for the more experienced, or Voltzberg in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, adventure and a change of scenery are guaranteed.

Sport fishing. A wilderness destination, Suriname is a paradise for sport fishing enthusiasts, and many operators offer fishing tours. The rainforest rivers are teeming with exotic fish. No-kill" fishing is generally practised by all (catch-and-release is compulsory) as part of the preservation of aquatic fauna.

Kayaking. Kayaking is available at a number of sites, including Bergendal, Kabalebo and Lake Brokopondo.

Zip-lining. This activity, known here as Canopy Zip Line, is offered at Bergendal Adventure center.

Survival. A number of Paramaribo agencies offer immersions in hostile environments, generally accompanied by a guide, to learn how to survive in the rainforest.

Bicycles. Numerous companies rent bicycles and offer organized tours in and around Paramaribo, including visits to plantations.