Located just 3 hours south of Paramaribo, Brownsberg sits atop a forested plateau overlooking the massive Brokopondo Reservoir. The park is home to several waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, abundant wildlife, and miles of jungle trails, making it the perfect destination if you are looking for something more active to do outside of Paramaribo.
I visited Brownsberg as part of a 2-day trip that combined waterfall hikes in the rainforest with an overnight stay by the Brokopondo Reservoir. It ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Suriname. The road up the mountain was absolutely terrifying at times; our jeep was sliding all over the place, but the beautiful waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and incredible views more than made up for it.
In this guide, I will show you everything you need to know about visiting Brownsberg, including how to get there, whether it is worth doing independently, what to expect from the hikes, where to stay, and how to make the most of your time in one of Suriname's most accessible rainforest destinations.
Map of Brownsberg Attractions
Quick Summary
| ☀️ Day 1 Morning: | 2 Hours Drive To Brownsweg |
| ☀️ Day 1 Mid-Day: | 1 Hour Drive To Brownsberg Plateau |
| ☀️ Day 1 Afternoon: | 3 Hours Hike To The Waterfalls In Brownsberg |
| 🌙 Day 1 Evening: | Spend The Night At Ston Island Lodge |
| ☀️ Day 2 Morning: | Stroll Around Brokopondo Reservoir |
| ☀️ Day 2 Afternoon: | 2.5 Hours Drive Back To Paramaribo |
2-Day Brownsberg Itinerary
Day 1 Morning: 2 Hours Drive to Brownsweg
The adventure begins bright and early in Paramaribo as you leave the city behind and head south toward Brownsweg, a small village that serves as the gateway to Brownsberg Nature Park. The drive takes around two hours and gradually transitions from urban landscapes to rural villages and dense rainforest.
Along the way, you will get a glimpse of everyday life outside the capital as you pass through small communities scattered throughout Suriname’s interior. You can stop at one of the supermarkets in Brownsweg and stock up on supplies before continuing. Before long, the paved roads disappear and the real adventure begins.
Day 1 Mid-Day: 1 Hour Drive to Brownsberg Plateau
From Brownsweg, you will begin the steep ascent up Brownsberg Mountain. To be honest, calling this a road might be a little too generous. The track is rough, muddy, deeply rutted, and often resembles an obstacle course more than an actual road. It is a hell of a bumpy road so be prepared!
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The climb takes around an hour and can be quite the ride, especially after rain when the road turns into a slippery mess. Thankfully, experienced drivers tackle this route regularly, and watching them navigate the challenging terrain is an experience in itself. Do not attempt this drive yourself unless you have a proper 4x4 vehicle and experience driving on rough off-road terrain.
After about an hour of slipping and sliding your way up the mountain, you will finally reach the plateau and be rewarded with cooler temperatures, fresh jungle air, and incredible views over the vast Brokopondo Reservoir stretching toward the horizon.
Day 1 Afternoon: 3 Hours Hike to the Waterfalls in Brownsberg
After lunch, it is time to hit the trails and explore one of the highlights of Brownsberg. Several waterfalls can be reached via well-marked jungle paths, with Irene Falls and Leo Falls being among the most popular.
The hike is not particularly difficult, especially since the vehicle has already done most of the elevation gain for you, but the trails can become muddy and slippery in places. A decent pair of shoes will make a huge difference here.
As you make your way through the rainforest, keep an eye out for monkeys, colorful birds, and other wildlife hiding among the trees. The jungle feels alive with the constant sounds of insects, birds, and rushing water. We even spotted a baby toucan right before reaching the waterfall trail.
The waterfalls themselves are incredible and the perfect place to relax after the hike. Irene Falls is the closer of the two waterfalls, but I recommend heading straight to Leo Falls first so you can save Irene Falls for the return journey.
My guide told me that many people end up spending too much time relaxing at Leo Falls and then do not have the energy to continue on to Irene Falls afterward. His advice was to power through to the furthest waterfall first and then take your time relaxing on the way back, which is exactly what we did.
There is no pool where you can jump in and go for a swim at any of these waterfalls, but you can certainly stand under the waterfall and soak yourself before making your way back to the vehicle. After hiking through the humid rainforest, it definitely felt like a reward I had earned.
Day 1 Evening: Spend the night at Ston Island Lodge
After descending from Brownsberg, you will continue towards Ston Island Lodge, a peaceful retreat located on the shores of the Brokopondo Reservoir. This is where you will spend the night before returning to Paramaribo the following day.
Honestly, the accommodation here is way better than the one I saw up at Brownsberg. This one is right by the reservoir you saw from the mountain, the place comes equipped with AC and bathrooms with running water, where they have none of that in Brownsberg. The view from the lodge is also absolutely stunning.
I highly recommend coming out to the reservoir for both sunset and sunrise. Each offers a completely different atmosphere, with the evening feeling moodier and more dramatic, while the morning is calmer and more peaceful as the reservoir transforms into a beautiful mirror reflecting the surrounding forest and distant hills. It is quite a contrast to the dense rainforest you spent the day exploring and was definitely a welcome change of scenery.
Dinner is usually prepared by your guide in a designated kitchen area at the lodge, and everyone gathers together to eat, chat, and enjoy each other's company before settling in for a relaxing evening surrounded by nature. With very little light pollution, clear nights often bring excellent stargazing opportunities as well, so be sure to spend some time outside and look up at the sky before heading to bed.
Day 2 Morning: Stroll Around Brokopondo Reservoir
Wake up early and take advantage of the peaceful atmosphere around the reservoir. The calm waters, submerged tree trunks, and morning mist create an almost surreal landscape that feels completely different from anywhere else in Suriname. Go for a stroll along the reservoir and listen to the birds chirping as the first rays of sunlight bring the forest to life.
After breakfast, which is often prepared by your guide at around 8 AM, you can spend some time walking around the property, enjoying the views, and taking photos before beginning the journey back toward Paramaribo.
Day 2 Afternoon: 2.5 hours drive back to Paramaribo
By midday, it is time to head back to Paramaribo. The return journey takes around two and a half hours, giving you plenty of time to reflect on everything you experienced over the last two days.
For me, this was one of the best excursions I did from Paramaribo. It combined rainforest hiking, waterfalls, wildlife, scenic viewpoints, and a relaxing overnight stay by the reservoir into one well-balanced trip. If you only have time for one jungle adventure while visiting Suriname, Brownsberg is an easy recommendation.
Where to Stay in Paramaribo?
Since I recommend visiting Brownsberg as part of an organized tour, I suggest basing yourself in Paramaribo, where most tours depart from. There is only one government-run accommodation option up at Brownsberg, which can be booked on-site, so your choice of places to stay is quite limited.
For the night during your Brownsberg trip, I would personally just go with an organized tour, which will often include a stay at Ston Island Lodge on the shores of the Brokopondo Reservoir instead. Below are some of my recommended accommodations in Paramaribo, where I suggest basing yourself before and after the trip.
When to Visit Brownsberg?
Brownsberg can be visited year-round thanks to its tropical climate, but the best time to visit is during the two drier seasons, from February to April and from August to November. During these months, you are more likely to enjoy sunny days and lower rainfall, perfect for exploring the country's interior.
The wettest periods are generally from May to July and December to January. While rain showers can be intense, they are often short-lived and are usually followed by sunshine. The rainforest is also at its greenest during these months, so visiting in the rainy season is not necessarily a bad thing if you do not mind occasional downpours.
I visited in January, and even though it was technically part of the rainy season, it really wasn't that bad. When we were at Brownsberg, it was sunny in the morning, followed by light showers around midday, before clearing up again in the afternoon. The weather changed constantly throughout the day, but even when it did rain, it usually only lasted a few hours before clearing up again.
As long as you pack for all kinds of weather, you will be fine visiting Brownsberg at any time of the year. That said, the road up to Brownsberg becomes much more treacherous during the rainy season as it can get extremely muddy. Our jeep was sliding left and right the entire way up 😅.
How to Get to Brownsberg?
Brownsberg Nature Park is located about 130 km south of Paramaribo and can be reached in around 2.5 - 3 hours, depending on road conditions. The first part of the journey follows a paved highway toward Brownsweg, but the final stretch up the mountain is a steep, unpaved road that can become extremely muddy and challenging, especially during the rainy season. A 4x4 vehicle is a must. A regular car won't survive this road.
The easiest and most reliable way to visit Brownsberg is with an organized tour. Most tours include transportation from Paramaribo, an experienced driver familiar with the road conditions, meals, accommodation if you are staying overnight, and guided hikes within the park. After seeing the condition of the road myself, I would not recommend attempting the journey without a proper 4x4 and local knowledge.
If you prefer to travel independently, it is technically possible, but it will be a long and difficult day. If you are traveling solo, it will likely cost just as much, if not more, than joining a guided tour. For one, I would not recommend renting a car and attempting to drive up to Brownsberg yourself.
The road from Brownsweg to Brownsberg is rough, muddy, and deep in the Surinamese rainforest, making it difficult to navigate, especially if you are not experienced driving on this kind of terrain. It is possible to reach Brownsweg by public transportation from Paramaribo, which should cost around 1 - 2 EUR, and then arrange transport up to Brownsberg. However, you will need to organize the final leg in advance, and it will cost around 40+ EUR per jeep each way.
An organized tour, on the other hand, costs around 165 EUR and includes transportation, meals, accommodation at Ston Island, and all the logistics. While 165 EUR is certainly expensive compared to similar trips in many other countries, keep in mind that Suriname is not a cheap destination and traveling into the interior requires specialized vehicles, fuel, and local expertise. Personally, I thought it was a great experience and, although I wish it were cheaper, I did not regret spending the money.
If you insist on doing this independently, there is an excellent guide you can check out here: Visiting Brownsberg on a Budget. The guide covers everything from taking public transportation to Brownsweg and arranging onward transport to Brownsberg, as well as tips for visiting the park without joining a tour.
How many days to spend in Brownsberg?
I would recommend spending 2 days in Brownsberg if your schedule allows. While it is possible to visit as a day trip from Paramaribo, the long drive combined with the rough road conditions means you will spend a large portion of the day in a vehicle (6 hours) and may only have time to visit one waterfall before heading back.
With an overnight trip, you can explore multiple hiking trails, visit several waterfalls, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings without feeling rushed. Most overnight tours also include a stay near the Brokopondo Reservoir, which adds another dimension to the experience and allows you to see a different side of Suriname's interior.
There is also a 3-night itinerary available, but it is largely the same as the 2-day trip, except you get to spend a night at the plateau of Brownsberg. Personally, I think the pace is a little too relaxed for my liking, and I would probably get bored halfway through.
Another reason I opted for the 2-day trip is that the accommodation at Brownsberg has deteriorated a ton since COVID and is no longer considered the best place to stay. Some of the buildings have been taken over by bats, and from what I saw while visiting, it did not look particularly appealing as an overnight destination anyway.
Unless you are planning to spend several days hiking every trail in the park, I do not think you need more than 2 days in Brownsberg. An overnight trip provides enough time to see the highlights while keeping the itinerary active and interesting.
Is it safe in Brownsberg?
Yes, I found Brownsberg to be very safe and had no issues whatsoever during my visit. Brownsberg is a protected nature reserve visited primarily by hikers, nature lovers, and organized tour groups. Violent crime against tourists is extremely uncommon, and the biggest risks are related to the natural environment rather than other people.
The main things you need to watch out for are the hiking trails and the road up the mountain. The trails can become muddy and slippery, especially after rain, so wearing proper footwear is important. The road from Brownsweg to Brownsberg is also rough and can be quite an adventure in itself, particularly during the rainy season when sections become extremely muddy.
As with any rainforest destination, there is wildlife in the area, including snakes, insects, monkeys, and other animals. However, encounters with dangerous wildlife are rare, and if you stick to established trails and follow your guide's instructions, you are unlikely to run into any problems.
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