At a glance
- Best for
- Deep rainforest, birds, monkeys and a granite dome climb
- Nearest airport
- Zorg en Hoop in Paramaribo for charter flights to the airstrip
- Time needed
- Three to five days
- Best time
- The long dry season, roughly mid August to November
- Getting around
- Organised packages by small plane or road and boat
- Good to know
- Trips depend on charter flights and lodge availability, so book well ahead
Why visit
If you want to feel the scale of the Amazon and Guiana Shield forests, this is the place. The reserve protects whole river basins with almost no human settlement, along with granite inselbergs, savannah patches and mountains. It holds jaguars, giant otters, eight species of primates, tapirs and hundreds of birds. Few people come, and you may share the area only with your group and the rangers.
Raleighvallen
**Raleighvallen**, or Raleigh Falls, is a wide stretch of rapids and small falls on the Coppename River. **Foengoe Island** in the middle of the river has been the base for visitors, with simple lodges and an airstrip nearby. From here, boats take you to swim in calm pools, and trails lead into the forest. Spider monkeys, capuchins and black and white bearded sakis are often seen, and the river is good for birds such as kingfishers and herons.
The Voltzberg
The highlight for many is the walk to the **Voltzberg**, a granite dome about two hundred and forty metres high. The trail through the forest takes several hours, and the final climb up the bare rock is steep but manageable with care and a guide. From the top the view is pure forest in every direction. On the way you may pass a lek of **Guianan cock of the rock**, brilliant orange birds that display on the forest floor.
Many groups camp near the base of the Voltzberg and climb at sunrise or sunset, when the light is best and the rock is cooler.
Getting there
Access is by charter flight from Zorg en Hoop airport in Paramaribo to the airstrip near Raleighvallen, or by road to the Coppename area followed by a long boat trip. Both are usually arranged as packages through STINASU or tour operators, with meals, guides and lodging included. Flights depend on weather and minimum numbers, so leave flexibility in your plans.
What to expect
Facilities are basic: simple rooms or hammocks, shared bathrooms, generator power at set hours and no mobile signal in most places. Food is cooked for the group. Bring a headtorch, insect repellent, quick drying clothes, sturdy shoes, a rain jacket, a small first aid kit and any medicine you need. Talk to a travel clinic about yellow fever and malaria advice for the interior.
Other parts of the reserve
The reserve also includes the **Tafelberg**, a table mountain, and the **Eilerts de Haan** mountains, which are only reached on serious expeditions. For most travellers, Raleighvallen and the Voltzberg give an excellent taste of the wilderness.
A typical trip
A common plan is four days: fly in on the first morning and settle on Foengoe Island, swim and walk short trails in the afternoon, then hike to the Voltzberg on the second day and camp near its base. Climb at sunrise on the third morning, walk back and enjoy a last evening on the river, and fly out on the fourth day. Shorter trips are possible but feel rushed.
Why it matters
The reserve protects headwaters and forest that are under pressure from gold mining and logging elsewhere in the region. Visiting with official operators supports the rangers and the case for keeping it wild.
Questions about the Central Suriname Nature Reserve
How do I get to Raleighvallen?
Usually by charter flight from Zorg en Hoop airport in Paramaribo, or by road and boat. Both are normally booked as a package with lodging, meals and a guide.
How hard is the Voltzberg climb?
The forest walk is long and humid, and the final rock climb is steep. Anyone with reasonable fitness and good shoes can do it with a guide.
Is the Central Suriname Nature Reserve a World Heritage Site?
Yes. UNESCO listed it in 2000 for its intact rainforest, river systems and wildlife.
When is the best time to visit Raleighvallen?
The long dry season, roughly mid August to November, has easier trails and more reliable flights.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
