Deep Interior Suriname Herping Expedition

Logistics & Itinerary

Paramaribo & Godolo

Days 1–2

The expedition begins in Paramaribo, where the team assembles before heading into the interior. After an initial briefing and optional night walk, we take an early flight deep into the south, landing at the remote airstrip of Godolo.

From here, the sense of isolation begins immediately as we travel by boat into untouched rainforest to establish our first hammock camp. This is our first real immersion into the Amazon, with night herping commencing straight away in completely undisturbed habitat.

Apetina & Upper Rivers

Days 3–4

We push deeper into the interior with a long boat journey along remote jungle rivers, travelling for hours through pristine forest to reach the Wayana village of Apetina. This community becomes our main base and a gateway to an extraordinary range of habitats.

The surrounding landscape is a herper’s dream, with primary rainforest, riverbanks, and powerful rapids such as Punsoela creating ideal conditions for amphibians and reptiles. Days are spent exploring forest trails and river systems, while nights are dedicated to intensive herping in an area that has seen little to no prior survey effort.

Tepu Top & Granda Futu Rapids

Day 5

From Apetina we travel by boat to the remote Tepu Top mountain, climbing through dense forest to reach higher elevations before descending to the Granda Futu Rapids, where we establish a true expedition-style hammock camp.

This is raw, untouched habitat at its finest. The combination of elevation, fast-flowing water, and pristine forest creates exceptional conditions for herping, particularly at night when the forest comes alive. This is one of the most exciting and least explored phases of the expedition.

Return to Apetina

Day 6

After a final morning in this remote setting, we return to Apetina. There is an opportunity to experience traditional fishing with the Wayana community before continuing night surveys around the village and surrounding forest.

Roosevelt Peak

Days 7–8

We then embark on another major push into the unknown, travelling by boat to the base of Roosevelt Peak. After setting up camp, we explore the surrounding forest and undertake a full climb of the peak.

This isolated upland environment offers a completely different perspective on the region’s biodiversity, with the potential for rarely encountered or even undocumented species. With minimal human presence and no established herping history, this phase represents true exploration in every sense.

Apetina & Final Exploration Phase

Days 9–10

Returning to Apetina, we spend the final days maximizing field time in this incredibly productive region. With knowledge gained throughout the expedition, we revisit key habitats, explore new areas by boat, and continue intensive night herping.

A dedicated workshop with Snake Patrol Suriname adds an important conservation element, focusing on snake awareness, safe handling, and human–wildlife coexistence within local communities.

Return to Paramaribo via Palulu

Days 11–12

We conclude the expedition with a flight out of the interior, returning to Paramaribo before transferring to a nearby jungle lodge at Palulu. A final night walk provides one last opportunity to encounter wildlife before departure the following day.

Accommodation

This expedition is as raw and real as it gets. Operating in an extremely remote part of Suriname with limited infrastructure, participants should expect hot, humid conditions, physically demanding fieldwork, and basic accommodation including hammock camps and village stays.