Overview
Suriname is the greenest country in the world. More than eighty percent of the soil is covered with virgin Amazon rainforest. Deep in that jungle live the Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves who built a free life here. Because of their isolated way of life, a culture of its own developed that is sometimes called ‘the best preserved piece of Africa outside Africa’. There are no main roads, the Upper Suriname is the lifeline.
In this river lies the holiday island of Isadou. This lodge is owned by a local Maroon couple. Selientje Adipi and André Kaise both come from the Saramaccans, one of the six Surinamese Maroon tribes. From ‘nothing’, i.e. pure jungle, they have been building their dream since 1994 and opened Isadou in the year 2000.
The island is still an oasis of peace. Authentic wooden huts with private shower and toilet are grouped around a centrally located lawn where you can easily kick a ball. André and Selientje didn’t have to do anything for swimming, which is present all around. Bubbling soelas in the river even provide natural massage baths. Relaxing in the hammock, a barbecue around a crackling fire, Selien’s delicious meals, an ice-cold beer… It is daily fare on Isadou.
On the other side is Jaw Jaw. Much of the work on Isadou is done by residents of this Maroon village who do their utmost to make the guests feel at home: the laundry in the river; cleaning the cabins; maintaining the lawn; cook; and guiding tourists on special tours that are so normal for these locals. The charm of traditional customs and manners can therefore be experienced on Isadou well. In short, Isadou is a paradise. And the name? Means welcome in the local language, Saramaccan.