The charm of the Caribbean, the Flora, Fauna, and Forests of South America This two island country lies only 10 miles off the coast of Venezuela, the southernmost of the West Indies, at the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea. Geologically, Trinidad only recently separated from the South American continent, retaining a strong representational biological richness and wealth in a very small geographical area.

430 birds
108 mammals
80 reptiles and amphibians
2,300 flowering shrubs and plants
630 butterflies
700 orchids

Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge

A former coffee and cocoa plantation, the Asa Wright Center and Lodge, Trinidad, is world famous for the wealth of wildlife in this 200 acre sanctuary. Twenty-five or more birds are spotted before breakfast from the grand veranda overlooking the Arima Valley. The plantation house is situated on a hillside of the Northern Range. It was here that the New York Zoological Society established their first tropical ecology center in 1949. Lodging is in one of the comfortable cottages nearby. Blue Waters Inn

The Blue Waters Inn is a secluded beachfront hotel on the windward coast, settled on its own horseshoe curved Batteaux Bay. Away from Tobago's main tourist areas, the resort's beach and mountainside grounds offer a very natural experience, above and below the water. The snorkeling off the beach is excellent, kayaks are available for your use, and bananaquits will greet you at breakfast!

Itinerary Highlights

A Lush Tropical Island Rain Forest Introduction to the Wildlife Riches of South America Northern Range/Blanchisseuse

The trip and travels through and over the Northern Range to the seaside community of Blanchisseuse. All along the twisting mountain road are opportunities for birds and other wildlife, including those more frequently spotted in the higher elevations. We look at leaf-cutter and army ants, and stop to appreciate the orchids and abundant tropical flora. If our timing is right there are tidal pools to explore on this Caribbean beach.

Caroni Marsh

The spectacular sight of hundreds (or thousands!) of scarlet ibis coming to roost in the mangroves at sunset may be the highlight of your trip if not of your birding career. Caroni Marsh is the most accessible roost for scarlet ibis anywhere. We are guided by boat through a series of mangrove lined waterways to a large open lagoon. Possible sightings are a variety of wading birds - herons including boat-billed, conebills, woodcreepers, potoo, and the tree boas.

Oilbirds of Dunstan Cave

A truly unique experience, the trek to the famed oilbirds cave. Winding down the hillside to a steep rock-faced ravine is the beginning of the experience. The "cave" is formed by two cliffs which almost join and allow no light in this stream passage. This is the roost of the bizarre oilbirds. To hear them is a sound quite unusual, like nothing you have ever experienced. Forest birds frequently sighted are the Violaceous trogon, channel-billed toucan, chestnut woodpecker, white-bearded manakin, turquoise and bay-headed tanagers.

Aripo Savannah

The Aripo Savannah is an area of extremely acidic soil with poor drainage, and is a remnant of what was once a major habitat of lowland Trinidad, historically converted to sugar cane. Very little of the original savannah is left, but a large part was developed into an airstrip during World War II. Now what remains are good touring tracks for the specialty birds that frequent the scarce moriche palms. With some luck the red-bellied macaws will be flying overhead. On the way we will stop at a colony of yellow-rumped caciques.

Little Tobago Island Sanctuary/Angel Reef

A glass-bottom boat ride across Angel Reef, observing tropical fishes, corals and sponges, brings you to the island sanctuary. After a short and leisurely, but steep zig-zag climb, birding all the way, you reach an excellent overlook. Magnificent Frigates, red-footed and brown boobies, red-billed tropic birds, Audubon's shearwater, Brown and Sooty Noddy, and an assortment of terns will fill the air before you. Gilpin Trace Rainforest Preserve

Traveling up and over the Central Ridge, a mountainous range running the length of Tobago, you cross from the Atlantic to the Caribbean. The winding road has ample opportunities for wildlife sightings enroute to Gilpin Trace, our guided hike deep into rain forest. The Rainforest Preserve, the oldest in the western hemisphere, with elevations over 2,000 feet, will likely provide views of the once thought to be extinct White-tailed Sabrewing, as well as numerous deep forest species.

Please see Reservation Information for trip included/not-included details.