Wildlife Tours to Trinidad and TobagoTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Leatherback Turtle © Papyrus Tours
| Tour Ref. | Days | Dates | Party Size |
Cost |
Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TT1/12 | 16 | Thursday 11th to Friday 26th April 2012 | 10 plus leader | Est. £3550 (£585)* | Roger Mitchell |
*Single room supplement
Tour Destinations :
- Asa Wright Nature Centre
- Aripo Savannah and Arena Forest
- Caroni Swamp and Waterloo Shoreline
- Nariva Swamp
- Dunston Cave Oilbird Colony
- Blanchisseuse
- Tobago Rainforest Reserve
- Little Tobago
Tour Summary
Trinidad and Tobago
The islands of Trinidad and Tobago provide the best birdwatching in the Caribbean, a product of the islands being an extension, geologically, of the South American mainland. The bird life on Trinidad provides an ideal introduction to South American birds with over 400 species recorded in its rainforests, savannah and wetlands. Tobago island, further from the mainland, is less diverse but has the oldest rainforest reserve in the Caribbean and is home to several Caribbean endemics; also seabird colonies on Little Tobago, and a superb variety of marine life on the island’s coral reef, easily accessible for snorkelling.
Asa Wright Centre
The tour will be based primarily at the Asa Wright Centre on Trinidad (7 nights) and at Cuffie River Nature Retreat (5 nights). On Trinidad there will be regular excursions to the most important wildlife habitats including, among others, sites for Leatherback Turtles, Oilbirds, rainforest, wetland and savannah specialities. In between excursions on Trinidad, there will be time to explore the extensive grounds at Asa Wright enjoying the birds and some of the 620 butterfly species on the island; also to watch many bird species using feeders.
Blue-backed Manakin
A high level of interpretation will ensure that you have the best possible opportunity of seeing and enjoying even the more difficult species.
Itinerary
Day 1 : We depart from London on the morning arriving in Tobago in the late afternoon for dinner and the first of our five nights here.
Days 2 : After breakfast, we spend a day largely bird watching in the lodge grounds, exploring part of the Cuffie River and a feeding station.
Days 3, 4 and 5 : There are three full days to explore the island including visits to Gilpin Trace on the main ridge, Little Tobago Bird sanctuary, a half day opportunity to go snorkelling and a full day tour of the main bird watching locations on the island. These include the Grafton Bird Sanctuary, Hilton Hotel and Bon Accord ponds, Adventure Farm, Plymouth foreshore and the mangrove swamps.
Days 6 to 12 : On Day 6 we transfer by air to Trinidad for a seven night stay at the Asa Wright Nature Centre. In the afternoon there will be an orientation walk in the grounds which you can then explore at your leisure. Afternoon tea is served at 4pm on the balcony and rum punch at sunset.
You have seven full days to explore Trinidad from your base at the Asa Wright Nature Centre during which the following excursions will be undertaken:
Blanchisseuse: A full day trip over the mountains to the north Coast of the island.
Waterloo Shore Line and Caroni Swamp: A full day trip looking for shore birds and waders before visiting the world famous brackish Water Mangrove Swamp.
Aripo Savannah and Arena Forest: A full day visiting the last of Trinadad’s natural savannahs and the lowland Arena Forest.
Nariva Swamp: A full day excursion visiting the Aripo.
Agricultural Experiment Station and the Nariva Swamp.
Sea Turtles: An evening excursion to visit the nesting Leatherback Turtles.
An evening visit to the Oilbird Colony at Dunston Cave
In addition, there will be guided walks and ample opportunity to explore the many trails around Asa Wright Nature Centre.
Days 13 and 14 : On day 13 we transfer to Grand Riviere for two nights and we will visit the Leatherback Turtle colony from the lodge.
Butterfly Orchid
Day 15 : We depart for home on our overnight flight to the UK.
Day 16 : Arrival back in the UK.