Includes: Transport, professional guides, boat operators, water, coconut water, lunch, and all reserve entrance fees.

Not included: Gratuities and snacks.

What to bring: Comfortable clothing, medication, reusable water bottle, natural/non-toxic sunscreen, natural/non-toxic insect repellent, hat, ziploc bags to keep items dry, small umbrella or raincoat, and any other necessary items.

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Overview

Experience one of Trinidad’s most important natural areas on this tide-dependent journey through Nariva Swamp, the island’s largest freshwater wetland. This diverse landscape of marshes, mangroves, lagoons, and forested islands supports an exceptional variety of birdlife and wildlife.

Travel by small flat-bottomed boats through narrow mangrove channels, where kingfishers, herons, and other wetland species are often seen at close range. Continue into open marshlands before landing at Bush Bush Island for a guided forest walk. The day concludes with a scenic drive along “Coconut Alley” and into the Aripo Savannah. The area surrounding the Aripo Agriculture Livestock Station consists of open pastures, wetlands, and savannah landscapes, which support a wide variety of bird species. 

Wildlife encounters may also include Trinidad’s two native primates—the Red Howler Monkey and White-fronted Capuchin—making this one of the most varied and memorable field experiences available.

Experience Highlights

• Boat journey through mangrove channels in Nariva Swamp
• Guided forest walk on Bush Bush Island
• Opportunities to see both wetland and forest species
• Chance to observe Red Howler and White-fronted Capuchin monkeys
• Scenic drive along Coconut Alley to the Atlantic coast
• Birding in the open landscapes of Aripo Savannah

Birding Highlights

Possible species include: White-tailed Goldenthroat, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Savannah Hawk, Gray-lined Hawk, Gray-headed Kite, Yellow-headed Caracara, Wattled Jacana, Southern Lapwing, Pinnated Bittern, Green Kingfisher, Fork-tailed Palm Swift, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Red-bellied Macaw, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Grassland Yellow Finch, Black-tailed Tityra, Yellow Oriole, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, Cocoi Heron, Striated Heron, Silvered Antbird, Lineated Woodpecker, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Crested Oropendola, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Barred Antshrike.

Logistics

Estimated departure at 5:30 AM, and return at 5:00 PM. Departs from and returns to conference hotels in Port of Spain.

This trip is tide-dependent, and timing may vary slightly to ensure the best access to boat channels and wildlife viewing areas. Offered on pre-, mid-, and post-conference dates.