Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2016 — 25th Anniversary Edition

UWI Zoology Museum
Located at the Natural Sciences building
at the University of the West Indies (UWI),
St Augustine, this is the largest and most
significant collection of zoological specimens
in Trinidad & Tobago. Free admission;
tours available 8am–4pm, Monday–Friday.
sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/zoology.asp
Valencia Eco-Resort
This sprawling retreat covers ten acres
of land in Valencia and is a wonderful family
escape in the east. Attractions include a
butterfly and bird sanctuary, 95 varieties of
trees, a river, a mini-zoo, greenhouses, a tilapia
pond, outdoor cooking sheds, plus a
basketball court, football field, cricket pitch,
and a pool. The resort uses solar water
heating, composting and 100% recycling.
valenciaecoresort.com
Central Trinidad
Dawn breaks over the Caroni Swamp. Photo by Chris Anderson
The Winston Nanan Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary
This is one of Trinidad’s most popular eco attractions — home and roosting ground of
the stunning scarlet ibis, Trinidad’s national bird, plus 100 other species of birds, anteaters,
raccoons, caimans, snakes and opossums. It was recognised in the 1996 Ramsar Convention
as a wetland of international importance, placing a legal obligation on the government
to ensure the area is protected and maintained.
The roughly 60sq km sanctuary, just off the Solomon Hochoy Highway, comprises tidal
lagoons, marshland and mangrove forest bordering the Gulf of Paria, between the mouth of
the Caroni and Madame Espagnole rivers. You can buy tickets for boat tours on site (many
boat tours depart at 4pm to catch flocks of ibis coming home to roost, though some can be
booked all day), or arrange with a reputable tour company. Kayak tours are also available.
discovertnt.com
65