Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago

June 19-28, 2012

Guided by birding expert
Bill Murphy

Author of
A Birdwatchers' Guide to
Trinidad & Tobago

and charter member of the
T&T Rare Birds Committee

     The first time I visited Trinidad I was hooked instantly. I've led birding tours all over the world, including plenty here in T&T, along the way publishing my Field Guide to the Birds of Trinidad & Tobago, which is in its new second edition. The birding, lodging, and logistics keep getting better. Let me tell you a little about what T&T offers.

     Trinidad and Tobago are lush, stunningly beautiful islands located just 10° above the Equator, adjacent to Venezuela.  Blessed with a perfect climate and a unique blend of Amazonian and West Indian fauna and flora, this verdant two-island republic is universally acclaimed as the best place in the New World to first experience the splendor of tropical birds.

     Even persons with broad experience with Neotropical birds return to T&T because of the ease with which birds and other kinds of wildlife can be studied.  Birds and butterflies resplendent in gaudy hues probe at arm's length at nectar and fruit feeders.  A profusion of brightly colored flowers adds intense color to the tropical vistas.  Every scene is a photo opportunity.  Our accommodations are time tested and birder friendly.  The food is quite sensational.  Enjoying freshly picked fruit and locally grown coffee for breakfast is a luxurious experience.

     Regarding birds, a high percentage of the South American families are represented in T&T.  About 12,000 years of isolation from the mainland has left the species list in T&T at a manageable 457, of which participants on our tours usually observe about 225.  Among the Neotropical groups that we will view are tinamous, jacanas, parrots and macaws, potoos, oilbirds, hummingbirds, trogons, motmots, jacamars, toucans, ovenbirds, woodcreepers, antbirds, antthrushes, bellbirds, manakins, and bananaquits.

     Such diversity in such a small area is unequalled anywhere else in the Caribbean, indeed almost anywhere else in the world.  Avian species rare or difficult to observe elsewhere are observed easily in T&T.  Of particular interest are the White-tailed Sabrewing, Green-throated Mango, and Tufted Coquette hummingbirds; the bizarre nocturnal Oilbirds and Common Potoos; the endemic Trinidad Motmot; and the seabird colonies on Little Tobago Island.

     Even the common species are quite spectacular, with three kinds of hyperactive manakins popping about their leks, tanagers sporting plush burgundy velvet plumage, jacamars gleaming with scintillating colors and acting like hummingbirds on steroids, and luminescent lines of Scarlet Ibis gliding into their emerald mangrove roosts at sunset.

     You surely will be enchanted by the sights and sounds of the birds. You also will thrill to the sight of many of T&T's other wildlife, including mammals (99 species), reptiles (96 species), amphibians (37 species), and butterflies (617 species). You will learn much of the diverse natural history of the islands, such as how to identify trees including cocoa, coffee, flamboyant, mountain immortelle, and samaan, dozens of kinds of wildflowers such as Bird-of-Paradise, Chaconia, Lobster Claw, and Sanchezia, and spectacular butterflies such as the Blue Emperor Morpho.

     In Tobago we will enjoy three nights at the superb Cuffie River Nature Retreat. In Trinidad we will enjoy five nights at the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge. Follow the links below for more information about these wonderful lodges.

     How are these trips different from T&T trips offered by others? First of all, we base our operations in Trinidad, using local Trini contacts and transportation. We customize our tours to take advantage of the increased mobility that comes with using independent transportation and local guides. We visit exciting locations not frequented by other birding groups. On both islands we eat locally on several forays, soaking in the local ambiance. Finally, my longtime knowledge of the accommodations and especially the people on both islands enables us to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

     So there you have it.  From the predawn calls of owls to the twilight chorus of thrushes, each day will be a wonderful mixture of exotic birds, animals, plants, and cuisine.  You will experience Trinidad & Tobago from forested mountains to palm-fringed beaches. Breath-taking scenery, unique sounds, delectable cuisine, and exceptional companionship will all add to the thrill of the trip.

Click for a detailed itinerary Click for information on the Cuffie River Nature Retreat Click for information on the Asa Wright Nature Centre Click here for a Registration Form Read Past Trip Reports (click on T&T Trip Reports)
Registration is limited to 12 participants
COST $2,795 from Port-of-Spain based on double occupancy; single supplement $340. Deposit holds your space(s). TOUR PRICE INCLUDES roundtrip inter-island airfare, group airport transfers during scheduled tour, baggage handling, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, afternoon tea and rum punch at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, expert tour leader and local guides on both islands, all entrance fees, glass-bottomed boat to Little Tobago Island, extensive study material on CD, bird checklist, all gratuities (except to drivers on each island, for which gratuities are at participants' discretion). Tour price does not include air fare from departure city to Port-of-Spain and return. CANCELLATION POLICY Refunds are provided based on recoverable costs. Close to the departure date all separable costs will be returned, but in most cases commitments will have been made that will reduce the amount refundable. Trip insurance is recommended. RESPONSIBILITY The leader and his agents act only in the capacity of Agent upon the legal conditions that, while exercising every possible precaution, they are not responsible for injury, damage, loss, additional expense, accidental delay, or other irregularities caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaging in transportation, accommodations, or other services related to the execution of the tour, or through natural calamities, labor strikes, or other factors beyond its control. We reserve the right to modify or withdraw any tour arrangement when deemed necessary for the best interests of the clients. Tour cost is subject to change. If it increases by more than 10% participants may withdraw without penalty. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk throughout the tour. Purchase of tour insurance is highly recommended concurrent with purchase their international air tickets.