The island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, often abbreviated to ‘T & T’, sits at the southernmost end of the Lesser Antilles chain in the Caribbean. The larger island, Trinidad, lies less than seven miles off the coast of mainland South America.
Perhaps the most underappreciated and least explored of the Caribbean islands, for its compact size Trinidad and Tobago is arguably the most impressive Caribbean location in terms of its variety of wildlife and habitats. The nation boasts more than 430 bird species, representing a rainbow of colour, over 100 species of mammal, roughly 70 reptiles and 760 different butterflies.
Compared with many other Caribbean islands, visitors are generally not corralled in all-inclusive resorts or holed-up on private beaches. Hundreds of miles of undeveloped coastline remain, whilst large tracts of tropical rainforest still exist, with towering canopies of mahogany and teak. Leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs throughout the nesting season, manta rays glide over healthy coral reefs and manatees cruise the inshore waters. Inland, howler monkeys call from the forest canopy, and secretive ocelots prowl the jungle labyrinth.
It is the birding within T & T, where it truly excels to the wildlife enthusiast. Trinidad’s national bird, the scarlet ibis can be seen roosting in their thousands at Caroni Swamp on its west coast, a dazzling spectacle not to be missed. On Tobago, seabirds like tropicbirds, frigatebirds, boobies and terns use the small islands just offshore, like Little Tobago, as a nesting site. Three endemic species reside, including the piping-guan and Trinidad motmot, along with numerous hummingbirds, tanagers, trogons, toucans and parrots.
T & T’s unspoiled, rich environment, unpretentious feel, along with its vibrant populace of diverse ethnic groups, dazzling carnivals and festivals, make it a magical Caribbean destination, waiting reluctantly to be discovered by the masses.
