Enchanting, if dificult drive up a narrow mountain road to a throwback plantation house complete with good parking (follow the signs, steep entrance) polished wood floors, jalousies and Morris chairs and Carib on the cool veranda overlooking the Arima valley, Caroni plains in the distance, hummingbirds flitting around and downstairs birds of all sorts, feeding on fruit. Occasional iguana seen. Satisfying local cuisine for lunch served by friendly, smiling faces. Plan to spend some nights, it's extraordinarily restful.
This is a bird watching pilgrimage its a true adventure just to get here but my first bird here was a toucan. There are basic nature tours for day trippers sack this pay extra grab a local resident guide and feast on endemics. Oil birds are present but you must be resident three days for them to show you and I have to say there are easier ways to see them .Even as a none serious birder you will be blown away by the hummingbirds and beauty of the grounds and forest,Top 10 birding destination no doubt here in 2006 and 2008
Asa Wright nature center is a wonderful birds sanctuary. The guides are knowledgable, accommodating with history, welcoming to the birds kingdom. Even if you're not a bird watcher, it's an amazing place to visit. Just be aware of the horrible, unkept and narrow road leading to the center, pot hole on the pot hole, like a moon holes! Be very careful while driving, on the first attempt, we got a flat tire, wasted the whole day with repair and car change.
Firstly the important thingsMet at the airport by Sharron the driver - yes the road is in a poor repairs state, but it is under repair though that might take some time. The views up and down the road are stunning and any of the drivers will give you a ppotted history of the estateAsa Wright philosophy is more about conservation and education not about maintenance and renovation. All the staff fully support this philosophyThe old colonial house and it's famous balcony are birders paradise - birding or nature trips around Trinidad can be organised using Asa Wright guides or plan a trip down one of the trailsThe trails do need some maintenance but I could manage them on crutches - not easy but I did it even down to see the oil birds, which is a mustThe food was good caribbean food using fresh fruit and veg - we really enjoyed it - good vegetarian foodIt was magical to sit on the balcony and watch the humming birds like sparkling jewels darting between the feeders.We had a large room in the house which was fine. Beds comfortable and if you needed anything you only had to ask. Some of our window screens were ripped and they were replaced the same day we reported it.The acreage around the house is part rainforest and part overgrown plantation, which I think makes it more interesting.We used the natural pool a couple of times which was lovely and refreshingThe guides will help you sport different birds (we aren't birders) they are very knowledgable and very helpful.The night walks are a must you just never know what you will findI would recommend the trip to see the scarlet ibis coming to roostMakesh one of the guides took us on a trip bird watching, which was brilliant The packed lunches can be a bit hit and miss, it's better to tell them what you want.Anne the manger was extremely helpful and kind. She was there early every morning helping to identify the birds.The memories of our trip to Asa Wright will stay with us for some time
There is probably no better place to go bird watching than this renovated plantation house in the mountains of Trinidad. When I was there, about half Brits & half Americans with a smattering of other countries represented. The food is local & well prepared. The guides are superb & really know their stuff, as well as quite friendly. Be prepared for rather obsessed bird watchers & photographers. Peaceful & restful. I would go again.
With the help of their expert and helpful guides, we found more than 180 species of birds in six days around the lodge and on trips to other Trinidad hot spots. Highlights included hummingbirds (especially the rare coquette), toucans, potoos, and thousands of scarlet ibises coming in to roost. Night walks revealed interesting creepy-crawlies but no snakes -- though we were warned of poisonous ones regularly.The cabins are not new but they are clean, the beds are comfy, the showers are hot, and the hospitality is exceptional. Although the road to the place may be narrow, twisty and bumpy, the Trinidad drivers are careful and respectful; we had no driving problems. Food is hearty local fare with emphasis on veggies, fruits and juices.
i visited with friends on several and staff was always friendly and helpful. They also proved knowledgeable on the wild life kept on the reserve
Whenever we have visitors, Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the places we have on the to see list. The guides on the walking tour are usually relatively knowledgeable, and the walking tour is not very strenuous, so children are not tired out by it.
I fell in love with birds in Trinidad and if you love birds, Asa Wright is a must see! It is a lovely old plantation building set in the rainforest with a stunning view of the valley. Have you ever seen a Corn Bird nest hanging from a tree? I could sit on the porch allllll day everyday and just watch the wildlife show. Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Honeycreepers, Manakins and Mot-Mots...the colours are spectacular not to mention agoutis, iguanas, snakes etc etc it's a nature-lovers paradise. I could live at Asa Wright on stew and rum punch for the rest of my days :))))
This nature site is about an hour and a half drive from Port of Spain but is well worth a visit. I would recommend going for more than a day trip as there is much to see! The accommodation was fairly basic but reasonably comfortable. You book on full board basis as it isn't really possible to go elsewhere for meals. The food is good but there are no options. They have a full bar on the verandah( the main building is an old plantation house). Viewing from the verandah during daylight hours is amazing. We lost count of the number of species of birds that we saw! There are excursion options and walking tours along the trails in the grounds but make sure you check before you go as some options are available only for a three night stay: for example seeing the oilbirds.