The Caroni Swamp and the Bird Sanctuary is the home to Trinidad and Tobago’s Scarlet Ibis bird. This is the second largest wetland in Trinidad and Tobago and is the home for various fauna, flora, and the Scarlet Ibis, one of the country’s national birds. In the afternoon around 4 pm, a beautiful scene unfolds as the Scarlet Ibis returns in numbers to nest in the mangrove.

The 12,000-acre Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary is the natural nesting home of the Scarlet Ibis bird, one of the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago. The other is the Cocrico, the only game bird native to Tobago and is not found in Trinidad. The major attraction at this mangrove is the opportunity to observe, close to sunset, the ritualistic roosting habits of thousands of these bright red birds. Many of the guides claim the birds travel daily to the Venezuelan mainland to feed, then return to the Swamp at dusk, a distance of about 11 miles. The mangrove trees provide nesting places for the migratory birds, making it perfect for birdwatchers. Flat-bottom boats conduct regular tours through the mangrove.

Here you can explore the wildlife of Trinidad and Tobago with a half-day adventure in Caroni Swamp. Hotel pickups are available at some locations. You then set off on a flat-bottomed boat cruise of the mangrove forest, saline lagoons, inter-tidal mudflats. You get the opportunity to learn about the swamp’s vibrant flora and fauna and you can look out for wildlife like Caimans, silky anteaters, and snakes.