Travel and Tourism

Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge

This Conservation and Study area was opened in 1967 and is the first Centre in the Caribbean to preserve plant and animal life. It was named after a young Icelandic woman who came here as a bride and fell in love with the land.
Asa Wright Nature Centre

The Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) covers hundreds of acres of lush vegetation from deep green forests to cascading waterfalls. There are scores of species of birds and insects including the only easily accessible colony of oil birds - the only night-flying, fruit-eating, echo-locating birds in the world. Experienced tour guides, accommodation and meals are provided.

750-acre Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the most important conservation areas and wildlife sanctuaries in the Caribbean. The preserve is nestled in a rain forest and includes 108 mammals, 400 birds 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians and 617 butterflies. Your naturalist guide will interpret the rich variety of plant and animal life protected within the center's grounds.

Located in the Arima valley, this former estate house is now a lodge where visitors can get up close and personal to an amazing variety of bird life, including Squirrel Cuckoos, Toucans, and Tufted Coquettes. Asa Wright also houses a restaurant catering local-style cuisine in a family-type setting.

A special attraction of Spring Hill Estate, the former name of what is now the Asa Wright Nature Centre, is a breeding colony of the nocturnal Oilbird, or Guacharo(Steatornis caripensis). Located in Dunston Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto on the property, this is the only easily accessible colony known of this remarkable species. The World Wildlife Fund made a substantial contribution toward the establishment of the Centre in order to protect the colony.

Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge.

To see Squirrel Cuckoos, Toucans, and all manner of other species fly within sight of the front gallery, to see Tufted Coquettes and half a dozen other species of hummingbirds feeding on the vervain from the back gallery, is but a start of what the birder will find at the Centre. Botanists and entomologists and other naturalists will find the area equally rich.

Located at 1,200 feet in the mountains of the Northern Range, seven miles north of the town of Arima, the Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) is a world-class natural history destination for students of tropical ecology and is of particular interest to birdwatchers. You can also examine the fascinating world of leaf-cutter and army ants and take photographs of orchids and gorgeous butterflies.

The climate at the Asa Wright Nature Centre is tropical and humid. However its mid-montane location tempers the heat to a very pleasant 65-86 degrees F. (18-30 C.) The long dry season, when the most striking vegetation is in bloom lasts from January until May. A shorter dry season occurs again in October. The balance of the year constitutes the rainy season. Rains, while they can be frequently torrential, are usually very intermittent and good field observations can be made at the Centre throughout the year.

Guided walk will explore the Discovery Trail and conclude on the verandah with a cool tropical drink amidst a surprising variety of orchids. Colourful birds like the brilliant green shining Honeycreepers and the Jacob Hummingbirds visit the nearby feeders just below the verandah. This is one of the best places for birding in the tropics.

The original estate house of the former coffee-cocoa-citrus plantation has been beautifully remodeled over the years as a comfortable headquarters where guests gather to watch the incredible birdlife from the verandah. Your observation time includes a high tea in the afternoon and ends with a traditional complimentary rum punch cocktail as the sun sets over the Arima Valley.

AWNC - tropical ecosystems and is of particular interest to birdwatchers.

There is a free-running rainforest stream where guests can relax and escape from the tropical heat. Guests can also retreat to the cottages with private verandahs to observe these beautiful birds.

Visit this spectacular natural heritage – the rainforest of Trinidad’s Northern Range! Enjoy trails, relax on “Birder’s Verandah,” and have an enjoyable lunch from award-winning restaurant! The Centre is open daily from 9am until 5pm for your enjoyment and education. Guided walks with professional naturalist guides are conducted daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm. The walk is included in your attendance fee.

  • Address and Contact:

    The Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC)
    20 Farfan Street,
    Spring Hill Estate, PO Box 4710,
    Arima, Trinidad, West Indies

    • For further information please call at (868) 667-4655, 667-5162 or email at dayv...@asawright.org To make reservation for lunch please call at 667-5162.
    • For Conferences, Retreats, Weddings, Special Events and Other Private Events, call at 667-5162 or email at even...@gmail.com
    • Asa Wright Nature Centre Lodge Reservations:
    • For Residents of Trinidad & Tobago, contact the Centre’s office at 667-5162 or 667-4655/4961 or by email at loca...@asawright.org
    • Call Toll-Free at 800-426-7781 in the U.S. and Canada
    • From Other Countries call at 305-292-0708 or Fax 305-292-0706 Or contact us by email at Caligo Ventures at i...@caligo.com . Contact Trinidad & Tobago office at 868-667-5162 or by email intl...@asawright.org
    • To visit the Asa Wright Nature Centre And Lodge on an expertly guided group tour and enjoy the full beauty of trinidad and tobago please contact exclusive travel representative: CALIGO VENTURES and learn about the exciting and very popular programs that you can travel on to visit this remarkable place all year round! CALIGO VENTURES Website: http://www.caligo.com/trinidad/index.html

    The Asa Wright Nature Centre (AWNC) official website: http://birdingtrinidad.net/wordpress/

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