In big ecotourism destinations – Kenya, Guyana – visitors travel miles over a few days to catch a glimpse of their iconic species. TT, says Faraaz Abdool, offers different micro-climates and eco-systems short distances from each other. Plus, one of the highest densities of bird species in the world.
For a country that has been heavily dependent on the oil and gas industry, we can be forgiven for overlooking the ecotourism potential of these two tiny islands at the southern end of the Caribbean. From the perspective of the nature-based visitor though, here’s what brings TT to the top of the list.
[caption id="attachment_1047717" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A pair of Red-necked Parrots in the protected Morne Diablotin National Park in Dominica. - Faraaz Abdool[/caption]
When considering ecotourism – whether in the same country or another – mostly for the purpose of enjoying wildlife in their natural habitat, one tends to consider the most charismatic megafauna. Lions for their regal allure, elephants for their sheer size and complex social lives, and giraffes for their unbelievably long necks; these are the animals we first see as babies, animal illustrations adorning cribs and bibs, welcoming us into the world. To experience these animals in the wild involves embarking on a safari to various well-established and well-trodden ecotourism networks within the African continent. However wild and adventurous, almost unreachable for most of us, most African countries – we are reminded – have been catering to eco-visitors for decades and are well equipped to ensure that almost all creature comforts are available.
Wildlife in big countries
As an example, within Samburu territory in Kenya, the utter remoteness of the lodge meant that there was no wi-fi or telephone connectivity. We all received whistles on our room keys to be used in case of emergency. However, a combination of solar power and a small generator meant that warm showers and sleep under a ceiling fan were possible. At night, the stars lit the pathways and elephants wandered silently through the camp. By sunrise, though, we would have to get in our safari van and drive for an hour in the featureless scrub to find a leopard having breakfast with her cub, under a tree where a pair of pygmy falcons kept a lookout for their preferred prey.
[caption id="attachment_1047694" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Leopards are notoriously difficult to locate on your own, seeing one requires a network of dedicated people constantly observing and tracking the animals. Ecotourism can provide employment to much more than hospitality staff. - Faraaz Abdool[/caption]
Closer to home, in neighbouring Guyana, the situation is incredibly similar. Northern South America is famous for its savanna habitat, and one can easily mistake one continent for another. The parallels run very deep, especially in the ecotourism experience. Both places are home to spotted cats and legitimate giants. Guyana is known as the “land of giants”, concealing giant river otters, giant anteat
