The Centre sits in the Arima Valley in the Northern Range mountains, surrounded by tall rainforest. The forest here is so thick and rich that over 170 species of bird have been recorded on the estate alone. On a good morning, you might spot toucans, hummingbirds, trogons, and the rare oilbird — all without leaving the porch.
The oilbird is one of the most unusual birds in the world. It lives in dark caves, flies out at night to find fruit, and uses echolocation — like bats do — to navigate in the dark. Asa Wright has one of the easiest-to-visit oilbird colonies in the world, deep in a cool, mossy cave on the estate.
Butterflies, frogs, and exotic flowers are everywhere in the gardens. Hummingbirds zoom between feeders just a metre from where you sit, moving so fast their wings are a blur. Children are often amazed at how close these tiny birds come — some are smaller than your thumb.
The Nature Centre also teaches visitors why rainforests are important — they are home to millions of species and help keep the air and water clean. School groups come here to learn about the plants and animals of Trinidad's forests in a place that feels magical.