Comprising around 9,780 acres (3,958 hectares) of inland rainforest, the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve acts as the lungs of the island. Along with all sorts of tropical plants, the reserve also provides a home to 24 types of (non-poisonous) snakes, 16 types of lizards, and over 200 species of birds.
While the Main Ridge Forest Reserve is a fantastic spot for hiking, birds are a big draw for many visitors. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a white-tailed sabrewing, a species of hummingbird endemic to the island. There are several marked trails for those who want to explore the reserve independently. To increase your chances of spotting wildlife, you can also book a birdwatching tour led by a local guide who knows the reserve well.
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The Main Ridge Forest Reserve is a must-visit for birdwatchers, and you can find all sorts of colorful species in the park.
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It’s wise to wear mosquito repellant, even during the dry season.
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The reserve’s hiking trails are not suitable for travelers in wheelchairs or for those with compromised mobility.
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Make sure to bring plenty of water as it’s not easily available in the park.
It takes around 40 minutes to drive from Speyside to the reserve’s visitor center. From Charlotteville, it’s a 50-minute drive, and from Scarborough, you can get there in just under an hour. If you want to visit the forest, you’ll either need to rent a car or come as part of a guided tour.
The best time to visit the reserve is during the dry season, which usually runs from about January until May; just be aware that rain showers happen even during the dry months. While Tobago doesn’t usually get hurricanes, tropical storms are common during the wet season. July–August and October–November get a particularly substantial amount of rainfall.
Located just outside the Main Ridge Forest Reserve’s northern boundaries, this small nature park is a great place to see hummingbirds up close. You can observe these colorful creatures as they stop by the reserve to feed on sugar water, and the owner is usually on hand to share her wealth of knowledge about hummingbirds with visitors.
