I visited the Caroni Swamp this June and the experience was both a relaxing and enlightening experience. The tour was conducted by an giude organisation called Nanans, in flat bottom boats, each with a holding capacity of approximately 35 to 40.
I was fortunate to have the oportunity to journey along a few of the many channels and lagoons located just off the Uriah Butler. It was extremely suprising to see how mch swampland exist beyond the mangrove trees, you see just before crossing the Caroni River. Previously, I was under the delusion that just beyond the trees was the sea. Well, now I know.
During the tour, I was awestruck upon realising that this swamp was indeed an intricate ecosystem, where each specie of either flora or fauna contributed to the livelihood of another. Of course I learnt all this in my past geography classes but after witnessing this environment for myself, my knowledge became more relevent.
Among the fauna, I was privileged to observe was the Cascabel or Tree Boa, red crabs, a large caiman, the Little Blue Heron, the Great White Egret, the Cormorant and last but not least, the regal Scarlet Ibis. I was not able to see amy fish, however the guide, Solo, informed the group that the water was rich in mullet, cascadura, grouper and black tilapia. With regard to the flora, there was mangrove, mangrove and more mangrove!!! Red Mangrove, White Mangrove and Black Mangrove; how patriotic. Actually, these trees get their names from the hue of their wood.
Unfortunately, since it is now nesting season, the tour group was not blessed with the spectacular sight of a stand (when a large flock of Scarlet Ibis birds alight on a tree and the entire tree becomes scarlet)