Day 2

Jaragua National Park

When we start today will be dictated by whatever time we get back to the accommodation last night after searching for the solenodons. When you decide to start the day we will travel to the coast and the sharp and jagged limestone and salt karst formations in search for reptiles and birds. This harsh landscape has kept most of the area wild and it is the best place to see some of the larger animals in the island. The two species of iguana that inhabit Hispaniola, the large and more common rhinoceros iguana and the poorly understood and very endangered Ricord’s iguana. These would be our two targets this afternoon. Reptiles are best looked for in the afternoon as the sun is at its height and the reptiles are sunning themselves and very active. As well as looking for the many smaller lizards such as ameivas and curlytails around the limestone rocks we hope to see some huge rhinoceros iguanas. Along the coastline we can also see a wealth of birdlife, from frigate birds and tropic birds flying over the sea to small todys and hummingbirds in the mangroves; we will also head inland a little way to larger cliffs and the preferred habitat of the endemic and critically endangered Ricord’s iguana. This reptile is in severe decline and now confined to one small area of cliff, this land is now protected to an extent however the farmland abuts the protected land and habitat encroachment is rampant here. But luckily Dr. Brocca has found local guides and works with iguana researchers with a genuine knowledge and passion for protecting these animals. We will continue our exploration around the coastline here for a little longer, visiting sites like Bahia de Aguilas. These coastal lagoons are fantastic places for birds and in the right season turtles, manatees and even dolphins enter the bay (although these are very hard to spot at this time of year).

After visiting here we would head back to town and have some dinner and wait for it to get dark enough for the hutias to be active. Tonight we could go back to search for the solenodon again (if we didn’t find on last night or the sighting wasn’t as good as you may have hoped for), but otherwise we spend tonight searching for hutias. They need the forests to live in and so we headed to a different area in Jaragua National Park and with the same guides we used for the solenodons we would wait until they called having located one in the trees. They are harder to find than the solenodons as they do not make any noise and can remain in the thick foliage of the trees. But our guides are well skilled and have a great track record in finding them. Once again it could be a long night and afterwards we will return to the accommodation.

Day 3

Lagoon Oviedo & Barohuco National Park

Like yesterday the exact time of our start this morning will be dictated by what time we get in from looking for solenodons or hutias last night. But our first stop in the morning will be to Oviedo Lagoon. This is a good birding location and we will be on the lookout for species such as Verbane hummingbird (the second smallest bird in the world), mockingbirds, terns, frigate birds, brown pelicans, red-billed tropicbirds and many other species. In the afternoon we will drive high into the central Cordillera and into the heavily forested Barohuco National Park. This park is a good habitat for solenodons and many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. But one of the most unusual aspects of this forest is the strange mixture of vegetation. The conifers are interspersed with palms, mosses, ferns and orchids. The forest is incredibly diverse and one of the most important areas in the whole of the Caribbean and is well protected now. The park is very hilly with a good selection of pathways, depending on your interests, you can search out some of the endemic birds here or just hike around the various view points and take in the spectacular scenery. This evening will also be left open, depending on what we have seen on the previous nights and whether you wish to have another night looking for solenodons or hutias. If we have satisfied your thirst for these species then we can have a night at the hotel and catch up on sleep.

Day 4

Santo Domingo

Today is our last full day in the Dominican Republic and we will depart from Pedernales and head back along the coast to the capital Santo Domingo. Along the way back we would once again visit Lagoon Oviedo and if you wish there is an optional excursion by boat (USD $120 per person) to visit several small limestone islands that are home to dozens of rhinoceros iguanas. After visiting these islands and spending some time with the very friendly iguanas, we will visit some very old petroglyphs (~1,000 years old) on another island nearer the coast.

After leaving Lagoon Oviedo we would carry on and along the way visiting some bat caves along the coast (if you are interested), these caves are the roosting site of several species of bat and we would enter to see which species are here today. Our journey would continue and on arrival at the hotel in Santo Domingo we would check into the hotel and the rest of the evening is free for you to relax.

Day 5

Home

Today you will be taken to the airport in in time for your flight home.

Please note that the itinerary stated above is correct as our planned intentions for the tour. However adverse weather conditions and other local considerations can necessitate some modifications of the itinerary during the course of the tour; any changes will be made to make the best of the time and weather conditions available to us.

This tour is available on different date (subject to availability) please contact us for more details about running this tour on a date which suits you more.