Barbados Wildlife Reserve Tours and Activities

Jungle glades thrive with tropical wildlife. Monkeys, parrots, caiman and more scamper and flutter through the natural mahogany wood of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, in the north of the island.The Barbados Wildlife Reserve with its distinctive coral-rock buildings is both a serious, important protected habitat and also one of the most fun family days out on the island. There’s a strong desire in Barbados to protect the environment for future generations, and it’s notably clear here. Native and imported animals all live together, thoughtfully cared for in their natural habitats. Pink flamingos stand with their graceful necks curved rainbow parrots gossip in the trees. Proud peacocks with their dazzling green and blue feathers strut through the undergrowth. It’s easy to spot the multi-coloured tropical birds as you walk through the aviary.A visit to the reptile collection is completely safe even for the timid. Tortoises, turtles, iguanas and alligator-like caiman all ramble through the undergrowth. Enormous python and other snakes are safely kept in cages, but nearly, all the other animals are free to roam the forest: this is most definitely a reserve, not a zoo.Native and imported animals happily live side by side in this reserve. Look out for the non-native plated armadillo, and the small rodent that looks like a squirrel without a tail – the agouti.The monkeys at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve are definitely the stars of the show. Yellow and olive green with inquisitive black faces, the Green Monkeys of Barbados were introduced from West Africa over 300 years ago. Now they rove in troops over the forests of Barbados. Whole families of monkeys come for afternoon feeding time at the Wildlife Reserve – children will be delighted by their antics and chattering.The entrance fee also includes free admission to the nearby Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station, and if you don’t see the monkeys in the reserve, you might catch a glimpse out here. Bring a picnic lunch and eat at the reserve or across the road in the Farley Hill National Park. Just watch out for cheeky monkeys!