SHIPSTERN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT AREA

What a wonderful project and location! The entrance fee already includes a short tour of the main facilities: the visitor center and the Butterfly Garden, a butterfly breeding farm whose cocoons are sent as far away as Europe. The Botanical Trail then takes you up to a large observation tower offering splendid views of the forest, lagoons and coastal zone. But this little breath of fresh air will soon make you want to venture further into the reserve. The shortest excursion starts in the early morning (5.30 a.m.) and lasts around 4 hours, during which your guide will show you toucans, araçaris, orioles, jays and more. This incursion can lead to another route through a more humid forest, where you'll discover other species.

A similar excursion takes you to the shores of the Xo-Pol lagoon, where you can observe wildlife (terrestrial, aquatic and celestial) from an observation hut (night or day).

And don't miss a trip to the country's largest lagoon, which is used mainly between February and June by migratory species. If you're not satisfied, you can opt for a four-day trek from Shipstern through the Fresh Water Creek Forest Reserve to Honey Camp National Park. There are a few rooms where you can sleep in and enjoy overnight visits.