Jeep Seafari "Birdwatching, Nature and History"

• Duration: 9 hrs aprox
• Departure time: 08.30 hrs
• Tour guide: Yes
• Children are allowed: Yes
• Languages spoken: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian

Jeep Seafari "Birdwatching, Nature and History"

On this tour you will discover the Ciénaga de Zapata National Park by jeep, see the numerous species of both migratory and endemic birds that come to this wonderful Cuban wetland.

The Ciénaga de Zapata is not only the richest place in bird species in Cuba (258 out of 368 reported for the archipelago), but it is also the area of the Caribbean with the highest number of endemic bird species. Of the 30 species of birds endemic to Cuba, 23 inhabit this area; 3 of these, the St. Thomas hen (Cyanolimnas cerverai), the Cienega goat (Torreornis inexpectata inexpectata) and the Ferminia (Ferminia cerverai), are only found in this part of the country. Four species of endemic land beetles, one species of endemic tree ant and a high population of dragonflies have been found. There are 37 species of inland water fish, of which 11 are endemic and 8 are native to the Caribbean.

There are 114 species of marine fish distributed in 9 orders and 33 families with a new report for Cuban waters, Canthigaster jamestyleri.

Mammals are represented in Zapata by 15 species, of which only one is locally endemic: the critically endangered dwarf hutia (Mesocapromys nanus). Some of them present a certain degree of threat, such as the manatee (Trichechus manatus) which is evaluated as vulnerable (VU). Two other mammal species present are the wild hutia (Mysateles prehensilis) and the conga hutia (Capromys pilorides). The region has the largest and healthiest populations of one of the most notorious endemic fishes in Cuba: the manjuarí (Atractosteus tristoechus), a key species in the ecological relationships of the Cuban wetlands where it is present, considered a living fossil, threatened with extinction.

The area has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1999, a Ramsar site since 2000 and an Important Bird Area (IBA).The coastal area between Guasasa and Playa Larga was the scene of the fighting that took place in 1961 during the mercenary invasion of Playa Girón, which adds historical value to the area.

Program:

• Pick up at the hotel.
• Visit to the Hondones Trail.
• Lunch at (Cueva de los peces/Punta Perdiz or Caleta Buena).
• Visit to the museum of Playa Girón.
• Return to the hotel.

TIPS: - Recommended: light clothing, swimsuit, sunglasses, hats or caps, tennis shoes, sandals or comfortable shoes, sunscreen and camera. - A bottle of water is recommended.