Wildlife and birding in Bonaire
Bonaire is a flat coral island with a northern national park that is one of the best places on the island for birding. Washington Slagbaai covers most of the north and holds about 210 bird species, including flamingos and the endemic Lora parrot. Birders, photographers and anyone who wants to see the island's wildlife will find a lot here, and a visit can be built around the park or a guided tour.
Places to go
Washington Slagbaai National Park
Washington Slagbaai National Park is a wild reserve covering most of Bonaire's north. Visitors drive rough dirt roads past salt pans, blowholes and bird spots, with flamingos and the endemic Lora parrot among the wildlife.
Horse Ranch Bonaire
Horse Ranch Bonaire is a horse ranch on Bonaire where visitors ride out on trails, sometimes along the beach. It also has a petting zoo with rescued animals.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Small Group Mangrove Wildlife Experience with Flamingo Viewing
What to expect
Most of the wildlife on Bonaire sits in Washington Slagbaai, a large nature park that covers most of the north of the island. The park's roads are rough, about 34 km in total, so you need an off-road vehicle or a mountain bike to get around. Along the way you can spot flamingos, parakeets, iguanas and about 210 bird species, including the endemic Lora parrot. The park also has a few hikes, and the Oliba Trail passes native trees that are coming back in areas where goats no longer graze.
If you prefer not to drive the park yourself, a guided tour in the mangroves offers a shorter option. The small group tour runs about 1.5 hours and focuses on mangrove wildlife and flamingo viewing. In town, the garden at Cadushy Distillery has old Calbas trees where lora parrots and sometimes hummingbirds can be seen. A visit to the petting zoo at Horse Ranch Bonaire lets you meet rescued animals.
Where to go
- Washington Slagbaai National Park. About 210 bird species, flamingos, endemic Lora parrots, parakeets and iguanas, plus sea turtle nesting beaches. By off-road vehicle, mountain bike or tour; the park covers most of the north of the island. A trip that goes here: Small Group Mount Brandaris and Washington Park Hike, 5 Hours, $249 a person
- Mangrove forests. A small group tour with mangrove wildlife and flamingo viewing, about 1.5 hours. By shore excursion. A trip that goes here: Small Group Mangrove Wildlife Experience with Flamingo Viewing, 1 Hour 30 Minutes, $115 a person
- Klein Bonaire. An uninhabited island with breeding seabirds and bird species that include bare-eyed pigeons and least terns; loggerhead turtles nest here in season. About 800 meters from the shore of Bonaire at the nearest point, by water taxi or dive boat. A trip that goes here: Small Group Mangrove Wildlife Experience with Flamingo Viewing, 1 Hour 30 Minutes, $115 a person
- Cadushy Distillery garden. Old Calbas trees where lora parrots and sometimes hummingbirds can be seen.
- Horse Ranch Bonaire. A petting zoo where visitors meet rescued animals. By Ranch visit. A trip that goes here: Small Group Mangrove Wildlife Experience with Flamingo Viewing, 1 Hour 30 Minutes, $115 a person
Getting there
The park lies in the north of the island and is reached by off-road vehicle or mountain bike, or on a booked tour. Rental cars are available at the airport and at selected hotels, and driving around the whole island takes a couple of hours. The mangrove tour and ranch visits are arranged as booked tours.
When to go
The park is hot and dry, so go early in the day. It is closed on national and local holidays and may close fully or partly after heavy rainfall, which makes the roads unsafe.
Good to know
- Bring the nature fee ticket and photo ID to the park, since the fee covers both land and marine parks.
- Carry plenty of water, wear sun protection and avoid going alone.
- Rental cars are limited at peak times, so reserve in advance if you plan to drive yourself.
- Bring the ticket and photo ID to the park, and do not leave valuables in the car.
Questions
How many bird species can you see in Washington Slagbaai National Park?
The park has about 210 bird species, including flamingos and the endemic Lora parrot. It is one of the best birding sites on the island, and the park is a large area that covers most of the north of Bonaire.
Do I need a 4x4 to visit Washington Slagbaai?
You need an off-road vehicle or a mountain bike, because the roughly 34 km of park roads are rough dirt. A guided tour is another option if you do not want to drive the roads yourself.
Can I see flamingos on Bonaire without going into the national park?
Yes. A small group mangrove tour lasting about 1.5 hours includes flamingo viewing, and the park itself also has flamingos.
