Yerette Home of the Hummingbird

Yerette brings you close to one of nature’s smallest birds, with hummingbirds feeding around a private garden near the top of Trinidad’s hills. You may see up to 14 of the country’s 18 species, often within a single visit.

I like the quiet, personal setting and the chance to spend time with hosts Theo and Gloria Ferguson, who care for the property and explain the birds. Pickup and drop-off are also included, which makes this much easier than arranging transport to a private home on your own.

The main consideration is the pace and price. The visit is advertised as about three hours and costs $96.25 per person, but transport can make the full outing longer. One account describes almost five hours door to door, with a substantial amount of time devoted to a hummingbird talk.

Key points to know before booking

• Up to 14 hummingbird species: Yerette can show you a remarkable range of Trinidad and Tobago’s 18 recorded species.
• A private garden visit: Your booking is for your own group, although the activity allows up to 20 people.
• Theo and Gloria host the visit: Expect personal explanations about hummingbirds, the property, and the local area.
• The meal depends on your start time: An 8:30 a.m. visit includes light breakfast, an 11 a.m. visit includes light lunch, and a 3 p.m. visit includes afternoon tea.
• Transport is included: Pickup and return transportation are part of the experience.
• Book for the birds, not just a quick photo stop: The talk may take up much of the visit, which suits curious nature lovers but not everyone.

Yerette’s garden, where hummingbirds take center stage

Yerette is not a large public zoo or a formal bird park. It is a privately owned garden and home, cared for by conservationists Theo and Gloria Ferguson. The setting gives the visit a more personal feel, though it also means the experience depends heavily on your interest in the hosts’ presentation.

The garden attracts hundreds of hummingbirds to feeders and flowering plants. The birds move quickly, but the feeding area provides repeated chances to watch them at close range. You can expect to see several kinds in one place, rather than spending the morning walking long trails in search of a single bird.

The biggest draw is variety. Trinidad and Tobago has 18 hummingbird species, and Yerette may show you as many as 14 of them. That does not mean every visit produces exactly 14 species, but the range is unusually strong for a compact private garden.

I would bring patience rather than expect a quick pass through the property. Hummingbirds are small, fast, and easy to confuse at first. The value comes from sitting or standing quietly, watching the feeders, and learning to notice differences in size, color, shape, and behavior.

What Theo and Gloria add to the visit

Theo and Gloria Ferguson are central to the experience. They do more than open the garden and point out birds. The visit includes information about hummingbirds, the history of the property, and the local setting.

Several parts of the experience are especially well suited to people who like natural history. The talk can include the strength and behavior of hummingbirds, the cultural meaning of birds, and the way the garden functions as a place for observation and care.

Theo’s presentation may be detailed. That is a major plus if you want to understand what you are seeing instead of simply taking pictures. It can also feel like a lot if you hoped for a short, informal garden stop. One account described the talk as lasting much of the visit and found the questioning style too intense.

That difference matters. I would choose Yerette if you enjoy listening, asking questions, and learning the names and habits of birds. If you mainly want ten minutes of bird photography followed by lunch, the experience may feel slow and expensive.

Gloria is also involved in welcoming visitors and hosting the meal. The relaxed atmosphere praised by many visitors appears to come from the personal nature of the visit, with the owners present rather than a rotating staff of guides.

The three-hour visit and what your start time means

The scheduled experience lasts about three hours at Yerette, not counting all transport time. You can choose among three general start times, and the included food changes with the hour.

• At 8:30 a.m., you receive a light breakfast.
• At 11 a.m., you receive a light lunch.
• At 3 p.m., you receive light afternoon tea.

The food is intended to be light. If you want a full lunch, you can order one and pay the difference. Alcohol is not included.

The 11 a.m. start is the clearest fit if you want the meal to function as lunch, but the morning and afternoon options may suit your wider Trinidad plans better. I would confirm the pickup time and meal details when booking, especially if you have dietary needs or a fixed schedule elsewhere.

The advertised three-hour duration refers to the main activity. Allow extra time for the drive. Pickup and drop-off are included, but the exact length depends on your starting point and the route. One reported outing took about five hours in total, including roughly 1.5 hours of transport each way. That may not apply to every departure, but it is a useful warning not to schedule a tight connection afterward.

Watching fourteen species in one private garden

The garden makes bird watching simple in one important way: the feeders bring the action to you. Instead of covering a large area, you can focus on the birds as they arrive, hover, feed, and disappear.

That setup works well for first-time bird watchers. You do not need advanced field skills to appreciate the sight of several hummingbirds moving through the garden. A camera with a long lens may help, but the experience does not depend on getting a perfect photograph.

You may also find that the birds are easier to watch than to identify. Their colors can change with the light, and their rapid movements make details hard to catch. This is where Theo’s explanations become useful. The talk gives structure to what could otherwise be a blur of wings.

The garden has been described as peaceful and calming. That is part of its appeal. You are not moving from exhibit to exhibit or competing with a large crowd. The private format lets your group remain in one area, return to a good viewing spot, and ask questions as they come up.

The setting is not completely silent. This is a home and garden, not a wilderness reserve. Still, the calm atmosphere and concentration on the birds make the visit feel distinct from a standard city sightseeing tour.

How private is the private tour?

The experience is sold as private, meaning only your group participates. That is a real benefit for families, couples, and small groups with a shared interest in birds. You can ask questions without worrying about a large public audience, and the hosts can adjust their explanations to the people in front of them.

The activity also lists a maximum of 20 people. In practice, the private format is most appealing for a smaller booking, since the garden and talk are personal by nature. If you are arranging a larger group, confirm how your party will be handled.

A minimum of two people is required. A solo booking can be arranged, but it costs an extra 50 percent of the total price. That makes this a better value for two or more people sharing the experience.

The private structure also explains part of the cost. You are paying not only for access to birds, but for transportation, a hosted visit, the use of a private property, and a meal. The price is harder to justify if you only want a brief look at hummingbirds, but more reasonable if you value a guided natural history session with door-to-door transport.

Is $96.25 per person fair?

At $96.25 per person, Yerette is not a bargain attraction. I would compare it with the cost and trouble of arranging private transport, finding a garden with reliable hummingbird activity, and paying for a knowledgeable host once you arrive.

The package includes private transportation, admission, taxes and fees, and a light breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea. That removes several separate expenses and makes the price easier to understand. Pickup and drop-off are especially useful if you are unfamiliar with Trinidad or do not want to navigate to a private home.

The value depends on how much you want from the visit. Nature lovers who would happily spend several hours watching birds and listening to a detailed talk may find the price fair. People looking for a short photo stop may not.

Food is another small value point, but keep expectations realistic. The included meal is light. A full lunch costs extra, so you should not book this expecting a large restaurant-style meal to be part of the base price.

The experience is booked, on average, about 40 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if Yerette is important to your Trinidad plans. Availability may be limited because visits are appointment-based.

Transport, timing, and practical planning

Pickup and drop-off are included, which is one of the easiest reasons to choose this experience. You can focus on the garden instead of figuring out the route yourself. The provider is Sensational Tour, and Nick is named in one account as the pickup driver.

Give yourself plenty of time around the outing. Even though the main visit lasts about three hours, the drive can extend the day considerably. Avoid placing it immediately before a flight, ferry, or fixed reservation.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the visit, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for insufficient bookings may result in a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

For ordinary cancellations, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. That rule matters because the booking may be made well in advance, and plans in Trinidad can change.

Who will enjoy Yerette most?

I would recommend Yerette to:

• Bird watchers who want several hummingbird species in one location
• Nature enthusiasts who enjoy a detailed talk
• Families looking for a calm, focused activity
• Couples who prefer a private visit over a large group tour
• Anyone who values included transportation
• Photographers who want repeated chances near feeders

It may be less suitable for you if you dislike long explanations, want a fast sightseeing stop, or are mainly interested in a full meal. The garden is the star, but the hosted lecture is a large part of the experience.

Children and adults can participate, and most people can take part. Still, the quiet pace may suit older children better than very young ones who need constant movement. The available information does not specify special accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if you have mobility concerns.

What to bring and how to approach the visit

Bring a camera if you enjoy photography, but do not judge the visit only by the number of sharp images you get. Hummingbirds move quickly, and the pleasure is often in watching their patterns and learning to distinguish one species from another.

Wear clothing suited to a garden visit and bring any personal items you need for a three-hour outing. Specific dress requirements are not provided, so the safest plan is practical, comfortable clothing.

I would also arrive ready to listen. The best use of the visit is not simply standing near the feeders. Pay attention to which birds appear, how Theo explains their behavior, and how the private garden supports the viewing experience.

If you have a strong preference for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea, choose your start time with that in mind. If lunch is important, remember that the standard option is light and that a full lunch costs extra.

Should you book Yerette Home of the Hummingbird?

Book it if you want a personal, educational hummingbird visit with transport included. The chance to see up to 14 of Trinidad and Tobago’s 18 species in a private garden is the clear reason to go, and Theo and Gloria make the visit more than a simple feeder stop.

Think twice if you want a short outing or dislike extended talks. The total day may be much longer than the advertised three-hour garden visit, and the $96.25 price asks you to value the presentation, transport, and hosted setting as much as the birds.

For the right visitor, Yerette offers a rare close look at Trinidad’s hummingbirds in a peaceful home garden. For the wrong visitor, it can feel like a costly lecture with birds around the edges. Know which kind of experience you want, and the booking decision becomes much easier.

FAQ

How long does the Yerette visit last?

The visit at Yerette lasts approximately three hours. Pickup and drop-off are included, but the full outing may take longer because of transport time.

How many hummingbird species can I see?

You may see up to 14 of the 18 hummingbird species found in Trinidad and Tobago.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour. The activity lists a maximum of 20 participants.

Who hosts the experience?

Theo and Gloria Ferguson host the visit at their home and garden. They explain the hummingbirds, the property, and the local area.

Is food included?

Yes. The 8:30 a.m. tour includes light breakfast, the 11 a.m. tour includes light lunch, and the 3 p.m. tour includes light afternoon tea. A full lunch costs extra, and alcohol is not included.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation, pickup, and drop-off are included.

What happens if I cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the experience, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.