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Grenada, being rich in natural resources, supports a rich wildlife and ecosystems. The area surrounding the Grand Etang Lake is home to a magnificent variety of eco-systems. It is real adventure to visit these national parks to witness rich and exotic flaura and fauna. |
Grand Etang Lake and National Park
This most popular & scenic area in Grenada is located in the central mountain range, eight miles on the transinsular road from the capital city of St.George’s to Grenville. The Grand Etang Lake fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanoes and is surrounded by lush tropical forest.
The national park surrounding the lake supports several ecological subsystems. The elfin woodlands can be found in the higher reaches on the slopes of the reserve's central mountains. The area is abundant with a large variety of flora & fauna including mahogany and gommier trees, ferns, tropical flowers, and other indigenous plants.
Frogs and lizards, opossums, armadillos, mongooses, and the Mona monkey are a common sight for those visiting here. A bird watchers delight, this park offers you an opportunity to observe tropical birds like the broad-winged hawk that is known here as the gree-gree, Lesser Antillean swift, Antillean euphonia, purple-throated carib, Antillean crested hummingbird and the Lesser Antillean tanager.
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A wide variety of elevations and terrains make this area ideal for hiking and trekking where a series of trails meandering around the area's waterfalls have been marked for enjoying the area. |
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An interpretation centre overlooking the lake has videos, exhibitions and explanations of the medicinal plants in the forest. There is a bar and a shop selling spices and souvenirs. The Park is open 0830-1600, however, it is closed on Saturday. Overnight accommodation is available at Lake House. You can enquire at the forest centre for camping options.
Levera National Park
In the northeast part of the island, 450 acres around the Levera Pond is the National Park established in 1994. It has a bird sanctuary and some sites of historic interest. The National Park also promises Grenada's most scenic and spectacular coastal area.
The area has outstanding coral reefs and sea grass beds that shelter lobsters, sea turtles and other marine inhabitants. The beautiful beach here is lined with coconut palms is quite popular on weekends, and its lagoon is one of the most important wildlife habitats on the island. A wide range of birds can be found on the lagoon including many herons, black-necked stilts, common snipes, and other waterfowl. Levera is also one of the island’s largest mangrove swamps.
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