Before I start, I want you to bear a couple of things in mind. Firstly, this is not a wildlife park on the scale of some of the long-established British or American ones. This park has been set up through the determination and passion of Roy Corbin, with no government funding. Secondly, it is still developing and evolving. That said, I am blown-away by what has been achieved so far.

Roy's enthusiasm and passion for the wildlife of Tobago is apparent from the moment you meet him. He is wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable, keen to talk about the animals and answer any questions you have, and clearly cares a great deal about keeping the wildlife in suitable environments. Roy escorts you around the animal enclosures, giving you plenty of opportunity to see each of them, and even interact with some. The tour takes 1-2 hours, and we didn't feel rushed at any point, Roy was very good at giving us plenty of time at each enclosure.

The park not only rescues animals (often kept as pets), but are instigating breeding programmes for the species that are endangered too. They host local schoolchildren too, in order to educate the next generation of children about the local wildlife and the importance of protecting it. Many species have been hunted virtually to extinction, so Roy seeks to educate local farmers and other islanders too, both on the misinformation out there about some of the animals, as well as helping them to understand how the wildlife benefits the island. He really has taken on a gargantuan task, but his love of animals means he never appears to be daunted by this.

Our time at the wildlife park flew by, even in the 30C+ heat, and we felt as though we knew Tobago so much better by the end. I would recommend taking some drinks with you to sip as you walk around. I would also suggest that the park is not really suitable for people with mobility issues. The paths are mostly gravel, and some are a little steep, but manageable for most people (and I'm not the fittest!!).

When you arrive, you will see that there is a sign outside Roy's house telling you to stop there and call a number to summon him. THIS IS FOR GOOD REASON. The rest of the road down to the park is not driveable without a 4X4, so Roy takes you the final half-mile or so.

Tours of the park are booked in advance, by phone, and we had no trouble getting hold of Roy via the number on his website or of securing our chosen day. We visited on a Sunday morning.

I highly recommend a visit to Roy's wildlife park, especially if you love the island, as it gives you an idea of what animals you would have encountered there in the past. Roy is full-to-bursting with stories, anecdotes and facts about Tobago and its wildlife, and he needs all the help he can get in order to raise money and the profile of the park. If you love animals, it's a must-visit!! Thank you for a lovely day, Roy, and we hope to return in the future :)