THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 151

make a day of it, taking a picnic. Profits go towards environmental education, research and
conservation projects.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: PARQUE NACIONAL SOBERANÍA
By bus Gamboa-bound buses from Panama City's Albrook terminal can drop you off at the
park office, several kilometres away from the main trails, and 2.5km further along the road,
at the entrance to the Sendero de la Plantación - also the turn-off for the Canopy Tower
Ecolodge . For the Camino del Oleoducto, alight at the park in Gamboa, walk 1km along the
road parallel to the railway and canal, then follow the signs up a dirt road to the right to the
entrance barrier.
By car There are car parks at the trailheads.
By taxi A taxi from central Panama city will cost around $20-30 depending on where in the
park you want to go.
ACCOMMODATION
ANAM refuge Visitors can lodge at the basic ANAM refuge at the end of the Camino del
Oleod uc to (cold water and basic cooking facilities only) but you will need to carry your own
food. $5 /person
Camping You can arrange to camp along the S en dero de la Plantación or the Camino del
Oleoducto (no facilities but near running water). $5 /person
Canopy Tower Semaphore Hill, Parque Nacional Soberanía 264 5720, canopy-
tower.com . US radar tower converted into a four-storey, twelve-room ecolodge with a genu-
ine commitment to conservation. Simple, functional single rooms with shared bathroom are
offered alongside more comfortable en-suite doubles and suites; all have screens, fans and
hot water. Guests get a free guided walk each day, with excursions catering primarily for
birders. Rates (multi-day packages offer good deals) i nclu de full board, with decent meals
served from the wonderfully panoramic dining lounge. $352
Parque Municipal Summit
On the road to Gamboa • Daily 9am-4pm • $5 •

232 4850, parquesummit.org • Take any Gamboa bus,

getting off at the stop right outside the park gates
The once down-at-heel Parque Municipal Summit (formerly Summit Botanical Gardens
and Zoo) is undergoing an ambitious overhaul. Though some of the animal cages are still de-
pressingly small, Summit merits a visit in order to see fauna that you are unlikely to spot in
the wild. In the early rainy season you may see colonies of oropendolas and caciques, while
hummingbirds and toucans are more common year-round. The gardens' star attractions are
some of Panama's most endangered and elusive residents - a jaguar, a tapir, and a forlorn
harpy eagle that is soon to get a mate.