A Belize Wildlife Adventure For Active Families
Tour Introduction
Perfect for families with children in the older age range (say, 7 to 11 and beyond), this exciting natural history adventure provides plenty of enjoyable activities in the pine-clad Maya mountains and the lush lowland rainforests of the interior before transporting you out to a Caribbean island at the outer edge of the Belize Barrier Reef for snorkelling, diving, boating and beachcombing.
Staying within three local wildlife reserves (two terrestrial and one marine), you will be also supporting local conservation efforts and ensuring that Belize’s amazing wildlife is safeguarded for future generations too. Along the way you will experience a vibrant mix of ancient and current cultures, great wildlife, highland scenery, lush jungle and coral islands in a small, friendly English-speaking Caribbean country: an exhilarating mix to delight all members of your family.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival at Belize international airport and transfer by road along the Western Highway to Jade Jungle Resort. Rest of the day at leisure. The small, friendly, family-run lodge surrounds a small Maya plaza with trails leading to the creek and lowland rainforest bordering the Tapir Mountain Reserve. It is also in close proximity to a wealth of ancient Maya archaeological sites - some of which have only recently been opened to the public and which few tourists have the chance to see.
Staying at Jade Jungle Resort. Includes All Meals.
Perhaps opt for the scheduled activity for that day (Ask us for more details on the activity schedule at Jade Jungle Resort). Spend some time wandering the network of trails, or you may wish to spend the day completely at your leisure and relax in the lodge's grounds.
Staying at Jade Jungle Resort. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure or choose to partake in the scheduled activity of the day.
Staying at Jade Jungle Resort. Includes All Meals.
Pick up from the lodge and transfer by road to Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge in the Maya Mountains. Accommodation is in two Estate Rooms.
Staying at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure to explore the 7200 acre private reserve with over 90 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails as well as many secluded pools and waterfalls, such as 1000 foot Falls and Butterfly falls surrounded by a mixture of pine forest and tropical broadleaf jungle.
Staying at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available. There is much wildlife inhabiting the property, including coatimundi, grey fox and peccary. Puma and jaguar are also occasionally spotted along the roads and trails. The reserve is also home to 200 species of birds including the beautiful and endangered orange-breasted falcon, the stygian owl and king vultures which nest on the craggy cliffs and soar below a number of the viewpoints.
Staying at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Pick up from the lodge and travel south along the Hummingbird Highway to the town of Dangriga. Travel by boat to idyllic South Water Caye located right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef (a World Heritage Site). The 15-acre island is known as perhaps the most beautiful of all the reef cayes and is within a designated marine reserve. Around the island, pelicans dive constantly for fish, and frigatebirds soar overhead. Hermit crabs scurry along the beach, which is of coral and pure white, dotted with coconut palms. Accommodation is in the two bedroom Herons Hideaway Cottage.
Staying at Pelicans Pouch. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available. There is excellent snorkelling right off the beach, and diving can be arranged from a facility on the island: the reef drops off to 2000ft just thirty yards offshore allowing fabulous wall dives.
Staying at Pelicans Pouch. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Perhaps take an optional boat tour to Man O War Caye to see the impressive frigate bird and booby rookery.
Staying at Pelicans Pouch. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available.
Staying at Pelicans Pouch. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available.
Staying at Pelicans Pouch. Includes All Meals.
Pick up from the lodge and transfer by boat to Dangriga. Catch domestic flight to Belize International Airport.
Staying at On plane. Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Jade Jungle Resort
Overview
Having recently been modernised and revamped under new ownership, Jade Jungle Resort was previously known as Pook’s Hill Lodge, a long-standing jungle lodge hugely popular with its guests. Adjacent to Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, the accommodation retains its original low-key ambience and enjoys a spectacular position on a ridge above Roaring Creek river. The lodge is built in an ancient Maya plaza which has been lovingly restored.
The lodge’s own 300 acre private rainforest reserve is listed with the Belize Association of Private Protected Areas and is a natural extension of the neighbouring 6,700 acre Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, expanding an important wildlife corridor connecting the reserves in the south of Belize.
There are private trails leading to the river where you can enjoy river tubing, amongst other activities. The reserve is home to over 300 species of bird as well as many of Belize’s mammals with tapirs and jaguars being occasional visitors.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Eleven thatched cottages including two Boardwalk cabanas (No.10 & 11) accessed by walkway below the main lodge, which are the largest and most private of the rooms. The others are standard cabanas dotted around the grounds. Restaurant, bar/lounge area with small library; on-site naturalist birding guide; private reserve with trails; hot water
Local Wildlife
Mainly birds, including rare hummingbirds which feed on the flowering trees in the gardens. Excellent birding can be had in the resort grounds during the early mornings.
Optional Activities
Canoeing; butterfly farm; Tikal (Guatemala) excursion; Xunantunich Maya ruins; zip-lining; horse riding; excursion to nearby ATM cave – a real adventure with three hours of swimming, wading and walking through a remarkable cave system revealing many weird stalactites and, at the end, a spooky Maya ceremonial chamber with pottery shards and petrified skeletons.
Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge
Overview
Located in the remote Maya Mountains of western Belize, Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge protects a 7200-acre private forest reserve offering exclusive access to over 90 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through a mixture of pine forest and tropical broadleaf jungle to secluded pools and waterfalls.
The reserve forms part of the vast 100,000 acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including over 200 species of bird (including many rarities) plus a host of mammals and other wildlife.
There are 12 cottages set within beautiful gardens, each with mahogany furnishings, ceiling fans, screened windows, en-suite bathrooms with hot water, and a brick fireplace for cool evenings. In the main building are lounge, bar and swimming pool with Jacuzzi. Hummingbird feeders attract many species to the gardens, where plenty of other birds can also be seen.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
90 miles of private forest reserve trails, walked only by the lodge guests; bar; restaurant; yoga platform; lookout decks; lounge area; pleasant pool area.
There are Garden and Estate cottages, as well as Valley View Villas. There is even the option of staying up in the Fire Tower for a novel, yet luxury, experience.
Local Wildlife
The lodge is very proud of its “Big Five” resident birds: king vulture, stygian owl, black and white eagle hawk, orange-breasted falcon and solitary eagle. All can be seen on the property, some more easily than others. Other wildlife includes peccary, coati, tapir, grey fox, white tailed deer, ocelot, margay, puma and jaguar – the cats have been seen, but rarely. Note: the pine forest has been badly affected by the parasitic bark beetle and numerous forest fires and is in the process of regeneration. The lower altitude broad leaf jungle, however, is in perfect condition, offering a distinct contrast.
Optional Activities
Birdwatching, hiking, swimming, night walks, horse riding, river canoe trips, cave visits, Maya ruin sites, yoga (at three platforms in the forest).
Pelican Beach Resort
Overview
One of only a handful of islands located on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef (a World Heritage Site), the 15-acre South Water Caye is perhaps the most beautiful of all the inhabited reef cayes. It forms part of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Belize’s largest marine reserve covering an area of over 100,000 acres and considered to be one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the country.
Situated on the lovely southern end of the caye on a coral sand beach adorned with coconut palms, the hotel consists of a main wooden period building, Pelican’s Pouch (once a Convent for the Sisters of Mercy) with five rooms on top and a restaurant below plus five separate wooden cottages comprising eight units.
The accommodation is fairly simple and has been designed to have the lightest environmental footprint including solar power, captured rainwater and state of the art composting toilets.
There is excellent snorkelling right off the beach and diving can be arranged at a resort on the island or from the mainland: the reef drops off to 2000ft just thirty yards offshore allowing fabulous wall dives. The resort is owned by a prominent local family, the Bowmans, who once owned the entire island and others nearby; the food is excellent and the Belizean staff are very friendly and quietly efficient.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Five separate cabanas comprising eight units: Osprey’s Nest (two rooms, each with double and single beds, shared balcony) shared private dock, sea views; Heron’s Hideaway (for honeymooners, with dbl bed and sea views); Sandpiper Suites (duplex - one dbl, one dbl plus sgl, beach view); Egret’s Escape (first floor unit, dbl bed); Kingfisher Cottage (first floor unit with dbl bed, lagoon and beach views). All have composting loos and hot water showers. The main building, Pelican’s Pouch, has five large first-floor rooms, en suite toilet and basin, shared hot showers on ground floor, east facing verandah with hammocks, restaurant, bar, dining room with large deck. On the property are a boat dock, hammocks, canoes and Lazer sailboats for the use of guests.
Local Wildlife
Snorkelling for eagle rays, stingrays, nurse sharks, tarpon, corals, reef fish; Man ’O’ War Cay for large numbers of roosting magnificent frigatebirds and yellow-footed boobies. Around the island, pelicans dive constantly for fish, frigatebirds soar overhead and hermit crabs scurry along the beach, pure white and fringed by coconut palms. The island’s resident ospreys can be observed hunting for fish and tending their nest above the radio mast.
Optional Activities
Swimming, snorkelling (gear for hire), diving (no dive shop – tanks and gear can come from a mainland operator or nearby resort), canoeing, sailing, boating, birdwatching, bone fishing, drop-line fishing, kite surfing (bring your own gear), exploring the island (you can generally walk anywhere), visiting other islands, mangrove tour, relaxing in a hammock.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Belize included
Best Visited:
December to May
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
You pass by Belize Zoo on the way to Jade Jungle Resort. Why not pop in? You will see many of country’s animals and birds in very pleasant surroundings and it should only take you an hour or two.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We have had an amazing honeymoon. Everything was well organised and we didn’t have to worry about anything once we got to Belize. We met another couple who had booked through Reef and Rainforest who travelled with you before and we all agreed we would recommend your company to others. Thank you so much for a wonderful honeymoon.
