The Natural History Highlights of Belize
Tour Introduction
Designed for those desiring a high degree of comfort and a relaxed, leisurely pace, this Belize natural history holiday takes in three of the best establishments and locations to be found there. The enthralling combination of Maya ruins, rainforest, rivers, lagoons, barrier reef and coral islands gives a profound insight into the many facets which can make Belize one of the world’s most rewarding destinations.
Full Itinerary
Arrive in Belize City then transfer by road north to the small Mayan community of Shipyard. There you will board a boat with a naturalist guide to travel along the beautiful New River (offering excellent wildlife viewing along the way) to your lodge on the banks of the New River Lagoon. The lagoon and its waterways are fringed by gallery rainforest and hold a wide variety of waterfowl, raptors, bats, mammals, reptiles and other wildlife, many species being in surprisingly large numbers and altogether providing many hours of excellent nature viewing. Nearly 400 bird species have so far been recorded at the lodge and the surrounding forest is home to a large population of black howler monkeys. Jungle cats such as the ocelot and jaguar are some of the more elusive residents. Accommodation is in a standard cabana.
Staying at Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Includes Dinner.
Day to enjoy your choice of two guided activities: canoeing, night boat safari, nature walking and visiting the Maya ruins.
Staying at Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day to enjoy your choice of two guided activities: canoeing, night boat safari, nature walking and visiting the Maya ruins.
Staying at Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day to enjoy your choice of two guided activities: canoeing, night boat safari, nature walking and visiting the Maya ruins.
Staying at Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Pick up from lodge and drive through miles of rainforest logging roads through the Rio Bravo Conservation Area and Programme For Belize reserve (offering excellent wildlife viewing on the way and probably the best chance to see Jaguar during your tour) to Chan Chich. The luxury lodge is built on the site of a Maya plaza, part of an ancient Maya city and is surrounded by high moist rainforest in which can be seen black howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, parrots, deer, and if lucky, nocturnal cats such as ocelot and jaguarundi. The lodge is also one of the best places to see jaguar in Belize. Accommodation is in a Pool Casita.
Staying at Chan Chich Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Free day for independent exploration and optional tours. There are miles of marked and well-kept trails for exploration of the surrounding high moist forest habitat and Maya mounds. Sometimes a night walk or night drive will be scheduled.
Staying at Chan Chich Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure for optional activities.
Staying at Chan Chich Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure for optional activities.
Staying at Chan Chich Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a private charter flight over miles of rainforest and follow the coast south, landing at the small beach town of Placencia. The long thin peninsula is in the less visited south of Belize, and boasts the country’s best beach. The waters offshore provide many attractive islands to visit and excellent snorkelling and diving both on the fringing reefs and right out at the reef drop-off. The small fishing village at the southern tip of the peninsula has much local colour and a good choice of small, independently owned restaurants and bars. Accommodation is in a Poolside Garden View Cottage.
Staying at Turtle Inn. Includes Breakfast.
Free day at leisure or enjoy optional activities such as snorkelling/diving by boat with lunch on island such as Laughing Bird Cay, Manatee watching, guided excursion to the 120,000 acres Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (the world’s first jaguar reserve), guided excursion to the Lubaantun Maya ruins or boat excursion up the Monkey River to observe jungle wildlife.
Staying at Turtle Inn. Includes Breakfast.
Free day at leisure or enjoy optional activities.
Staying at Turtle Inn. Includes Breakfast.
Free day at leisure or enjoy optional activities.
Staying at Turtle Inn. Includes Breakfast.
Fly back to Belize City and check-in to your international flight home.
Staying at On flight. Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Lamanai Outpost Lodge
Overview
A long established, well-run, family-owned lodge with rustic-chic, comfortable cabanas set on a huge 28-mile freshwater lagoon and right by Lamanai Maya ruins, one of Belize’s most important sites. Plenty of on-site activities and excursions are available, and you might even see Menonites (similar to Amish) on their horse-drawn buggies. The lodge is ideal for wildlife and waterfowl lovers perhaps with an interest in Mayan civilisation.
All activities are on-site or very near the lodge. The package generally includes two standard activities per night’s stay, as follows: jungle dawn guided nature walk; sunrise canoe expedition; visit to Lamanai ruins; Maya medicine trail; sunset cocktail cruise; spotlight nocturnal wildlife safari; night nature walk. If you are not on a package, all activities are optional.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, mini bar, verandah, fans, restaurant, bar, TV in rooms, dock with boats, canoes
Local Wildlife
Birds including various raptors and kingfishers, jabiru stork, keel-billed toucan and water birds such as northern jacana, Morelet’s crocodile, manatee, neotropical otter, northern racoon, bats, mantled howler monkey. The sight of reflective crocodile eyes shining at you in the night is unforgettable as they hunt the water birds such as jacana. Jaguar and other wild cats are occasionally seen near the lodge but it’s rare.
Optional Activities
If you are not on a package, all activities mentioned above are optional.
Chan Chich Lodge
Overview
One of the first wildlife lodges in Belize, dating back to 1988 and cited by Gerald Durrell as the model on which all such lodges should be based. A truly special place, set in its own Maya plaza surrounded by 130,000 acres of private lowland rainforest reserve. Getting there is an adventure in itself: you fly to a remote airstrip by light aircraft, then transfer by vehicle along miles of jungle track – even crossing a real suspension bridge – before arriving at the magical lodge.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
14 luxury detached cabanas plus one two-bedroom cabana, ideal for families. Fully screened-in jungle pool with Jacuzzi, restaurant, bar, huge private reserve with nearly 10 miles of trails, Maya ruins,
lake for canoeing, riding stables.
Local Wildlife
Chan Chich offers perhaps the best general wildlife viewing in Belize. More than 350 bird species including keel-billed toucan and various parrots, howler monkey, spider monkey, white tailed deer, kinkajou, ocelot and jaguarundi. Puma and jaguar are sometimes seen, especially at dawn or dusk or at night, mainly along the old logging trails: indeed, this is where these cats are most seen by visitors to Belize.
Optional Activities
Guided and independent nature walks, night wildlife walks, swimming, canoeing, archaeology walks, medicinal plant walks, bird watching, horse riding, night drives and some full day excursions off site, including to Lamanai.
Turtle Inn
Overview
Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, the exclusive upmarket resort is set on the beach amongst coconut palms and tropical flowers at Placencia, in southern Belize. The detached thatched “Balinese” cabanas are all exquisitely decorated in local hardwoods with handmade textiles. Each has a luxury private bathroom and some enjoy a panoramic view of the Caribbean. There are superior bungalows with separate living room, and some family bungalows with living room and two bedrooms, each with private bathroom.
The hotel has its own dive operation, two swimming pools, spa and two restaurants serving excellent seafood, organic vegetables, fresh pasta, hand-made pizzas, fresh fruit juices, espresso coffees and an extensive selection of wines from Coppola’s California estates. There are also two bars, one named after the original American owner, Skip White (our director knew Skip, who was a real character).
Hammocks are provided for relaxing siestas and bicycles are included should you feel more energetic.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, mini-bars, free Wi-Fi, room service, hair dryer, swimming pool, spa, dive operation, laundry service and bars. Two restaurants: the main Mare Restaurant serves seafood and Italian specialities including pizza; the beachfront Gauguin Grill offers informal dining on fresh seafood with a range of influences. Off-site is Auntie Luba’s Kitchen with a choice of local dishes.
Local Wildlife
Seabirds and marine fauna including green turtles and rays. The nearby Monkey River flows through estuarine forest where mantled howler monkey, iguanas, American crocodile and water birds are regularly seen. The West Indian manatee occurs in the waterways here but is difficult to see.
Optional Activities
Snorkelling and diving trips by boat, fishing, cycling, swimming, wander into Placencia village, sailing boat trips, excursion to Monkey River by boat, visiting the Cockscomb Reserve and some nearby Mayan ruins.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Fly from London to Belize City
Best Visited:
January 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.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Really enjoyed eating traditional Belizian food and the variation between hotels. Every single member of staff we met was friendly, pleasant and helpful and we had a fabulous time. The holiday itinerary fulfilled out brief and our expectations – a big thank you for that.
