Belize
Rainforest and Reef
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Belize is one of the most environmentally conscious countries in the Americas. Belizeans are proud of their wildlife and forests, and with a population of only 270,000, they have been able to create and maintain many "greenways" or wildlife corridors, allowing for freedom of wildlife movement between habitats. These wildlife corridors are necessary for sustaining animal populations through genetic diversity as well as for habitat protection. Belize is quickly becoming a popular eco-tourism destination due to the abundance of birds and other wildlife as well as its beautiful scenery and diversity of habitat.

The rainforest is only half of what Belize has to offer. Along its coast is the secong longest barrier reef in the world. Over 170 miles long, this incredible tropical reef offers some of the best snorkeling in the world!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Belize - Drive to Dangriga
Arrival in Belize, board our custom birding bus and depart for the Cockscomb Basin and Pelican Beach Resort (birding along the way), arriving for dinner. A brief orientation to Belize after dinner.

Day 2 - Cockscomb Basin
Hummingbirds, honeycreepers, woodpeckers and orioles abound in the Cockscomb Sanctuary. We will spend a full day exploring the trails of the sanctuary.

Day 3 - Barrier Reef
Today we will take a boat out to Southwater Caye for a day of snorkeling a reef exploration. Stops at Man-O-War Caye and other islands will offer many additional bird species as well.

Day 4 - Mangrove Exploration
Today's biirding will remain along the coast south of Dangriga in search of this habitat's specialists

Day 5 - On the road to the Crooked Tree Sanctuary
After breakfast we will load the van and head north to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary making many birding stops along the way, including Blue Hole National Park and Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Lunch at a favorite restaurant along the way. Dinner at Paradise Inn.

Day 6 - Crooked Tree Sanctuary
We will explore the Crooked Tree Lagoon and Spanish Creek by boat in search of the many species of birds which inhabit this beautiful sanctuary. With low canopy logwood, turtlebone, provision tree and mangrove, good views of Yellow-tailed Oriole, Mangrove Vireo and Rufous-browed Peppershrike are very possible. The endangered Black Howler Monkey and Morelets Crocodile are also found here. After lunch back at Paradise Inn, we will explore the upper end of the island, a pine-oak savanna. Yellow-lored (Yucatan) Parrot, Yucatan Woodpecker and Yucatan Jay can be found in this open habitat.

Day 7 - Crooked Tree Sanctuary
Today’s birding will begin with the Pine-oak savannah and end with another boat exploration of the lagoon. Night spotlighting for owls and potoos.

Day 8 Departure to USA
Pre-breakfast birdwalk. Load the vans for departure after breakfast to the airport for flights to the USA.

Birding Areas and Accommodations

Pelican Beach Resort
Located along the Caribbean Sea, Pelican Beach Resort offers a simple elegance and excellent dining. The breeze off the ocean is a constant companion. Many great birding hotspots are within easy driving distance of the resort and our snorkeling boat will pick us up right at the resort for our day on the reef.

Birds Eye View Lodge
ird's Eye View Lodge is set along the Crooked Tree Lagoon on the edge of the Creole settlement of Crooked Tree Village. This town of about 900 people offers incredible wildlife viewing as well as a very friendly atmosphere. Smiling faces will greet us everywhere in the village. The Inn’s comfortable rooms offer hot showers and cool fans. Delicious Creole style meals and desserts will be prepared in the main dining room.