One of the highlights of any birding trip to Belize is the morning boat tour of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. This inland lagoon offers habitat to an amazing array of wetland birds and raptors, like the Black-collared Hawk and Snail Kite. This three-hour trip gives us up-close views of charismatic species like the Northern Jacana, Bare-throated Tiger-heron, and maybe a Fork-tailed Flycatcher. While there's never a guarantee, we will try to find the Jabiru (pictured here - the largest stork in the western hemisphere) and the beautiful Agami Heron. Following the boat trip, we will pack up and get transported to the river landing, where we will take a boat ride down the New River to the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. After dinner we will go on the memorable nighttime spotlight safari! 

Lamanai Outpost Lodge is located at the edge of the village of Indian Church. We will walk through the village looking for birds and talking about natural medicines, then visit the local women's co-op for a hands-on cooking experience... we get to make tortillas and tamales! Our relaxing afternoon will conclude with a sunset cocktail cruise, where we'll exchange stories and look for a few more birds for our growing list. 

The Lamanai Archaeological Site is beautiful and birdy, with good chances of seeing Howler Monkeys (above) and trogons amid the diversity of wildlife. We'll spend the morning touring this Mayan site. After lunch, we will get transported by boat and van to the Tropical Education Center (TEC), where we will stay for one night. The TEC is located next to the Belize Zoo, famous for its education programs and personalized care for native wildlife that can't be released back into nature. We will get a guided night-time tour of the zoo so that we can see the activity of the cats and other nocturnal animals. 

On this day we depart the Tropical Education Center and head to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, an amazing conservation operation with native butterflies, hummingbirds, and an educational tour. We'll get to see six to eight hummingbird species at close range, including many White-necked Jacobin (pictured here). We will have a typical homemade lunch at Upe Nai, then head to Ajaw Chocolate for a chocolate-making demonstration. Each person will get to taste cacao in its different forms and grind the beans as well. We then travel to Black Rock Lodge (one of my favorite places in the world!) for dinner and three nights of enjoying the jungle.  

Today is a day of relaxation and birding as we enjoy the grounds of Black Rock Lodge. Our knowledgeable guide will offer several bird walks for us throughout the day on this remote property. We should be able to find honeycreepers (Green Honeycreeper pictured above), aracaris, hawk-eagles, and other tropical birds. Nestled in a river valley between spectacular cliffs, Black Rock offers a variety of habitats and good raptor viewing, even from the dining area. Enjoy a freshwater pool, hike the trails, or get a massage during your free time. The best of Belize! 

After a Belizean breakfast, our guide will take us to the nearby Xunantunich Archaeological Site, an awe-inspiring Mayan ruins near the Guatemalan border, for a historical/birding tour. Bring your camera and your hiking shoes for a step back in time to when the Mayan civilization flourished. We might see warblers, woodpeckers, or a Lesson's Motmot in the jungle surrounding the ruins. Following the tour we will dine at Benny's Kitchen in the town of San Jose de Succotz next to site. The afternoon offers a chance to further explore the grounds of Black Rock Lodge.

Time to pack for home! After another amazing Belizean breakfast, we will load up the van for the 2+ hour drive to the airport. Schedule your flight home for early to mid-afternoon. On your way home, you'll likely be thinking... "how soon can I come back?!?"