This fantastic itinerary offers the opportunity to try and spot a variety of wildlife by visiting a range of different ecosystems in Belize including rainforest, savannah, coastal mangroves and coral reefs. You will stay at two of the best wildlife and birding lodges in the country and at a small island eco-resort right atop the barrier reef.
Starting your trip at Lamanai Outpost Lodge you will have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife such as howler monkeys and toucans and many river birds such as Jabiru storks and kingfishers on night walks, sunrise canoeing trips and night spotlight river safaris.
You will then head to the rainforest of the Cayo District in Western Belize. You will stay at Black Rock Jungle Lodge, which has a stunning location high on the banks of the Macal River. Included in your stay is a guided night walk and a guided hike which takes you across the river and into the tropical jungle opposite the lodge.
Next, you will cross into Guatemala and head to Tikal National Park where you will spend a night near the majestic ruins. This site was once one of the biggest Mayan cities that once ruled over most of the region. Famous for its tall pyramids, it is also a great location for wildlife including ocellated turkeys, keel-billed, toucans, coatis, howler monkeys and many more.
Then transfer down to the middle coast of Belize to stay in the Garifuna village of Hopkins and enjoy a guided hike of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve before heading out to the island of South Water Caye which sits atop the barrier reef and you will stay at a small island eco-resort where you can snorkel from the beach, and also enjoy guided snorkel trips by boat to nearby patch reefs. View a variety of hard corals here including magnificent stag and brain corals, and swim among spotted eagle rays and parrotfish. Watch the sunset and the pelican's diving from your over the water cottage.
*Between the months of November and March a visit to Red Bank from Hopkins is recommended to see the Scarlet Macaws.
**Upgrade to luxury Ray Caye resort off the coast of Placencia that has spectacular reef around the island.
Day to Day
Below is an example day by day itinerary
Day 1
Overnight at airport hotel in US.
Day 2
Met on arrival and transferred by minibus and then riverboat along New River to Lamanai Outpost Lodge spotting birds and wildlife along the way. Your choice of two standard activities per day which could include sunrise canoeing on lagoon, spotlight night river safari, night walk, early morning birdwalk, guided tour of nearby Lamanai mayan ruins. Overnight at lodge (D).
Day 3
Your choice of two standard activities per day which could include sunrise canoeing on lagoon, spotlight night river safari, night walk, early morning birdwalk, guided tour of nearby Lamanai mayan ruins. Overnight Lamanai Outpost Lodge (BLD).
Day 4
Your choice of two standard activities per day which could include sunrise canoeing on lagoon, spotlight night river safari, night walk, early morning birdwalk, guided tour of nearby Lamanai mayan ruins. Overnight Lamanai Outpost Lodge (BLD).
Day 5
Transferred back to Belize International Airport. Met and transferred by vehicle to Black Rock Lodge in the western Cayo District. This is a very eco-friendly off-the-grid lodge great for wildlife and birdwatching. During your time here, you may see agutis, coatis, armadillos, red-eyed and yellow tree frogs, orange-breasted falcons, keel-billed toucans, gartered trogons, hummingbirds and many more. Overnight at Black Rock Lodge (BLD).
Day 6
Today you will take a guided hike on the grounds of Black Rock Lodge, your guide will point out native flora and fauna. You may traverse the Macal River and take a physical hike the other side affording views across the canyon. In the evening you will take a guided night walk and may spot red-eye tree frogs, bats, spiders, snakes and the possibility of a kinkajou or armadillo. Overnight at Black Rock Lodge (BLD).
Day 7
Day at leisure or participating in one of the many onsite activities, including birdwatching, tubing, kayaking, and many more. Overnight at Black Rock Lodge (BLD).
Day 8
Transferred across the border into Guatemala and visit the wonderful ruins at Tikal National Park. You can upgrade to a sunrise visit to the site, hearing the jungle come to life for the best chances of spotting wildlife and birds. Overnight Jungle Lodge (BD).
Day 9
Transfer back into Belize and to Dangriga on the southern coast before being transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hopkins an hour further south. Hopkins is a Garifuna village on the middle mainland coast and has a scenic setting on the beach, there a handful of shops and restaurants that serve both local dishes such as Hudut and continental cuisine. Overnight at Jaguar Reef Lodge (B).
Day 10
Day trip to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve. Jaguars are solitary animals and need large areas to roam especially when prey is scarce. The Cockscomb Basin Preserve forms part of a central american corridor protecting jaguars and although sightings are rare, the area has many hiking trails, waterfalls and includes the highest peak in Belize Victoria Peak. Overnight Jaguar Reef Lodge (B).
Day 11
Day at leisure or you could arrange a trip to Red Bank to see the Scarlet Macaws, Sittee River by Kayak, or a Bioluminescence Tour. Overnight Jaguar Reef Lodge (B).
Day 12
Transferred in an air-conditioned vehicle from Hopkins village to Dangriga where you will take a boat to the island of South Water Caye to stay at Pelican's Pouch. Hopkins is approx. 1 hour south of Dangriga by vehicle and the boat trip takes approx. 45 mins to the island. Overnight at Pelican's Pouch (BD).
Day 13
Enjoy a guided snorkel to nearby patch reef and snorkel at your own leisure from the southern beach at Pelican's Pouch where you will see many fish as well as hard and soft corals. Relax on your balcony overlooking the sea or in one of the hammocks on the beach. Overnight Pelican's Pouch (BLD).
Day 14
Day at leisure to relax in your natural surroundings, snorkel from the beach, watch Pelican's dive over the reef crest. Overnight Pelican's Pouch (BLD).
Day 15
Depart the island early by boat and transfer to Dangriga airstrip where you will fly in a propeller plane back to Belize International Airport in time for your international flight back to UK via the US. Trip ends.