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Join Naturalist Journeys for this exciting Belize nature adventure. Only two hours by plane from Miami, Belize offers a rich combination of Mayan ruins and rich forests that are home to Jaguars and a diversity of tropical birds, mammals, and butterflies. The country's kind, hospitable people speak English and have a long tradition of caring for their biological wealth. We spend time at two of Belize’s finest and best-known naturalists’ lodges: Lamanai Outpost and Chan Chich, nestled in reserves and protected forests, and offering varying habitats, Mayan ruins, and tasty food.
Explore Belize’s biological treasures and cultural roots. We emphasize birding, but also discover natural history and Mayan heritage … and some enjoyable, relaxing fun. Enjoy extended time at each of the two lodges to ease travel and absorb the special attributes that give them such amazing reputations.




- "A birding paradise. Two rather exotic outposts in Central American jungle settings among Mayan ruins led to a wondrous experience. If you are a birder or just interested in ruins this is a trip for you." — Gary & Ann Carpenter, 2023 Travelers
- "Fabulous, it was well organized, well guided, food and lodges were super! The country was beautiful and the people kind." — Janet Miller 2023 Traveler
Tour Highlights
- Bird from two incredible Mayan temples, surveying the forest canopy from above
- Relax at the beautiful Lamanai Lodge, just a short walk away from impressive Mayan ruins
- Embark on night excursions in search of several species of bats, night birds, and maybe even a Jaguar!
- Enjoy time in a Mayan plaza at Chan Chich Rain Forest Lodge
- Awake to the sound of forest-falcons, tinamous, and motmots, right out your door
- Walk and bird the trails at Chan Chich, through many habitats in search of parrots, toucans, trogons, and more




Trip Itinerary
Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.
Sat., Feb. 17 : Arrivals | Black Orchid Resort
Welcome to Belize! Your local guide meets you upon arrival today and transfers you to the beautiful Black Orchid Resort. Please plan to arrive by 2:00 PM today.
Our resort is on the Belize River and boasts a host of amenities including a pool, restaurant, and canoes. We can bird the lodge’s grounds today before kicking off the trip with dinner at the resort’s restaurant.
Accommodations at Black Orchid Resort (D)

Sun., Feb. 18 : Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary | Lamanai Outpost Lodge
After an early breakfast and coffee we depart for Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary where we enjoy a morning boat trip. Barely an hour north of the airport, this refuge is one of the premier birding destinations for aquatic birds in Central America, and is designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
A labyrinth of waterways and small islands, the refuge covers 16,400+ acres of creeks, swamps, and hummocks, including adjoining lowland pine savannas and tropical broadleaf forests. Watch for Morelet’s Crocodile and other reptiles, as well Yucatan Squirrel and possible Neotropical River Otter.
Inland lagoons support an astonishing array of bird life. Peregrine Falcon, Black-collared Hawk, Great Black Hawk, and Snail Kite are raptor highlights, while across the lagoon, we look for long-toed Northern Jacana and Common Gallinule among the lily pads, with Black-bellied Whistling and Muscovy Ducks nearby. Overhead we may see Caspian and Gull-billed Terns, while the vegetation along the banks supports populations of Anhinga, Tricolored Heron, and Limpkin. Additional heron species may include Little Blue, Green, both night herons (Black- and Yellow-crowned), and possibly Agami. Crooked Tree is also known for its Boat-billed Heron
rookeries, which can be noisy, with birds vocalizing and bill-clacking. We also watch for Amazon, Green, Belted, Ringed, and even American Pygmy Kingfishers (the latter as small as a sparrow) perched above the water.
One of the key species we look for on the water is the Sungrebe. We also carefully watch for Jabiru storks, the tallest flying bird in Central and South America. Yucatan endemics include Red-vented (or Yucatan) Woodpecker, Yucatan Flycatcher, Yellow-lored Parrot, the raucous Yucatan Jay, and possibly even Black Catbird.
Nearby Crooked Tree Village, established around 1750, is possibly the earliest inland European settlement in Belize. Surrounded by Crooked Tree Lagoon, it is known for its locally grown and processed cashews. We enjoy lunch in the village before we depart for Lamanai.
After lunch we depart on another boat trip, this time to transport us to Lamanai Outpost Lodge, our home for the next three nights. The transfer in to Lamanai is FUN. From the boat, we should see Mangrove Swallow, Limpkin, Northern Jacana, Swallow-tailed and Snail Kites, and, with luck, a Black-collared Hawk or a huge Jabiru. Be ready with a windbreaker, camera, and binoculars. We arrive in time for late-afternoon birding by the lodge and dinner.
Accommodations at Lamanai Outpost Lodge (B,L,D)

Mon., Feb. 19 : Lamanai Outpost Lodge
Whether you’re well-traveled in Central America or visiting for the first time, there is much to hold your attention at Lamanai. Birds and monkeys busy themselves around the cabins; nearly 200 species of butterflies flit through the area, colorful dragonflies and damselflies buzz by, lizards ranging in size from tiny geckoes to five-foot-long iguanas lounge around, and of course, numerous herbs, shrubs, and trees attract wild tropical wonder.
We’re mindful of some of the regional endemics, including Black Catbird, Rose-throated Tanager, Yucatan Jay, and Gray-throated Chat. One of the most interesting phenomena, and one we are likely to encounter at Lamanai and Chan Chich, is an army ant march. Birds of many families attend these marches, eating the insects, frogs, lizards, and other organisms flushed by the foraging ants. Standing quietly at the margin of an ant swarm, we get close looks at faithful ant followers, including Gray-headed Tanager, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, and a number of woodcreepers, including Tawny-winged and Northern Barred. Other possibilities are White-whiskered Puffbird, several flycatchers, migrant warblers, and perhaps a Great Tinamou. Even birds of prey like the dainty Barred Forest-Falcon follow ant swarms — all so absorbed in the sea of insect life that they ignore our fascinated observation.
Accommodations at Lamanai Outpost Lodge (B,L,D(

Tues., Feb. 20 : Lamanai Outpost Lodge
Overlooking the edge of the large New River Lagoon, Lamanai offers a different mix of birds from Chan Chich, our second lodge. Some birds at the water’s edge are familiar: Neotropic Cormorant, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, and Purple Gallinule. Others, like White-collared Seedeater, Mangrove Vireo, Ruddy Crake, or the delightful American Pygmy Kingfisher remind you that you have left the United States. Open-air dining lets you be immersed in nature; local foods and tropical fruits abound!
During our stay we take several boat trips. Canoe excursions offer relaxing and intimate wildlife views, and can be arranged for both day and night paddles. Such trips frequently produce an endangered Morelet's Crocodile, iguanas, and basilisk lizards, up to five species of kingfishers, Boat-billed Heron, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, and occasionally a rarity like an Agami Heron. At night, with the aid of spotlights, we look for several species of bats, Yucatan Nightjar, Yucatan Poorwill, and Northern Potoo.
We also make sure to have time to see the impressive Lamanai Maya Ruins, and to explore the open savanna habitat, which affords us a good mix of species including Yucatan Woodpecker, Yellow-lored Parrot, the Petén race of Botteri’s Sparrow, and occasionally Aplomado Falcon.
Accommodations at Lamanai Lodge (B,L,D)

Wed., Feb. 21 : Lamanai Outpost Lodge to Chan Chich Lodge
We enjoy a last morning of birding and breakfast at Lamanai Outpost Lodge before departing by van shuttle to Chan Chich Lodge. This is largely a travel day, on back roads through Mennonite farming country; we do stop for some birding along the way as the opportunity presents itself, and take a break at a small country store. We bring snacks, and plan on a late lunch upon arrival at the lodge.
Chan Chich (Maya for “little bird”) is one of the premier birding lodges in the world, located near the very remote coffee and livestock producing community of Gallon Jug. En route, we watch for Crested Caracara and other birds of prey, Scissor-tailed and Fork-tailed Flycatchers, and flooded fields that attract waterfowl, large wading birds, and migrating shorebirds.
Chan Chich Rainforest Lodge, set in a Maya Plaza dating from the Classic Maya Period of 250 – 800 AD, is located within the 250,000 acre Rio Bravo Wilderness Conservation Area in northwestern Belize. The comfortable lodge and its twelve cabañas are made of local materials and are attractively furnished. From your porch you are likely to see Ocellated Turkey parading through the plaza, hear howler monkeys calling above, and see a Crested Guan crashing through the trees.
The extensive trail network could reveal Great Tinamou, Red-capped Manakin, Royal Flycatcher, and Lovely Cotinga, along with a host of trogons, parrots, and toucans. Finding their tracks, the possibility of sighting secretive wild cats adds to the excitement. You can visit Maya burial chambers with painted friezes still intact, canoe on Laguna Verde, or swim in a nearby stream where you might be joined by a playful River Otter. Chan Chich also has a swimming pool and spa in this exquisite foreest setting.
The rich forest here is home to over 350 species of birds, including Ocellated Turkey, Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Maya Antthrush, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Royal Flycatcher, and the impossibly cute and often elusive Tody Motmot. It is always a pleasure to be here!
Mammals like Yucatan Black Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, Central American Agouti, and Gray Fox are commonly seen, and five felines, including Ocelot and Jaguar, have been found here, too. Beautiful hummingbirds like the Purple-crowned Fairy and Long-billed and Stripe-throated Hermits feed in clearings around the cabins, and both Red-capped and White-collared Manakins take berries at fruiting shrubs near the dining room.
As the morning air warms, birds of prey like Bat Falcon, White Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, and Plumbeous Kite soar over the cabañas. By January, the bird population is even richer as local nesting birds are joined by numerous migrants: warblers, vireos, orioles, and flycatchers that spend the winter in these rich forests.
Once settled, we begin our exploration with a short afternoon hike to the Upper Plaza and the King’s Tomb Trail. Mounds that have formed over unexcavated ruins provide nest sites for Lesson's Motmot, which are frequently seen around the lodge clearing. Montezuma Oropendola, which nest in colonies around the lodge, are fun to watch as they tumble and gurgle in courtship display.
Accommodations at Chan Chich Lodge (B,L,D)

Thurs., Feb. 22 : Chan Chich Lodge & Nature Reserve
The nighttime serenade of Common Pauraque quickly blends into a dawn chorus of tinamous, motmots, and perhaps a Strong-billed Woodcreeper, ushering in our early morning walk. With luck we find an assortment of dazzling tropical tanagers, woodpeckers, euphonias, and honeycreepers.
After a delicious breakfast, we venture into the forest, past manakin leks and the territories of dueting Spot-breasted Wren. One trail takes us to a lower open and moist tintal forest where specialties include Rose-throated Tanager, Gray-throated Chat, and Yucatan Flycatcher. On a recent visit to the tintal, a Pheasant Cuckoo sang endlessly. Here we have a greater chance of encountering shy birds like Ruddy Quail-Dove, Great Curassow, and Scaly-throated Leaftosser that are unlikely to venture into the lodge clearing.
We break for lunch and perhaps a brief siesta or a swim, then head out in the late afternoon as the forest cools and life stirs. Today we likely explore the River Trail, which skirts wetter habitats. On past tours we’ve surprised a Tapir enjoying its bath, found both Green and Pygmy Kingfishers and watched delicate hummingbirds come in to drink and bathe.
By 5:30 PM, the afternoon is turning to dusk and we enjoy camaraderie and armchair birding at the lodge’s traditional happy hour and dinner. Mealy Parrot and Olive-throated Parakeet are noisy and are seen as they come to their evening roosts.
Accommodations at Chan Chich Lodge (B,L,D)

Fri., Feb. 23 : Chan Chich Lodge & Nature Reserve
Today we have several options to choose from; our agenda is to venture farther afield. We may opt for a motorized excursion, with a visit to an escarpment, good for birds of prey (including Ornate Hawk-Eagle) or visit a lagoon that may produce a Bare-throated Tiger-Heron or Pinnated Bittern. Our local guides that are out regularly can help us make the best decision. On either outing, passing through open country around the town of Gallon Jug, we seek birds like Tropical Pewee, Giant Cowbird, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, and Bat and Laughing Falcons.
We return in the afternoon to enjoy dusk time in the beautiful surroundings, when guans and parrots come in to roost. After dinner, we venture out on a night drive. This is one of the few sites where you may actually see a Jaguar, Jaguarundi, Margay, or Ocelot in the wild. More frequently seen are White-tailed Deer, Northern Tamandua, Four-eyed Opossum, Gray Fox, and birds like Common Pauraque and Northern Potoo.
Accommodations at Chan Chich Lodge (B,L,D)

Sat., Feb. 24 : Chan Chich Lodge & Nature Reserve
This morning we walk along the lush Sylvester Village road, which passes through a variety of forest types, good for birds and butterflies (when sunny). This is always a productive walk for elusive species.
In the afternoon we stroll out on the main road leading from the lodge to the suspension bridge over Chan Chich Creek. Here, huge Blue Morpho butterflies flit by, Cinnamon Becard whistle at the roadside, and fruiting trees attract Black-crowned Tityra, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Golden-hooded Tanager, and maybe a wintering Yellow-throated Vireo. Some spotting scope work at the bridge could produce several species of dragonflies and damselflies, including one of the red-eyed dancers or the colorful Caribbean Yellowface.
We return to the lodge for a relaxing final evening and a delicious dinner, with time to recount our trip highlights.
Accommodations at Chan Chich Lodge (B,L,D)
Sun., Feb. 25 : Chan Chich Rain Forest Lodge | Departures
Today, we leave Chan Chich and return to Belize City via charter flights out of Gallon Jug. Please schedule return flights for noon onwards, figuring you need to be at the airport 2.5 hours ahead of your flight. Ground transportation (that takes considerably longer than the flight) is possible out from the lodge if you prefer not to fly. (B)
Cost of the Journey
Cost of the journey is $4290 DBL / $4990 SGL, per person, based on double occupancy, from Belize City. Cost includes: all accommodations; all meals as stated in the itinerary (B,L,D); group airport transfers; in-country charter flights, ground transportation within Belize between two lodges; professional guide services; park, preserve, and other activity fees; lodge tips; and miscellaneous program expenses. Price does not include: roundtrip airfare to and from Belize City, items of a personal nature like laundry, porterage, telephone charges, or alcoholic beverages, gratuities for maids or porters.
Travel Details
Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.
Travel Information: Arrival and Departure Airport: Philip SW Goldson International Airport (BZE)
Arrival Information: Feb. 17, 2024 Please arrive no later than 4 PM. We then have about a three-hour drive to our lodge.
Departure Information: Feb. 25, 2024 Plan to depart after 1 PM (we take a flight from Punta Gorda airport in the southern part of the country back to the international airport in the morning, typically this flight is about 9AM and depending on stops, gets to the BZE about 10:30 AM.
Hotel Recommendations: The Black Orchid Resort is about 20 minutes from the airport and they can arrange transfers. There is a restaurant on site and hotel staff can assist with booking outings. You can also relax on site and bird along the river. On the start date of the tour, drivers from the Black Rock Lodge can pick you up here so you do not have to go back to the airport. If you want to explore even more, you can consider 2-3 nights at the delightful Lamanai Outpost Lodge , accessed by boat.
Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.
Belize
- March 2014
- February 2016
- January 2017 (w/Cave Creek Ranch)
- February 2017 (Private Tour)
- February 2017
- January 2018
- March 2018
- January 2019
- March 2019
- January 2020
- February 2020
- March 2020
- July 2021
- October 2021
- November 2021 (Birds & Beaches)
- December 2021
- January 2022
- March 2022
- November 2022
- January 2023
- February 2023 (3 Lodge Tour)
- March 2023
Southern Belize
- March 2018
- February 2019
- February 2020
- March 2021
- February 2022
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Bryan Calk
Bryan started birding at Fort Clark Springs in southwest Texas when he was 10 years old and never stopped. He got his first taste of guiding while leading trips for the Rio Brazos Audubon Society during college. After graduating from Texas A&M in 2015 with a degree in genetics, Bryan worked as an avian field biologist on several projects across Texas and New Mexico. Currently residing in Albuquerque as a professional birding tour guide, he leads field tours, workshops, and youth birding programs across the US. In his free time, Bryan enjoys butterflies, searching for herps, photography, art, cooking, and gardening.
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Photo credits: Banners: Collared Aracari by Greg Smith; Jabiru by Peg Abbott; Naturalist Journeys Group Birding Ruins by Carlos Sanchez; Great Black Hawk by Carlos Sanchez; Waders, Naturalist Journeys Stock; Barred Forest-Falcon by Narca Moore-Craig; Barton Creek Boating by Narca Moore-Craig; Birding Caracol Archeological Project by Narca Moore-Craig; Lovely Cotinga by James Adams; Keel-billed Toucan by Narca Moore-Craig; Pale-billed Woodpecker by Narca Moore-Craig; Belize Scenic, Naturalist Journeys Stock; Ornate Hawk-Eagle by Narca Moore-Craig; Masked Tityra by Peg Abbott; Green Jays by Bob Behrstock; Orange-breasted Falcon by Pat Lueders; King Vulture by Doug Greenberg; Squirrel Cuckoo by Sandy Sorkin; Black-cowled Oriole, Naturalist Journeys Stock; Blue-gray Tanager by Peg Abbott; Tody Motmot by Peg Abbott; Olive-backed Euphonia by Sandy Sorkin; Crested Guan by Sandy Sorkin; Black-faced Grosbeak by Sandy Sorkin; Ocellated Turkey by Peg Abbott; Central American Spider Monkey by Peg Abbott; Morelet's Crocodile by Peg Abbott; Black-cheeked Woodpecker by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Slaty-tailed Trogon by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Scaly-breasted Hummingbird by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Red-lored Parrot by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Long-billed Hermit by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Eastern Meadowlark by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Cinnamon Becard by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening; Chestnut-colored Woodpecker by Gerold Morrison and Holly Greening.