Jaguar Trekking In Belize's Wild Side

Belize is home to the world's first and only jaguar sanctuary, with one of the healthiest jaguar populations in Central America. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the country's main jaguar sanctuary, with around 200 jaguars counted within its almost 400 km² of heavily forested land. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve is another high-altitude preserve where jaguars, ocelots, and other big cats reside. The Chan Chich Lodge, located in the Maya Forest, also offers immersive jungle experiences with opportunities to spot nocturnal hunters like jaguars. The Belize Zoo has a successful jaguar rehabilitation program, having saved over 20 jaguars by removing them from human areas and relocating them to the zoo.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve

The preserve was established to help protect the endangered jaguar and other species native to Belize. It is home to hundreds of wildlife species, including jaguars, birds, deer, butterflies, turtles, crocodiles, snakes, and spiders. While the chances of spotting a jaguar are slim, it is almost guaranteed that one will have seen you!

There are 17 different hiking trails at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, ranging from 'Easy' to 'Medium' to 'Intense'. The Wari Loop is an 'Easy' trail that takes about an hour to complete. It is a mostly flat circular loop around a semi-open forest, passing a lagoon along the way. This trail is also where park rangers monitor birds, as it has the highest sightings.

The Tiger Fern Trail is an 'Intense' trail that involves a lot of uphill hiking and clambering over rocks and tree roots. The heat and humidity can be intense, so it is important to take it slow and bring plenty of water. The destination makes the challenging hike worth it, as you will reach a clearing at the top of the path with a small picnic and camping area. From there, a steep descent leads to a beautiful double waterfall, which is perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is easy to get to from Dangriga, Placencia, and Hopkins. You can take a taxi or bus from Hopkins, which is the closest town to the sanctuary. The bus costs $2 USD and takes around 15-20 minutes.

The entrance fee for the preserve is $10 BZD ($5 USD) for adults and $2.5 BZD for Belize nationals and children. It is recommended to spend a full day at the sanctuary, allowing two to three hours for each trail you want to hike.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

The Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a 7,000-acre nature reserve in Belize, established in 2001 to protect the region's biodiversity and archaeological sites. The park is co-managed by the local non-profit, Friends of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, and the government.

The park is situated on the eastern end of the Maya Mountains, next to the Sittee River Forest Reserve, and connects the mountains to the coastal plains. It is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including tropical evergreen broadleaf, lowland, and hill forests.

Mayflower Bocawina offers excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities. Mammal species observed in the park include the elusive jaguar, Baird's tapir, Yucatan black howler monkey, ocelot, deer, coati, white-lipped peccary, paca, agouti, kinkajou, gray fox, Northern tamandua, and several dozen species of bats.

Birdwatchers will also find the park a paradise, with over 300 species of birds identified, including toucans, trogons, orioles, woodpeckers, owls, tanagers, kiskadees, hummingbirds, curassows, and kingfishers.

The park features a network of trails catering to various skill levels, from leisurely hikes to challenging treks. The family-friendly Bocawina Falls Trail leads to the falls, while the more demanding Antelope Falls Trail offers breathtaking views. For a real adventure, try the strenuous Big Drop Falls Trail, which takes you to a spectacular waterfall.

In addition to its natural attractions, Mayflower Bocawina also boasts several Mayan sites, including the Mayflower Plaza, Maintzunun temple mound, and Tau Witz. The park has two unexcavated Mayan Temple Mounds and a small teaching centre with exhibits on the ancient Maya and modern man's impact on the area.

The park offers a range of activities beyond hiking, including zip-lining, rappelling down waterfalls, and exploring hidden jungle pools. Visitors can also enjoy Belizean cuisine and comfortable accommodation at the on-site eco-lodge.

With its diverse wildlife, Mayan ruins, and immersive jungle experiences, Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers in Belize.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a nature reserve in the Cayo District of southern central Belize. It was established in 1944 to protect Belizean pine forests and manage forestry activity in the area. The reserve covers an estimated area of 106,352.5 acres (430 km2) and is predominantly pine forest (58.5%), primarily Caribbean pine, but with a significant broadleaf forest component (36.8%). The reserve also features small areas of grassland (3.4%) and wetland (0.6%), as well as roads, rivers and other features (10.9%).

The climate in the reserve is subtropical, with a rainy season from July to February and a dry season from February to May. During the dry season, temperatures can reach 39 °C (102 °F) with a humidity level of 70%. The reserve is situated on a granite massif, with some areas of limestone in the west, and its elevation averages between 400 and 700 metres (1,312 to 2,296 feet), reaching a high point of 1,017 metres (3,336 feet) at Baldy Beacon.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including large mammals such as cougars, jaguars, ocelots, white-nosed coatis, and Baird's tapirs. There is also a small population of Morelet's crocodiles. The reserve has a diverse range of native bird species, including the rufous-capped warbler, common crossbill, pine siskin, eastern bluebird, stygian owl, king vulture, and ocellated turkey. Seasonal species such as the hepatic tanager and chipping sparrow can be spotted from autumn to spring.

The reserve offers a range of attractions for visitors, including the Rio Frio Cave, a large cave with a river running through it, and the Rio On Pools, a series of granite pools and cascades. Big Rock Falls, on the Privassion Creek, features picturesque waterfalls and pools for swimming. The area also has a rich history, with Mayan artifacts discovered in Barton Creek Cave suggesting ritual use, and the ancient Mayan city of Caracol located on the reserve's borders.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve provides a refreshing experience, with its pine-tree-dominated landscape contrasting the tropical climate of the rest of the country. Visitors can enjoy the hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife, all while taking in the stunning views and paradisiacal ambience of the reserve.

Chan Chich Lodge

The lodge features 12 rustically charming yet comfortable thatched-roof cabanas and one two-bedroom villa, built on the site of an ancient Maya ruin. The rooms are built on elevated platforms and feature wraparound wooden decks with hammocks, chairs, and chaise lounges. Inside, the rooms have high, visible thatched-roof ceilings, screened-in windows, and wood walls. The bathrooms have a cabin feel, with wooden fixtures and a sink.

In addition to the extraordinary natural surroundings, Chan Chich Lodge offers guests the chance to explore the architectural wonders left behind by the ancient Maya civilisation. These hidden treasures are nestled within the jungle, offering a glimpse into the past. The lodge also provides guided walks of the on-site Mayan ruins, medicine plants, and birding walks.

The lodge has a restaurant serving international cuisine for three meals a day, with both indoor and outdoor seating. There is also a screened-in swimming pool with a Jacuzzi, surrounded by lush foliage.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo is home to a variety of mammals, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, white-lipped peccaries, Yucatan spider monkeys, black howler monkeys, Central American agoutis, lowland paca, gray foxes, neotropical otters, coatimundi, kinkajous, and tayras.

The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary. Birds at the zoo include scarlet macaws, red-lored amazons, yellow-headed amazons, keel-billed toucans, jabiru, harpy eagles, king vultures, great black hawks, ornate hawk-eagles, barn owls, mottled owls, crested guans, and great curassows.

Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, fer-de-lance, green iguanas, and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

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