Belize Birding Adventure

Nestled in the heart of a lush subtropical forest in northwest Belize, Chan Chich Jungle Lodge is a top-tier destination for adventure and nature enthusiasts. This expansive 130,000-acre area teems with diverse wildlife, offering an unparalleled opportunity to spot the rare jaguar in its natural surroundings. It’s an ideal spot for wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, and anyone looking for a genuine jungle escape.

The lodge boasts an enviable variety of avifauna with specialties such as the Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Tody Motmot, Gray-throated Chat, Lovely Cotinga, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Rose Throated Tanager, as well as a host of colorful toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds in its species list of over 350.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch and Botanical Collection are not only about butterflies but also about their food plants. Our performance generally recognizes biodiversity as an essential component. The Green Hills’ biological diversity incorporates plant life that attracts butterflies and birdlife. The reserve has documented at least 316 bird species around the 100 acres.

Hummingbirds take a central role due to the ease of observing them. Bird feeders situated close to the caterpillar building bring in lots of hummingbirds and often really distract from the butterflies. Until today, we have documented at least 15 hummingbird species, with 11 observable at the feeders. Visitors often spot six species in a single visit to Green Hills Ranch.

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a beautiful location where you can view some particular species of birds. It’s the best place in the country to view the Orange-breasted Falcon.

Other common birds to the reserve are the Red Crossbill, the Pine Siskin, the Eastern Bluebird, the Rufous-capped Warbler, Grace’s Warbler, the Stygian Owl, the Hepatic Tanager, and the Yellow-backed Oriole—an excellent destination to see a wide variety of species.

Some of the species that inhabit this reserve are:

Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Orange-breasted Falcon, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, White-fronted Parrot, Crimson-collared Tanager, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, King Vulture, White-collared Manakin, White-whiskered Puffbird, Bright-rumped Attila, Piratic Flycatcher, Yellow-green Vireo, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Blue-black Grosbeak, Plain Chachalaca, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Green-backed Sparrow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Pale-billed, Lineated Woodpecker, Squirrel Cuckoo, Tody Motmot, Black-headed trogon, Slaty-tailed trogon, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Gray-throated Chat among other.

This reserve is home to a vulnerable species of bird called the Keel-billed Motmot and is one of the last places on the planet to see it in the wild. These birds nest in this area. Also, this location offers sightings of Toucans, Trogons, Ocellated Turkeys, Crested Guans, and Great Curassows.

Upon arrival at Philip Goldson International Airport, our welcoming representative will escort you to Chan Chich Jungle Lodge via plane. After landing and checking in at the lodge, enjoy lunch and an afternoon birding session around the lodge’s vibrant gardens. The evening includes dinner and your stay at Chan Chich Jungle Lodge.

Spend the morning trekking the Bajo trail and Sylvester Road, rich in birdwatching opportunities. Discover species like the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Rose-throated Tanager, and Ruddy Quail-Dove. These trails are also excellent for spotting wildlife such as Tapirs and Ocelots. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the escarpment, which is more than 900 ft above sea level and ideal for observing raptors and vultures. The day ends with a night drive to sight nocturnal wildlife, including Jaguars and Owls, overnight at Chan Chich Lodge.

After an early morning birdwatching session at the lodge, we set off towards Mountain Pine Ridge, passing through Chiquibul Road and various well-preserved forests, home to multiple mammals—spot birds like Gray Hawks and Black Hawk-Eagles en route. A visit to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch showcases numerous hummingbird species. We are concluding the day with check-in and birding at Hidden Valley Inn, dinner, and lodging there.

Start the day with early coffee, observing birds at the feeder. We venture into the Western Belize mountains post-breakfast, looking for raptors like the Orange Breasted Falcon. Enjoy an afternoon birding tour through different trails, spotting species like the Black-headed Saltator and Dusky-capped Flycatcher. The evening brings an opportunity to sight Stygian Owls and other nocturnal species, followed by dinner and a stay at Hidden Valley Inn.

Embark early on a trip into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, seeking birds like the keel-billed Motmot amidst exploring the Ancient Mayan City of Caracol. The journey offers excellent birdwatching, including raptors and toucans. The day concludes with dinner and another night at Hidden Valley Inn.

We ensure a timely transfer to Belize International Airport for your homeward journey, culminating in the Belize Birding Adventure.