Cockscomb Basin and Sittee River
Early morning found us moored at the dock near the small town of Dangriga in southern Belize. After breakfast we boarded two busses for the hour-long trip to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. This 120,000 acre preserve was established in 1984 in the Cockscomb Mountains to preserve an important tract of old growth rainforest and all of the wonderful wildlife found there. During our walks we observed a great variety of birds, as well as deer and peccaries. Light rain added to the enjoyment of the rainforest by creating cool conditions for the various explorations we made in the forest.Some of us carried inner tubes into the forest for a chance to float down a river. Others hiked to vista points or stopped to swim in a lovely waterfall along the trail. Sadly no one spotted the elusive jaguar which lives in the reserve and was one of the main reasons for setting aside the area as a wildlife sanctuary.
After lunch we relocated the ship to the mouth of the Sittee River where we boarded Zodiacs for an afternoon exploration of the river environs. Along the way we again had excellent wildlife observations of a great number of birds. Other interesting animals seen were iguanas with the males in their full breeding colors, crocodiles and ctenosaurs.
Late in the afternoon we located a group of bats roosting under a tree branch and spotted some robust orchids growing on trees along the river.
Along the way we stopped at a riverside resort for some drinks before returning to the ship for our evening recap. While we were gone the kitchen crew prepared an elaborate dinner of various local dishes for us to enjoy. This was the prefect ending to a very full and interesting day.
Early morning found us moored at the dock near the small town of Dangriga in southern Belize. After breakfast we boarded two busses for the hour-long trip to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. This 120,000 acre preserve was established in 1984 in the Cockscomb Mountains to preserve an important tract of old growth rainforest and all of the wonderful wildlife found there. During our walks we observed a great variety of birds, as well as deer and peccaries. Light rain added to the enjoyment of the rainforest by creating cool conditions for the various explorations we made in the forest.Some of us carried inner tubes into the forest for a chance to float down a river. Others hiked to vista points or stopped to swim in a lovely waterfall along the trail. Sadly no one spotted the elusive jaguar which lives in the reserve and was one of the main reasons for setting aside the area as a wildlife sanctuary.
After lunch we relocated the ship to the mouth of the Sittee River where we boarded Zodiacs for an afternoon exploration of the river environs. Along the way we again had excellent wildlife observations of a great number of birds. Other interesting animals seen were iguanas with the males in their full breeding colors, crocodiles and ctenosaurs.
Late in the afternoon we located a group of bats roosting under a tree branch and spotted some robust orchids growing on trees along the river.
Along the way we stopped at a riverside resort for some drinks before returning to the ship for our evening recap. While we were gone the kitchen crew prepared an elaborate dinner of various local dishes for us to enjoy. This was the prefect ending to a very full and interesting day.
