Workshops & Tours

Introduction

Belize provides an excellent introduction to neotropical wildlife in a variety of different habitats, from wetland lagoons to tropical rainforests replete with a bewildering array of colourful and spectacular species.

Itinerary

We will start our tour at an inland lagoon, only an hour's drive from the airport, where there is a fantastic diversity and abundance of approachable wildlife. Both by exploring the immediate surrounding area on foot and taking early morning boat we will have ample opportunities to photograph a wide range of species, such as Snail Kite, Black-collared Hawk, Bat Falcon, various herons and egrets, Yucatan Jay, Acorn Woodpecker, 4 species of Oriole, numerous wintering North American warblers and both Black and Green Iguanas. At night, we will have the opportunity to photograph Pauraque, a species of nightjar, as they sit under the streetlamps waiting to catch moths attracted to the lights.

We will next move to my favourite jungle lodge close to Belmopan which is the best place in Belize for viewing hummingbirds as well as a wealth of other rainforest birds such as toucans, aracaris, tanagers and manakins. Nocturnal wildlife is superb here too, with at least 2 species of Long-tongued Bats visiting the hummingbird feeders. Spectacled Owl, Kinkajoo and tarantulas can also be found at night.

Two nights at a luxurious lodge on the Mountain Pine Ridge will provide opportunities to photograph a variety of species not found in the lowland forests such as Red-crowned Ant-tanager and Rufous-capped Warbler.

The final night will be spent at a beautiful jungle lodge near San Ignacio. The fruit feeders at the lodge can be quite busy at times and it is possible to spend a productive afternoon photographing several Collared Aracaris that regularly join the numerous Brown Jays, Clay-coloured Robins and Red-crowned Ant-tanagers while sipping cocktails at the bar if you wish. The nearby botanic gardens also provide an opportunity to photograph some of the native orchids found in Belize.

A 3-day extension to visit the spectacular Mayan archaeological site of Tikal, in the heart of a pristine rainforest teeming with wildlife, can be arranged on request.

Logistics

This tour is strictly limited to 6 participants. The small group size is important for ensuring each participant has the best photographic opportunities possible and enable me to provide the maximum amount of personal attention and instruction to everyone.

Accommodation and meals throughout the tour will be in ecolodges ranging from comfortable to luxury in standard. All the lodges serve excellent food, prepared with US/European standards of hygiene.

Costs:

• The cost of this workshop is US$3225

• A deposit of US$500 is required to reserve your place on this tour

• Full payment of the remaining balance is due at least 90 days before commencement of the tour.

• If travelling alone, a single person supplement of US$750 is required due to the price of accommodation being calculated on the basis of two people sharing a double or twin room. Sharing may be possible if you wish to avoid paying this supplement.

Please read the booking policy carefully.

Included in the price:

• All accommodation, meals and ground transportation (including transfers to Belize Airport) during the tour

• All entrance fees to National Parks and reserves

• All expert photographic instruction

Not included in the price

• International flights to the start and end points of the tour are NOT included in the price and are the responsibility of the individual participants.

• Bar bills

• travel and medical insurance costs

• any additional accommodation or meals outside of the dates of the workshop

• passport, visa or immunisation fees

• other sundry items of a personal nature (eg. laundry, hotel phone bills, etc.)

• any fees incurred for medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation.

Suggested Equipment

To get the most from this tour you it is strongly recommended that you bring a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens of 400mm or greater. A tripod and flashgun are also highly recommended.

Other equipment you may want to consider bringing includes:

• a wide angle lens for landscapes
  

• a macro lens for photographing insects, flowers or lizards