Belize It-Places & People

 First Stop - Savanna Guest House

We selected this unusual B&B property in La Democracia, Belize near the Zoo for the first leg of our trip.

Unusual not only for it's remote location in the savanna, it also offered a intimate view into the lifestyle of owners Richard and Carol Foster, who are both filmmakers.





They primarily produced and filmed nature segments, many for national geographic.

Richard gave us a personal tour of the studio sets where they filmed events staged to reveal everything from tarantula mating dances, hummingbirds secret lives and bat echolocation.




Capturing Rain Water

Their guest house is not only open to travelers but also scientists and biologist who use the convenient location while doing their work in Belize. The stories the Fosters have to share are truly amazing.

During our stay we got to chat with a primate specialist, zoo worker, film editor and artist.







A bit off the grid they need to collect their rain water, but it wasn't too remote not to have WIFI.

Also for a reasonable fee they offered airport pickup and transport to the local restaurant. This made it very convenient to stay in a more remote location.








Savanna Nature Walk

They've developed a wonderful nature walk around the property which was beautiful in the early mornings.

Not pictured but seen: Parrots, Vultures and Chachalacas

Local Flora




Local Flora

Savanna Nature Walk

Local Flora

Best Little Zoo in the World



Keel-Billed Toucan

Sometimes when visiting a country the best place to see more native animals is the local zoo. The Belize Zoo, a half a mile away, offers a close up view of native animals.

The residents of the zoo are rescued and rehabbed animals, saved from a variety of situations.








We had to go twice to visit, once for the night tour for the nocturnal natives and again during the day.





Tapir and Local Flora



Rare Jabiru Stork and Local Flora

Rescued Jaguar

During the night tour we got to feed and pet many of the  animals. From the countries national animal the Tapir and even gave a high five to Luck Boy, a rescued Black Jaguar.

Here's a video of Lucky Boy and a Margay Cat.

 

Green Iguana Conservation Project

We traveled by bus to San Ignacio and stopped by to see the Iguanas. They're protected here and released when pregnant to lay their eggs. New nests are found and eggs are retrieved and raised in captivity to ensure they grow to adulthood.
You can feed them and even handled them with a guide.

One word of caution-don't eat Bamboo Chicken, it's actually iguana.