Covering over 11,000 hectares, the Shipstern Nature Reserve encompasses vast terrains of lagoons, wetlands and tropical rainforest as well as dry forests. It plays home to all five cat species found in Belize as well as the endangered Baird’s Tapir and a huge variety of other flora and fauna. There is also the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a land of savannahs, creeks and logwood thickets with a bird population of around 286 species, including jabiru storks, the largest flying bird in the Americas, as well as black-bellied whistling ducks and black-billed storks. Crooked Tree is home to a living community of approximately 900, mainly of Creole descent, a vital community with an interesting history who have been farming and fishing the land for centuries.

As well as the spectacular Altun Ha, dating from the 7th Century, and Lamanai, or ‘submerged crocodile’, one of Belize’s most impressive Mayan sites, there is Cuella, the oldest Mayan site in Belize. Set on private land, you must gain permission from a Cuello family to visit this impotant site. The vast archaeological site of Nohmu also offers spectacular views over the area and its endless sugar canes.

Orange Walk is home to a great many Mennonite Communities and El Castillo, a Mayan site 25 miles north of Caracol. Gallon Jug is another of the region’s attractions - a huge private reserve home to numerous wildlife species and several farming projects, including coffee, soybean and cattle.

Explore Mayan ruins, track vibrant wildlife and meet the local people.