Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary by Boat -- Located only 30 miles up the Northern Highway, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a Mecca for nature enthusiasts, especially bird lovers.

Crooked Tree provides a habitat for over 360 species of birds. The majestic Jabiru Stork, the largest bird in the western hemisphere, can be found nesting in these wetlands in addition to other storks, kites and falcons.

The sanctuary, with its large trees, provides a home for black howler monkeys, Morelet's crocodiles, coatimundi and several species of turtles and iguanas.

Jabiru Storks, the largest flying birds in the New World with a wing span of 10-12 feet, also find a home at the sanctuary. Belize has the largest nesting population of these great birds in all of Central America. The storks arrive in November to nest in the lowland pine savannas. Two pairs are known to nest within the sanctuary. After the young fledge and during the months of April and May, the birds from the northern and central parts of Belize congregate at Crooked Tree and Mexico lagoons. When the rains come, the birds leave to return again the following November.

Within the sanctuary is one of the first inland villages--Crooked Tree, established during the logwood era in Belizean history. It has relatively easy accessibility by boat and is famous for its large mango and cashew trees.

There is an abundance of cashew trees here, yielding cashew nuts, cashew wine, and stewed cashew fruit. The village celebrates with an annual Cashew Fest in May. There is food, music, lots of dancing and celebration, and of course, lots of cashews.

Today many of the villagers still engage in traditional small scale farming, livestock rearing, and subsistence farming.

Visitors are asked to observe the following protective rules and regulations:
~ Collection of flora and fauna is prohibited
~ Hunting and fishing are not permitted
~ Please do not litter
~ Firearms are not to be taken into the sanctuary

Please make sure you have long pants, comfortable shoes, light jacket, camera, binoculars and a love for nature!

Participants will be required to walk over uneven ground. There must be a minimum party of 2 people to book this tour. All rates include boat tour, tour guide, park fee and refreshments.

72 HOURS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. Tour includes Belize City hotel pick-up and drop-off. Rates are in US Dollars. Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 800-719-6031.