Our trip began flying into Belize city where we were met by Adventure Life ground crew and transported by car to Orange Walk. From here we were picked up by a boat and taken to Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Lamanai translates to ''submerged crocodile''. Our boat journey was 22 miles up river and filled with sunshine and fantastic animal sightings such as crocodiles, exotic birds and a tree lined with camouflaged resting bats.
After arriving we settled into our cabin and my son who is 10, began taking videos of the local monkeys. He was especially taken by the very boisterous alpha monkey and his 3 little babies. They lived in the tree right outside our cabin. My husband and I found our way up to the restaurant where they greeted us with home made potato soup and fresh rolls. Perfect after a long journey originating in Newark, NJ.
Later that evening we met with our guide, Mauricio, and journeyed on a night hike complete with headlamps and plenty of bug spray. This hike was quite exciting as we saw a tarantella and spiders with eye shine. I never knew that what looked like a silver carpet of ground covering were actually, spider eyes glaring at us. We were amazed!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.