Activities at duPlooy's Jungle Lodge
There are many activities to enjoy right
on the property at duPlooy's; so if you'd
rather not travel a long distance, stay
with us for the day - and have just as much
fun.
 Birding
Professional bird watchers are always coming
to duPlooy's and telling us that we have
the best location for bird watching in the
area.
Join our resident
bird guide each morning on the deck
for complimentary coffee and tea and
you will see such exotic birds as:
motmots, aracari and toucans, trogons,
tanagers, parrots and many more.
With over 300 bird species recorded
within five miles of duPlooy's, it
is worth getting up for, whether you
are a dedicated birder adding to your
life list, a beginner who's never
seen a bird before, or just someone
who enjoys the tropical scenery.
Our Guided Bird Walks, starting at 6.30am, and Night Walks, starting at 7.30pm are fascinating wildlife experiences. The walks are for either one or two hours and should be booked in advance. See rates.
For more info about birding at duPlooy's,
in the Cayo district, and around Belize,
see our comprehensive Belize Birding section.
 Trails
Head down
to the river and look out for a trail
on your left, just before you get
to the beach. This path will take
you along the river and end in the
Belize Botanic Gardens. From here
either exit back to the hotel or backtrack
along the river. If you are just using
the botanic gardens to exit the trail
you don't have to pay the (very reasonable)
entrance fee, but if you enjoy any
part of the walk out we encourage
you to put it on your bill as it is
a worthwhile conservation project
that appreciates your help!
While roaming you will definitely
see birds but you might see other
visitors as well. At the end of the
canopy-walk several iguanas have taken
up residence and you can watch them
lounging on tree branches. Grey-foxes,
armadillos or gibnuts can be spotted
on an early morning or evening prowl
on the grounds or in BBG. A tapir
(Belize's national animal) was twice
seen strolling by La Casita and a
kinkajou (extremely cute animal),
is often seen in the summer evenings
evening right off the deck.
 The Macal River
Be sure to
wander down to the beach for a gander
at the cliffs and river (use steps
in front of the kitchen). Swimming
from the beach there is a wonderful
way to spend some time. Canoes and inner tubes are available for use by guests around the property, free of charge. Remember, it is a river, not
a pool, so if its been raining a lot
or has been too dry, it may not be the oasis
you were hoping for. Use common sense
precaution and do not swim if the
current is very swift and/or trees
are floating downstream with small
mammals clinging to them.
 Massage
What better
way to end the day or spend the day?
After a day in the saddle or scaling
Mayan ruins you may want to book a
massage, facial or other body treatment
in the office. Try to arrange the
day before but if you forget or find
yourself in urgent need we can sometimes
arrange a massage with just a few
hours notice. Go to the bar at the
time of your massage and the masseuse
will come and take you to the palapa.
A sarong is the recommended attire
but wear whatever is comfortable for
you.
Belize Botanic Gardens
While you are here, visit the garden. The
(tiny) fee charged covers unlimited entrances
during your stay and there isn't a lovelier
place to stroll in the early evening or
morning. Inside the garden is a Maya medicine
trail, native orchid house, a bird blind
on the pond, lots of tropical fruits and
flowers, a rainforest walk, palms and lots
more tropical splendor.
 The entrance
to Belize Botanic Gardens (BBG) includes
a map of the garden and all the plants
are labeled but if you want more information
there are a few ways to see the garden.
We have self-guided tour booklets
one is a Maya medicinal trail and
the other is a general garden walk.
You can take a guided walk, focusing
on either of these subjects or you
can let your guide know if you have
a particular area of interest. All tours last about
1 - 2 hours depending on your interest.
We don't carry on about the garden just
for kicks. Botanic gardens are important
resources for the preservation of biodiversity
and excellent arenas for conservation education.
Belize Botanic Gardens is no exception.
As part of the Botanic Gardens for Conservation
International (BGCI) and Caribbean Botanic
Gardens for Conservation (CBGC) the BBG
staff work to promote conservation and conservation
education through many projects. Ken duPlooy,
the garden founder, has been awarded international
recognition for his contribution to biodiversity
for creating Belize Botanic Gardens.
To learn more
about the Belize Botanic Gardens visit
the official website at www.belizebotanic.org
Support our education program! Help a Belizean class take a field
trip to Belize Botanic Gardens: it
is a mere $2.00 a kid. Many Belizean
schools are understaffed and overflowing
and there isn't much money for transportation
or field trip opportunities. You can
also sponsor an educational presentation
right at school for $65US, for kids
that can't make it to the gardens.
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