Shipstern Conservation Area

Shipstern covers around a hundred square kilometres in the northeastern corner of Belize, protecting a mixture of semi-deciduous hardwood forest, saline lagoon and mangrove that is quite different from the wet forests further south. The bird list is long and the butterfly list longer, past two hundred species, and the reserve was originally funded partly by a butterfly breeding operation. Jaguars, pumas and all five Belizean cats occur, along with the country's largest concentration of some hardwood species. A botanical trail identifies trees by their Maya and Creole names, and an observation tower overlooks the lagoon.

The landscape

• The lagoon tower - over the saline lagoon and its waterbirds.
• The botanical trail - hardwoods labelled with Maya and Creole names.
• Butterflies - over two hundred species recorded.
• The semi-deciduous forest - a drier forest type than the Belizean south.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Early morning is best for birds and for the tower. The reserve is quiet and guided walks need arranging, generally through the reserve office or from Sarteneja village.

Good to know

It is a long way from anywhere, three hours from Belize City with the last stretch on rough road, and it sees very few visitors. Facilities are basic and guides must be arranged. Mosquitoes near the lagoon are severe. Cats occur but are effectively never seen. Hurricane damage in past decades opened up parts of the forest.

Nearby

Sarteneja village is nearby; Corozal is two hours west.