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Crooked Tree
Wildlife Sanctuary

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a national protected area of natural wetlands. At the center of this beautiful wildlife refuge lies the Village of Crooked Tree. Crooked Tree Village was established circa 1750 as one of the first Kriol (Creole) communities in Belize. Crooked Tree is home to approximately 1,400 people and some 300+ types of birds, as well as a wide variety of aquatic and land-dwelling animals and myriad plant species; among these several thousands cashew and mango trees.

Crooked Tree Village

Crooked Tree Village is located on an island at the center of the sanctuary.
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Crooked Tree Village & Wildlife Sanctuary
Crooked Tree Village was established around 1750 as a logwood camp, it is one of the earliest known European settlements in Belize. With a estimated population of 1,400, Crooked Tree retains its Kriol culture, flavor and atmosphere. Crooked Tree has long been recognized for its cashew products, its adherence to the Kriol language and traditions and as a popular destination for nature lovers and birders from around the world.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately a 36,479 acre landscape of wetlands, savannas, lagoons and creeks and was established as a protected area in 1984. The high wetlands value of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is highlighted by its designation as a RAMSAR site in 1998 – as a wetland of international importance – recognized for providing critical habitat for both migratory and local bird species, with a shallow water system that is especially important for the wetland birds, including the Jabiru Stork, the largest flying bird in the Americas, with wingspans reaching 8 to 10 feet and one of the only two members of the Stork family in Central America. Wildlife Sanctuary is co-managed by Belize Audubon Society and the Belize Forest Department.
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Jabiru Stork
Cooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
This world of wonder is composed of a huge tract of land that’s peppered with creeks, thickets, marshlands, lagoons and savannas amid a hardwood forest that provides unique habitats for wildlife living in this protected preserve. The variety of animals and birds hanging out in this forest is astonishing; you could even encounter the hemisphere’s largest flying birds: Other-worldly looking Jabiru Storks. Just about everything that crawls, prowls, slithers and roams in Belize is at home here, including black howler monkeys, turtles, iguanas, ducks, crocodiles and too many bird species to get an accurate count.

Why Should You Visit Cooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary?
How often are you given an opportunity to visit a 300-year-old, 16,400 acre wildlife sanctuary that, some experts believe, may have been the first European settlement to have been built in Belize around 1750? There’s a small Mayan excavation site in the southwest corner of the Western Lagoon, so if you’re interested in how archaeologists work, you might catch a glimpse of Chan Hiix as it’s being revealed. Birders are particularly impressed by so many avian species found in here, and anyone interested in botany will discover vegetation, plants and flowers not seen elsewhere in the region.

Where in Belize is it located?
Crooked Tree is located approximately 32 miles north of Belize City.
Best Way to Experience Crooked Tree?
Rent a canoe. Ride a horse. Trek into the preserve on your own or hire a guide at the visitor’s center. The Belize Audubon Society oversees this park and charges modest fees to cover any of these options. Once you’ve settled on one (or more), set off on your adventure knowing that every place you peek under this forest canopy lurks a creature you might hear but never see. The best way to experience Crooked Tree? Stay in nearby eco-lodgings (four small hotels and three guest houses) so you are immersed in all aspects of the park and get a peek at Crooked Tree Village. Stop first at the visitor center for everything from trail maps to boat rentals and you’re ready to explore.
When is the best time of year to visit?
This question is best answered by determining your objectives since birds and animals visit at specific times. If observing giant storks is your aim, they show up in November, build nests in January or February and then hang around raising youngsters until June. Find the most number of birds within the park in April, so if you can get here that month, your chances of seeing Crooked Tree’s diversity are better than most.
Best is the Best Way to Get to the Sanctuary?
If you’re driving on your own, take the Northern Highway from Belize City until you reach Mile 33, a dirt road leading to Crooked Tree. Alternately, the Orange Walk/Corozal bus will drop you two miles from your target destination and you can walk there. Alternately, book a tour from all points in Belize courtesy of your resort concierge and they will take care of all arrangements including transport and perhaps a picnic.

The Wetlands

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Why Are The Wetlands At Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Important to Belize?
This wetland system is important not only for birds and other wildlife, but also vital to the people of Belize, especially to the many communities downstream; particularly in Belize City because of its function in absorbing much of the run-off carried by the Belize River. The boundaries of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (CTWS) enclose a dynamic patchwork of permanent and seasonally shallow freshwater lagoons, swamps, marshes, and stream and river reaches.

These wetlands and lagoons can become very shallow, with some water bodies drying up completely in the dry season (March to May). In the wet season water level rises significantly, particularly when the Belize River is in flood stage, with wetlands around the margins of the lagoons extending far into the savanna landscape.

However, agricultural encroachment is occurring along the western edge of the Western Lagoon and the Northern end of CTWS that connects with the New River Watershed, a very important hydrological corridor. As a result, both hydrological and ecological functions of this lagoon system have been affected. In addition, Crooked Tree continues to be threatened by global and regional climate change, invasive species and other human activities.

The Birds

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Why is Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary a Top Birding Spot for the Entire Country of Belize?
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top birding spots for the entire country of Belize, because of the wetlands which can be found here.  This is a birdwatcher’s dream.  There is 14,763 acres of waterways, logwood swamps and lagoon, to  provide a habitat for a diverse array of resident and migratory birds.

While on your boat ride tour, or if you are wandering on the boardwalks, watch for some of the 330 different species of birds which have been recorded here. Since 1998, it was declared Belize’s first RAMSAR Site in recognition of its international importance for waterbirds. During the dry season; usually from November to May, thousands of birds congregate here, with migrants finding a safe resting spot on their spring migration back to the north. During the winter season, other migrants can be seen in the area as well.

Among the variety of birds that have been recorded in Crooked Tree, the following species are those of conservation concern or heavily depend of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the surrounding forests for their survival. The top groups of birds of interest are the Parrots (especially the endangered Yellow-headed Parrot), Storks (the magnificent Jabiru Stork), Snail Kite, Rails, Roseate Spoonbill and the elusive Agami Heron.
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For Visitors
Please kindly come in the Visitor Center (Belize Audubon Society CTWS Office) located at the entrance of Crooked Tree Village and buy the entrance ticket for the Wildlife Sanctuary. You can check the location in the map below.
Hours of Operation8:00am – 4:30pm everyday
Entrance Fee:  Nationals: BZ $2.50
Non-Nationals: BZ $8.00
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Birdwatching by Boat

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Birdwatching by Boat - 6:00 AM is the optimal time to start in order to find the most birds and enjoy the cooler temperatures.  Crooked Tree is a birder’s paradise. An estimated 330 bird species; both migratory and resident, make Crooked Tree their seasonal or permanent homes. And the Birding Boat Tour is the highlight of bird watching for beginners through to experts. You’ll see and hear raptors, warblers, rails, storks, woodpeckers, herons and many others, including Jabiru Stork, Northern Jacana, Roseate Spoonbill, Yucatan Jay, Snail kite, Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Yellow-headed Parrot, etc. Experienced tour guides will find them and report/explain the appearance, habitat, migration patterns and seasonal activities of all the birds you see. And don’t be surprised if, in addition to the birds, you see some other forms of wildlife. Crocodiles, howler monkeys, iguanas, deer, peccary, otters, gibnut, sloths and quashes are out there, too.

Guided Bird Walk

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Guided Birding Walk - Guided Birding Walk gives you an opportunity to learn about not only the birds but also animals and plants of Crooked Tree and open your senses to nature.  Experienced and knowledgeable local guides with sharp eyes will help you identify each flora and fauna and explain about them with local stories.  Early morning, evening or night is recommended time, while starting time or duration is all depending on you. You will be guided but still free.  Bringing your own binoculars is highly recommended, but if you don’t have it please don’t hesitate to ask your guide in advance when you book. you may be able to rent one. You can book in your accommodations in Crooked Tree or tour companies in Belize.  Check out some birds that can be seen in Crooked Tree Wild Life Sanctuary from the button below!

Cashew & Mango Picking

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Cashew & Mango Picking Tour - This is a seasonal tour
This is a valuable opportunity to taste raw cashew fruits, the biggest specialty fruits in Crooked Tree Village, as well as fresh mangoes and many kinds of cashew and mango homemade products including cashew nuts roasted in the traditional and labor-intensive way, which taste much sweeter than the steamed ones that are mostly eaten in the world.

Ms. Vange, the garden owner, will tell you about this village, people’s life with cashews and mangoes, the traditional way of cashew nuts processing, etc. After the explanation of how to pick fruits, enjoy picking and eating as many cashews and mangoes as you’d like. You can take a maximum of 5 cashews or mangoes (or mix of them) that you picked to home. Her yard is clean and vast enough to enjoy exploring, watching flowers and birds.

At last, you can buy homemade products such as jam, ice cream, dried fruits, and, of course, can eat them in her lovely home, chatting with Ms. Vange.  Cashews usually start to harvest from mid Apr to June, on the other hand, mangoes start from May to June. But that spans change every year depending on weather condition. Please make sure that the timing is appropriate (normally from mid April to end of June) and call Ms. Vange to book at least 1 day before you come.

Garden Tours

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Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Garden Tours - This tour will walk you through a beautiful garden, Good News Acres, with more than 50 species of fruits, flowers, herbs, etc. – examples; cashews, mangoes, coconuts, rose apple, soursop, craboo, black berry, sorrel, locust, cohune palm, bougainvillea, african tulip, moringa, noni.  Ms. Vange, the garden owner and the nature lover, will tell you about this village, people’s life, nature, etc., then you will explore in her clean and vast garden with explanations of each flora, where you can also enjoy watching birds.

You could buy homemade products such as jam, dried fruits, while stocks last, and of course, you can eat them in her lovely home, chatting with Ms. Vange. Everything is 100% organic and delicious.  In the Cashews and/or Mangoes season, which is usually from mid Apr to June, you can also enjoy Cashew & Mango Picking that allows you to pick and eat as many cashews and mangoes as you’d like! That spans change every year depending on weather condition.

Cooking Classes

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Ava's Cooking Classes - Ava’s Cooking Class offers a unique cooking experience of traditional Belizean cuisine in a welcoming village environment with abundant nature.  The class typically starts at 9:00 ~ 10:00 am with Mrs. Ava’s introduction and explanation about the flow of this cooking class, while you have welcoming coffee. Mrs. Ava then shows how to cook cuisines, using ingredients mainly from her yard such as chicken and coconuts.

After washing hands, you take turns to cook some parts of the meal by yourself under her kind instruction and enjoyable chatting. After that, you can enjoy your meal over a sit-down lunch at her veranda together. This is not only the opportunity to taste and learn delicious Belizean meal but also to enjoy chatting with a nice Belizean local lady and feel Belizean hospitality. 

You could also enjoy exploring in her vast and unique yard where sheep, pigs, turkeys, chickens, dogs, cats, etc. are wandering. This will also make you see the real Belizean country life!  Recipe will be provided after cooking.  Please make sure to call Mrs. Ava to book at least 2 days before you come.  Maximum participants are 10.

Bicycle Rentals

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Bicycle Rentals - Discover your favorite scenery of Crooked Tree at your own pace.  Bicycle rental would dramatically expand the range of your exploration and make you feel the cool wind and the nature more.  Stop a while for birding, take photographs and try to talk with local people, which is going to be a good memory.  Prices and choices of the bicycles (beach cruiser, mountain bike, etc.) depend on each lodge. Please contact them for further information.

Canoe Rental

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Canoe Rentals - Canoe Rental is a perfect leisurely outdoor activity for novices and a family to explore waterways in Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.  Canoeing can either be a useful transportation to watch birds and other wildlife or a relaxing experience in the quiet beautiful atmosphere.  Early morning or just before sunset is the recommended timing.

Horseback Riding

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Horseback Riding - Horseback riding is one of the best way to discover and explore nature with a sense of timeless freedom and exhilaration. Experienced guides will take you on a relaxed horseback ride into the secret trails where lots of birds and abundant flora live. You will also see and feel the village life when you go through the village roads. Early morning or evening time when you feel a breath fresh air is the best timing, although you can arrange a time whenever you want.  Beginners are always welcome.

Trail Walking

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Trail Walking - Enjoy a dazzling sunrise by the lagoon and a symphony of bird songs as you explore our network of rustic trails at your own pace. We recommend an early morning trail walking as a great way to start any day (Just before the sunset is cool and beautiful timing as well). Bringing your camera and binoculars will make your walking more fun. There is a community map below that helps you find the public walking trails in the village and plan how to explore Crooked Tree. You can download the PDF map by clicking the image. It’s all free to enjoy the old village scene and the natural beauty of Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary!  If you want to get more information of birds & other wildlife, food-yielding & medicinal plants and local culture & history, we recommend taking a guided birding tour with Crooked Tree Village.  An experienced and knowledgeable local guide will assist you to learn the nature, find the birds and have fun!

Crooked Tree Museum

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Crooked Tree Musueum - The Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center is a community educational organization committed to sharing the deep history of the lower Belize River Watershed. Our mission is to collect, display, study, and exhibit material culture that tells the rich stories that comprise this history in order to advance knowledge and understanding of the people that have shaped Belize over time. This history extends over 10,000 years, from the Palaeoindian and ancient Maya times to the more recent historic period including the rich history and culture of the Kriol (Creole), whose descendants continue to live in this area today.  Exhibits are both informative and interactive, making it a fun experience for kids and an unforgettable experience for adults. Want to learn more about the deep history of the lower Belize River Watershed? Plan your visit today to the Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center!

History of Crooked Tree Village

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History of Crooked Tree Village - Crooked Tree Village, in the Belize District, is a community of over 1,000 inhabitants. Established as a logging community, Crooked Tree was settled almost 300 years ago. The timber cutters reached the area by way of the Belize River, Black Creek and Spanish Creek. The early settlers, the Tillett’s, Gillett’s, Crawford’s and Cadle’s were of English and Scottish origin and arrived with their African slaves.

Crooked Tree Village is actually an island. This village of large trees homestead is surrounded by Revenge Lagoon, Western Lagoon and Spanish Creek. The little island appealed to our forefathers, and they established a tiny permanent encampment there. According to legend, one of the Tillett’s noted a large twisted bullet wood tree in the area of the settlement and thus the village got the curious name of Crooked Tree.

Over 100 years ago the Baptist Mission started a church and school in the village. The Nazarene Mission later established a church and a health center. The village now boasts a primary school, a government sponsored  hearth clinic, hotels and guest-houses, restaurants, commercial bus service, cable TV and an independent water board.

There are several ways to reach this unique village. During the rainy season, one can take a boat from Belize City travelling up the Belize River, then into Black Creek and Spanish Creek. By road one can travel along the Phillip Goldson Highway, detouring to the west near mile 31 onto a 3 mile feeder road where you will be charmed by a half-mile causeway across a sky-blue lagoon welcoming you into the village.

The village is almost an Eden of fruits, specializing in thousands of cashew trees. The inhabitants are agriculturist, rearing cattle and growing rice, corn and ground foods. Fish and game abound in the area of Crooked Tree. Village life is quiet, sports are popular and the cool pine ridge and lagoon air engenders a healthy environment where sickness is rare. One year of assessment shows that 45 people were born in the village and only 6 died.

In 1983, Crooked Tree Village was declared a National Wildlife Sanctuary, to be managed by The Belize Audubon Society. This development precipitated some misunderstandings among the villagers, as some of the laws governing the sanctuary were contrary to their traditional ways of life. These laws regulated fishing, hunting, grazing of animals in the wetland areas and clearing of land for Milpa in the buffer zone. It was during these misunderstandings that a gentleman by the name of Tom Grassyy from a tour company called “International Expedition” came up with an idea to try to divert the villagers into a new industry; cashews. In time, this new idea grew into the “Crooked Tree Cashew Festival”. This festival is now an annual event that attracts thousands of Belizeans as well as international visitors. This festival showcases the Kriol culture, its history, village-life, rural artisans, old fashion fire hearth food and a number of locally produced cashew products.

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