Welcome to Belize. Home of the Mayans, home of the elusive jaguar and the feared fer-de-lance, the most dangerous snake in all of Central America.
Allow me to introduce you to the tiny village of Scotland Halfmoon (pop. <500). Scotland Halfmoon is situated in the middle of an experimental grass roots conservation program called "The Community Baboon Sanctuary". The Baboon Sanctuary is located 30 miles west of Belize City. <click here for map> What makes this conservation program so special is that it is dependent upon the cooperation of private landowners. Eight villages along the Belize River make up the sanctuary. The Community Baboon Sanctuary was established in 1985 to protect one of the few healthy black howler monkey population in Central America. "Baboon" is the local name for the black howler monkey. The black howler monkey is an endangered species which has a very limited range including, Belize, southern Mexico and isolated areas of Guatemala. It is one of six howler monkey species found in Central and South America. The howling is one of the loudest animal noises to be heard in the rainforest of Belize. The howling can be heard from 2 - 3 miles away. Black howler monkeys are territorial and live in troops of 4 - 8 members. Their territories range from 3 to 25 acres. Fortunately, the sanctuary has been a tremendous success, and black howlers can be seen and heard every where.
Located in Scotland Halfmoon, on the Belize River is M & H River Camp. M & H River Camp is owned and operated by Mel and Hilda Hendy. The river camp is part of a 62 acre farm. Mel and Hilda excel at making their guests feel comfortable. Be prepared to be treated like family when you visit. The farm raises cattle, horses, sheep, chickens and turkey. Crops such as corn, rice, papaya, plantain, coconut and cocoa yams are also planted. Except for the river, the farm is completely surrounded on 3 sides by lush rainforest. Troops of black howlers can be heard and seen all around the camp, at all hours of the day. The camp has two newly renovated cabanas which include electricity, flush toilets, small kitchen & tile floor. The cabanas are also bug proof. The camp also has a shaded common center. Explore or relax, horse back riding, canoeing, fishing, bird and monkey watching are at there finest. River tours and hiking tours are also available.
Animals of interest that have been spotted on or near the farm include jaguar, tapir, 9 banded armadillo, peccaries, coatimundi, manatee, jabiru storks, collared aracari (species of toucan), hawks, vultures, parrots, morelets crocodile, fer-de-lance snake, boa constrictor, iguanas, spiny tail iguanas , central american river turtle (locally known as the Hickatee), and red eye tree frogs.
For those who know me, know that Belize is my true home. My first trip was back in 1997 and then in 1998. I went back in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2003 I purchased a house. 700 sq ft, with main bedroom, living room, spare room, kitchen, bathroom (with flush toilet and heated shower head). The house is on a 3/4 acre lot, surveyed from the main farm (M & H River Camp). The lot has many trees on it, orange, sweet lime, cashew, dwarf coconut, cohune palm, a huge tubroos and a prized bread fruit tree to name a few. Belizean Red Rump Tarantulas, scorpions, tree frogs and assorted bugs and army ants always seem to make their way into the house at one time or another. Spiny Tail Iguanas, coral snakes (venomous) and killer bees have also taken up residence on the property at one time or another. The mornings are alive with singing and calls from numerous variety of birds and parrots. Hawks and monkey can be heard through out the afternoon. Early evening brings back the flocks of parrots. Tree frogs, toads and assorted insects call all night long. Every day brings new sights and sounds. You may contact me for general information on visiting M & H River Camp and Belize in general.
Halfmoon is situated in the middle of an experimental grass roots conservation program called "The Community Baboon Sanctuary". The Baboon Sanctuary is located 30 miles west of Belize City. 
owned and operated by Mel and Hilda Hendy. The river camp is part of a 62 acre farm. Mel and Hilda excel at making their guests feel comfortable. Be prepared to be treated like family when you visit. The farm raises cattle, horses, sheep, chickens and turkey. Crops such as corn, rice, papaya, plantain, coconut and cocoa yams are also planted. Except for the river, the farm is completely surrounded on 3 sides by lush rainforest. Troops of black howlers can be heard and seen all around the camp, at all hours of the day. The camp has two newly renovated cabanas which include electricity, flush toilets, small kitchen & tile floor. The cabanas are also bug proof. The camp also has a shaded common center. Explore or relax, horse back riding, canoeing, fishing, bird and monkey watching are at there finest. River tours and hiking tours are also available.
then in 1998. I went back in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2003 I purchased a house. 700 sq ft, with main bedroom, living room, spare room, kitchen, bathroom (with flush toilet and heated shower head). The house is on a 3/4 acre lot, surveyed from the main farm (M & H River Camp). The lot has many trees on it, orange, sweet lime, cashew, dwarf coconut, cohune palm, a huge tubroos and a prized bread fruit tree to name a few. Belizean Red Rump Tarantulas, scorpions, tree frogs and assorted bugs and army ants always seem to make their way into the house at one time or another. Spiny Tail Iguanas, coral snakes (venomous) and killer bees have also taken up residence on the property at one time or another. The mornings are alive with singing and calls from numerous variety of birds and parrots. Hawks and monkey can be heard through out the afternoon. Early evening brings back the flocks of parrots. Tree frogs, toads and assorted insects call all night long. Every day brings new sights and sounds. You may contact me for general information on visiting M & H River Camp and Belize in general.