Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

The entrance to Machaca Hill's main lodge

Machaca's certified guides (l-r):
Wilfred Mutrie, Roberto Echeverri and
Hugo Panti

A newly-refurbished tree house, one of 12 guest accommodations

with Theresa Storm
08APR09

“Wild” Opening Of Belize’s Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge

In the deep, dark jungle night, I awoke, alone in the mosquito-net enshrouded bed of my luxurious “tree house”, every hair raised in full alert.

“What the heck is that?”

Lying still, I listened, deciding the noises outside the screened-in veranda were like a horror movie sound track or perhaps a wild, animalistic porn flick.

Joining a handpicked group of travel colleagues from Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. at breakfast, Machaca Hill’s new general manager Brian Gardiner and wife Jane confirmed the denizens of the night are howler monkeys (wonder how they got their name?).

Their vocal welcome fittingly kicked off the soft reopening of this chic all-inclusive eco-retreat in the private 11,000-acre Laughing Falcon Reserve, just five miles north of Punta Gorda in Belize’s southernmost Toledo district, one hour by small plane from Belize City.

Gardiner, who hails from Zimbabwe and has more than 20 years managing African eco-luxury safari camps, was appointed last fall by Outpost International to revamp the former fishing camp.

He has already made significant inroads, including renovating and refurbishing the 12 tree houses, employing former colleague Executive Chef Ken
Gundu, and introducing open-air Land Rovers and African safari-type land and water eco-activities led by certified resident guides, all included in the rate.

During the celebratory opening night, Gardiner proudly unveiled the just-finished stunning new spa, featuring a glass wall overlooking the jungle valley.

A grand re-opening, with all the upgrades in place, will follow November 1.