If you've ever dreamed of staying right on nature's doorstep, with the flora, fauna and wildlife you're not going to get any closer than this.

Belize Lodge and Excursions’ (BLE) Ballum Na (House of the Jaguar) offers its guests an chance to stay in the comfort and safety of their beds, while live Jaguars prowl the jungle floor below.

Ballum Na is BLE's fourth lodge and its main attraction -- and only long-term tenants – is a set of adult jaguars that guests can observe.

The lodge is located two miles south of BLE's Indian Creek Lodge, and is set in an exotic jungle habitat that’s home to two male jaguars, Bosch and Xupi. The brothers were born in captivity and now live in a habitat that encompasses 2.1 acres of jungle.

They were part of a captive-breeding program and were about to be sent to a zoo in Mexico when Kenneth Karas, founder of BLE, stepped in and now the pair will inhabit a 2.5-acre sanctuary, complete with pool, located in the middle of the accommodations.

Explaining BLE’s philosophy, Karas says:

“Ballum Na is part of a wildlife program of rescue, rehabilitation and re-introduction. This is a better way to educate people – not in a zoo setting, but in a natural setting. And, it is a way to restore this natural habitat through sound wildlife- and forest-resource management practices.”

The lodge itself features master and junior suites on the second floor; a private restaurant and bar, along with decks and a canopied walkway overlooking the jaguar enclosure, Boden Creek and Parrot Falls on the third floor; and an observation deck offering views in every direction is found on the fourth floor.

Guests have their own personal executive chef, as well as a waiter and private butler.

The properties of BLE are scattered among its privately-operated 14,000 acre Boden Creek Nature Reserve. The reserve is situated within a 600,000 acre protected area and National Park system.

Says Karas:

“We will always preserve the integrity of the experience surrounded by these protected areas. By employing indigenous peoples in our company, we are helping to create local jobs and protect some of the local Mayan culture. We offer a place for local people to use their inherent knowledge of nature and wildlife in a way that preserves the culture.”

IF YOU GO:

Belize Lodge & Excursions four exclusive and distinctive lodges, offer three to nine night all-inclusive packages that include local ground and marine transfers; luxury lodging at any of four locations: Indian Creek Lodge, Ballum Na Suites, Jungle Camp and Moho Cay Lodge; all meals; excursions; entrance fees; local taxes; and guides.

The company also offers carefully selected and designed all-inclusive overland tour packages to many other destinations in Belize that can be combined or taken separately with a trip to their southern group of lodges.

Visit www.belizelodge.com for more.