Rooted in Nature, Adventure Lived.
Welcome to Belize Jungle Life! I’m excited to invite you to join me on this personal journey of the adventure of living in the jungles of Belize. Through my blog, I share my adventures and experiences of living the jungle lifestyle—immersed in a jungle, while encountering incredible wildlife like jaguars, howler monkeys, and boa constrictors, and discovering the magic of nature every day.
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About
My website
Welcome to Safari Arie, where I share my life and adventures living in the jungles of Belize.
This website began as a place to document my epic bike ride from Canada to the bottom of Argentina. I made it about halfway before life steered me toward another dream — living fully in Belize’s jungle.
Ideally, a website has a single focus to attract a specific audience, but mine is a little different. My main focus is life in the Belize jungle, capturing the daily adventures, challenges, and lessons that come with it. As a result, the site covers a mix of subjects and themes, including:
➡️ Jungle lifestyle guides — practical tips to help others live in the Belize jungle.
➡️ Day-to-day life in Belize — documenting the real struggles and joys of jungle living.
➡️ Belize flora and fauna — fascinating wildlife and nature I encounter.
➡️ Bike ride adventures — my 26,000 km journey across Canada, the US, and Mexico to reach Belize.
➡️ Bike touring guides — advice and insights for long-distance cycling enthusiasts.
➡️ Personal reflections — journaling on life, philosophy, and wisdom.
➡️ Poetry — expressions of emotion inspired by life’s experiences.
Expanding on these categories
Jungle Lifestyle
Living four years in the Belize jungle has taught me countless lessons about calling this place home. I’ve recently created detailed guides and instructional posts on living in the jungles of Belize, covering everything from practical survival tips to lifestyle insights. Jungle living isn’t easy, but if you feel drawn to it, these posts will give you a realistic glimpse into what life here is truly like.
Life in Belize
My first visit to Belize was in 1997, and I fell in love immediately. Later, I bought a house in the Community Baboon Sanctuary in 2003, and today I live on a 42-acre farm in the village of Scotland Halfmoon. Every day brings new adventures, and I strive to capture them through detailed blogs and photography — showing the real-life experiences of living in Belize.
Belize – Flora and Fauna
Every day in Belize brings encounters with incredible wildlife — from familiar creatures to ones I’ve never seen before. Sometimes my best photos get lost among hundreds taken each month, or I forget a creature’s identification over time. This page serves as a centralized reference for Belize’s flora and fauna, showcasing my favorite photos and providing easy identification for the unique wildlife I encounter.
2019–2021 Bike Ride
On November 12, 2019, I began an epic journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland, biking 12,340 kilometres across Canada during the 2019–20 winter and Covid-19 lockdowns. I then biked nearly 8,000 kilometres through the USA along the Pacific Coast and Southwest, before completing another 6,000 kilometres through Mexico to arrive in Chetumal, and finally at my home in Belize on November 25, 2021. These posts document my full 26,000-kilometre bike adventure, sharing challenges, discoveries, and lessons along the way.
Bike and Camping
From the 26,000-kilometre journey, I’ve gained valuable insights about bike touring, long-distance travel, and camping in diverse environments. Here I share comprehensive bike touring guides and adventure tips, covering gear, preparation, and real-life experiences on the road.
Personal Journaling and Reflections
This category is a work in progress. I explore my inner thoughts, reflections on life, and personal philosophies, often inspired by quotes of wisdom. Some posts ask difficult questions and provide raw insights — not all answers are neat, but they offer a window into my personal journey and life lessons.
Poetry
My poetry flows naturally from emotion — observation, loss, pain, or reflection. These poems are personal, rarely shared on social media, and are not a cry for help; they are simply a form of self-expression. Here, I share pieces that reveal moments of thought, feeling, and inspiration from my life.
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Whether you’re curious about jungle life, bike touring, or personal reflection, Safari Arie is my attempt to share my experiences honestly and inspiringly — and to offer a glimpse into a life less ordinary.
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For better or worse, this is the story of Arie.
Who is Arie Hoogerbrugge?
Born May 18, 1973, Arie was raised in a middle-class family in the small town of Grimsby, Ontario, Canada, alongside two younger brothers.
Arie is a mix of contradictions and passions — a thinker and risk-taker, introverted yet adventurous, mindful yet stubborn. Some words that capture who he is:
Christian, introverted, passionate, socially awkward, alone in the world, broken inside, adventure seeker, organized, farmer, lover of beauty, mindful, complicated, reptile and amphibian enthusiast, freedom-first, unorthodox, podcast lover, accountable, poet, generally misunderstood, tree lover, minimalist, conscious, entrepreneurial, impatient, hard worker, blogger, single, old-fashioned, ex-truck driver, cheap Dutchman, loyal, serious, goal-oriented, cyclist, romantic, photographer, fussy eater, neat freak… and someone who has learned from many failures and regrets.
Thanks for stopping by.
Arie
“May your greatest dreams and goals be ahead of you; not behind you.”
Stay in touch
Belize Jungle Lifestyle Guides & Content
Belize River Canoe Adventure – Post #1 – May 23 to 24, 2024
On May 23, 2024, Jamie Madrill (from the village) and I embarked on a 300+ kilometer canoe adventure from the Macal River in San Ignacio to all the way down the Belize River to Haulover Creek,...
San Pedro – Part 1 (Oct 10 & 11, 2023)
After a grueling 5 months, finally finishing my greenhouse floor and about 9 months since my last vacation, I decided I had earned one. This vacation was a little different. I was determined to...
An internet connection story
I have recently included this post as part of my jungle lifestyle category, not so much because you, the reader, can expect the same internet installation experience, but eventually you will...
Recent Blogs:
Belize Part 165 (May 7 to 19)
May 7 Life in the jungle: First thing, I headed down the road and finished yesterday's chopping off. A heavy equipment company is coming in a week, and I want to make sure the road is 100% ready...
Belize Part 164 (April 30 to May 6)
A Malachite butterfly April 30 Life in the jungle: First thing, I mixed half a bag of cement to make more patio stones, and then moved on to painting the new cabana. After lunch, I went back to...
🚴♂️ Are You Planning Your First Bike Tour? – Let’s Talk 🚴♂️
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the unknowns of your first bike trip, my first-time bike touring consulting can help you plan, prepare, and ride with confidence. Are you… ❓ Anxious about planning...
Belize Part 163 (April 22 to 29)
My most current project is recently framing a building a small cabana on the farm. April 22 Life in the jungle: First thing, I moved cement mix for the greenhouse floor expansion as I was waiting...
Belize Part 162 (April 14 to 21)
Back in March, I built a small 10ft x 12ft cabana. For now, Andy will end up using the cabana for his hot sauce kitchen. April 14 Life in the jungle: I did a little chicken coop cleaning first...
🌴 Thinking of Moving to Belize or Living in the Jungle? 🌴
My moving to Belize and the jungle consulting and coaching is designed to help you navigate the challenges of relocation with more confidence, clarity, and firsthand insight. You Might Be Wondering…...