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Mozambique Birding Adventure
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1 place available!! This short trip to Mozambique has been designed for Richard Rowland, in his quest to reach 7000 species. We will be concentrating on a specific shortlist, which include many of the most sought after Mozambiquan birds! The trip can be done as a fly-in to Beira (Departing 18 November), or a drive in from Johannesburg (Departing 15 November). The latter obviously offers the possibility of some additional species along the way. The exact itinerary will be finalised closer to the time, but is based on the following itinerary: Itinerary SummaryDay 1 (18 November): Fly to Beira On arrival in Beira, at 14:15 - We will head straight out onto the floodplains to the north of the city - afternoon birding in the Rio Savanne area. Our base will be the "parking lot" near Rio Savanne where we will camp. Day 2: (19 Nov) Rio Savanne to Chinizua Full day birding in and around Rio Savanne. This is one of the most exciting birding areas in Mozambique and offers a host of specials. Top of the list are Locust Finch, Blue Quail and Black-rumped Buttonquail, but the area also offers species such as Mangrove Kingfisher, Plain-backed Sunbird, Magpie Mannikin, Red-throated Twinspot, Wattled Crane, Rufous-bellied Heron, Senegal Lapwing and Lesser Seedcracker. In the late afternoon we head for the Msasa Camp near Chinizua Day 3: (20 Nov) Chinizua to Catapu Full day birding in the Chinizua area. Our focus will be on Miombo Woodlands and After early departure - we drive to Chinizua, with excellent birding in the woodlands en route. The road between Dondo and Chinizua is long, but can be very slow as the birding is often so good, particularly on the last leg. This road has offered species such as Yellow-bellied Hyliota, and Speckle-throated Woodpecker, and one can expect to see more common species such as Black-eared Canary, Magpie Mannikin, Short-winged Cisticola and Southern Banded Snake-eagle. Of course there is are a wide variety of woodland birds along this stretch and one may encounter Green-capped Eremomela, Southern Hyliota, or Stierling's Barred-warber amongst others. As one approaches Chinizua, there is very good miombo-type woodland and here one may encounter species such as Cabanis's Bunting, Racket-tailed roller and Violet-backed Sunbird. In the Chinizua River area we search for Lesser Seedcracker and possibly even African Pitta We stay at the new Msasa Camp on the Chinizua River. Day 4 (21 Nov) Catapu The mosaic of lowland forest, riverine forest, thickets and dambos around Chinizua is legendary amongst birders for the variety of birds on offer, which include White-chested Alethe, Red-winged Warbler, Green-backed Honeybird, Lesser Seedcracker, Plain-backed Sunbird, Little Spotted Woodpecker, East coast(Gunnings) Akalat, Barred Longtailed Cuckoo, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Blue Quail, Barred Owl Mozambique (Pale) Batis, Mashona and Yellow-breasted Hyliota, Yellow-breasted Hyliota, Red-throated Twinspot, African Broadbil, Violet-backed Sunbird, Cabanis's Bunting, Black-eared Canary, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Black and White (Vanga) Flycatcher, Livingstones Flycatcher, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Blue-spotted Dove, Pied Mannikin, Eastern Saw-wing, Mascarene Martin, Ayre's Hawk-Eagle, Slender Bubu and Miombo Blue-eared Starling. We spend a full morning in this area before heading north again towards Catapu. Accomodation Mpingwe Camp, Catapu Day 5 (22 Nov) Mt Gorongosa to Catandica Early morning departure for Gorongosa to climb the mountain via the western route. The main target of the climb is of course Green-headed Oriole, but it also offers a variety of other good birds including as Orange-winged Pytilia, Variable Sunbird, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Eastern Saw-wing, Lesser Seedcracker, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Pallid Honeyguide, White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher, Moustached Grass Warbler, Singing Cisticola and Anchieta's Tchagra. In the afternoon after we have descended we travel through to Catandica, so as to allow for more time the following day at Furuncungo. Day 6 (23 Nov) Catandica to Furuncungo We leave early to cross the Zambezi at Tete and travel up to Furunungo area. We spend the afternoon birding in this area where Red-capped Crombec, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Southern Citril, Hildebrandt's Francolin, Shelley's Sunbird, Anchieta's Sunbird, Bertrand's Weaver, Grey-Olive Greenbul, Stierling's Woodpecker, Souza's Shrike and Yellow-bellied Hyliota are all possible. Day 7 (24 Nov) Morning birding in Furuncungo - afternoon drive to Casa Msika This puts us in a good position to bird in the Bvumba the next morning. Day 8 (25 Nov) Casa Msika to Bvumba and day birding in the Eastern Highlands Full day birding in the Vumba/Tsetserra areas Specials include Swynnerton's Robin (much easier at Bvumba), Orange Ground Thrush, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Stripe-cheeked and Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Chirinda Apalis and Briar Warbler. After we have finished our birding we return to Mozambique where we stay over. Day 9 (26 Nov) - Reserve day Can be allocated to one locality where more time is required (either Rio Savanne, Chinizua or Furuncungo) Day 10 (27 Nov) Return to Johannesburg (either via Beira or via Zimbabwe For more information on cost, booking etc. please Send us an e-mail here. | ||
