ZIMBABWE Lowlands, mountains and woodlands

Website: www.reachafrica.co.za Reach Africa Birding and Getaways Reach Africa Birding Email: birding@reachafrica.co.za Tel: 011 475 7436 Cell: 082 577 2102 Fax: 086 617 3996 P.O Box 409 Allens Nek 1737 Roodepoort, South Africa Image Per Holmen ZIMBABWE Lowlands, mountains and woodlands 16 DAY TRIP 9 to 24 July 2017 At 390,624 sq km, Zimbabwe is three times as large as England and about half the size of Texas. This land-locked country is a true paradise for birders, with a total of more than 650 species having been recorded. Although there are no endemics in Zimbabwe, the country boasts more than 50 species of birds that do not occur in South Africa. Most these specials can be found in the focus area of our trip as we have carefully selected those destinations that will afford us the best chance of seeing the targeted species. Most of the miombo woodland birds are resident and birding is usually good throughout the year. THE DESTINATIONS Gona-re-zhou National Park is situated in the south eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe and covers an area in excess of 5 000 square kilometres. The Park is the second largest National Park in Zimbabwe, cutting a swathe of sandstone cliffs, scrub and baobab trees along the country s south-eastern border with Mozambique. Largely undiscovered by the outside world, this striking land is one of the last great pristine wildernesses in Africa and takes in a huge diversity of habitats. It

consists mainly of open grasslands and dense woodlands. Gonarezhou means 'Place of many Elephants'. There are several large and spectacular pans supporting an excellent variety of waterbirds, including herons, storks, egrets and ducks. Lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyena, buffalo, hippo and giraffe can all be seen within the boundaries of the Park but this country is known, first and foremost, as the Land of the Elephant. 2 Chirinda Forest is the southernmost area of tropical rainforest in Africa, covering the two rounded hilltops of Mount Selinda. It is situated 30km south of Chipinge town, and is easily accessible along a tar road. It is one of the best researched forests in Zimbabwe, with scientific collections of flora and fauna being made as early as 1900. This spectacular forest, controlled by the Forestry Commission, is well known for its magnificent trees. Over 100 species occur in the forest, the most famous being the remains of an enormous red Mahogany Khaya nyasica.

The Chimanimani Mountains lie at the southern end of the Eastern Highlands. The highest peak reaches 2440m above sea level. The area is of considerable botanical interest with at least 40 species of endemic plants. There is a varied habitat in the region, with riverine forest along streams and rivers, evergreen forest in the lower lying areas, miombo woodland and montane grassland. The Bvumba highlands lie approximately 25km above the city of Mutare and offer exciting and varied birding opportunities. The "Mountains of the Mist" are an apt name for this part of the eastern Highlands. So often the early morning starts with the mist but clears by mid- morning. The area is probably best known as one of the main breeding areas of Swynnerton's Robin which lives and breeds in small patches of forest. Habitats within this area are varied and include montane grassland, montane forest, miombo woodland and exotic plantations 3 The Honde Valley, a prime birding destination, is one of the most picturesque areas in Zimbabwe. It offers a wide range of species difficult to find in other parts of the region. The low-lying valley (850m) is in an area of high rainfall and one of the major tea producing regions of Zimbabwe. Habitats are varied and include montane forest (fast disappearing), riverine forest, marsh, miombo woodland, tea plantations and cultivated lands.

The Nyanga area boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Zimbabwe. Mountains, rivers and gorges, montane grassland and forest, exotic and miombo woodland and man-made dams, all within a wide range of altitudes reaching up to 2500m, make this a most invigorating birding area. The highest waterfall in Zimbabwe, the Mtarazi Falls, is reached via lovely montane forest 4 The Marondera area boasts some 380 species and is home to some extremely sought after Zimbabwean specials. Although best known for its miombo woodland birds, grassland and water birds are well represented. Marondera is situated on the central watershed at a height of 1660m. The combination of high rainfall and warm to hot summers has created ideal conditions for the growth of the miombo woodlands, which are a feature of the Mashonaland Plateau.

5 BIRDING ATTRACTIONS Gonarezhou Boulder Chat (en route), Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, Dickinson s Kestrel, African Barred Owlet, Southern Ground Hornbill, Grey-headed Parrot, Senegal Lapwing, Collared Palm- Thrush, Mosque Swallow, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Bohm s and Mottled Spinetails, Narina Trogon, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Green Malkoha, Eastern Nicator, Red-throated Twinspot, Allen s Gallinule. Chirinda Forest Swynnerton s Robin, White-starred Robin, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Livingstone s Turaco, Narina Trogon, Olive Bush-Shrike, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Grey Cuckooshrike, Crested Guineafowl, Lemon Dove, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, White-eared Barbet, Dark-backed Weaver, Chirinda Apalis, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Black-throated Wattleeye.

6 Chimanimani Mountains Augur Buzzard, Scarce Swift, Red-necked Spurfowl, Miombo Rock- Thrush, Miombo Tit, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Southern Hyliota, Red-faced Crombec, Green-backed Honeybird, Singing Cisticola, Mountain Wagtail, Bronzy Sunbird, Gurney s Sugarbird, Roberts s Warbler. Bvumba (Seldomseen, Bvumba Botanical Gardens, Cecil Kop NP, Mutare) Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Swynnerton s Robin, Orange Ground-Thrush, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Chirinda Apalis, Roberts s Warbler, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Bronzy Sunbird, Buffspotted Flufftail, Variable Sunbird, Orange-winged Pytilia, Miombo Double-collared Sunbird, Eastern Saw-wing, Mottled Swift, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Miombo Tit, Cabanis s Bunting, Southern Hyliota, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Whyte s Barbet. Honde Valley Palm-nut Vulture, Anchieta s Tchagra, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Scarce Swift, Pallid Honeyguide, Green-backed Woodpecker, Bluespotted Wood-Dove, Moustached Grass-Warbler, Red-winged Warbler, Red-throated Twinspot, Green Twinspot, Singing Cisticola, Short-winged Cisticola, Black-winged Bishop.

7 Nyanga Scarce Swift, Mottled Swift, Augur Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Singing Cisticola, Broad-tailed Warbler, Eastern Saw-wing, Roberts s Warbler, Chirinda Apalis, Gurney s Sugarbird, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Bronzy Sunbird. Marondera Wood Pipit, Boulder Chat, Whyte s Barbet, Black-eared Seedeater, Spotted Creeper, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Southern Hyliota, Stierlings s Wren-warbler, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Green-capped Eremomela, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Miombo Tit, Rufous-bellied Tit, Cabanis s Bunting, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Broad-tailed Warbler, Cuckoo Finch, Copper Sunbird. ITINERARY Day 1 (Johannesburg Triangle) Depart bright and early and head for Zimbabwe Enter Zimbabwe at Beitbridge, arriving at destination in early afternoon Afternoon birding and overnight at Triangle CC

Day 2 (Bubi River-Gonarezhou Nat. Park) Early morning birding in area. Depart after breakfast for Gonarezhou, birding en route. Arrive at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge after lunch Afternoon birding and overnight at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge. 8 Day 3 (Gonarezhou Nat Park) Morning spent birding in forests and woodlands Afternoon game drive in Gonarezhou Park in open safari vehicle. Mid-afternoon arrival and overnight at Chilo Overnight at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge. Day 4 (Gonarezhou-Chimanimani) Early morning birding in forests and woodlands near lodge. Depart after brunch for Chimanimani Mountains. Late afternoon arrival at Chimanimani Overnight at Frog & Fern Cottages, Chimanimani. Day 5 (Chimanimani) Day spent birding in Chimanimani area Overnight at Frog & Fern Day 6 (Chimanimani/Chirinda Forest) Earl morning departure for Chirinda Forest near Chipinge Rest of day spent birding in Chirinda Forest before late afternoon return to Chimanimani Overnight at Frog & Fern Day 7 (Chimanimani- Bvumba) Early morning birding around Chimanimani Depart after brunch for Bvumba highlands, via Mutare Arrive at Seldomseen Cottages around lunchtime Afternoon birding and overnight at Seldomseen Days 8 & 9 (Bvumba area) Days spent birding around area, including Burma Valley, Leopard Rock and Cecil Kop Nature Reserve Overnight at Seldomseen Day 10 (Bvumba-Honde Valley) Early morning at Seldomseen

Depart after breakfast for Honde Valley, arriving mid afternoon Overnight at Aberfoyle Lodge, Honde Valley 9 Day 11 (Honde Valley) Day spent exploring and birding in various habitats in area Overnight at Aberfoyle Lodge Day 12 (Honde Valley-Nyanga) Early morning birding around Aberfoyle Depart after breakfast for Nyanga and arrive around lunchtime Afternoon birding around Nyanga Overnight at Pine Tree Inn, Nyanga Day 13 (Nyanga-Marondera) Morning spent birding and sightseeing in the magnificent Nyanga highlands Depart after lunch for Marondera Overnight at farm guesthouse near Marondera Day 14 (Marondera) Day spent birding in Gosho Park and wetlands Overnight Marondera Day 15 (Marondera-Bubi River Early morning birding in Marondera Depart after breakfast for Bubi River Late afternoon birding around Lion & Elephant Overnight at Lion & Elephant Day 16 (Bubi River-Johannesburg) Early morning birding departure from Lion & Elephant Visit Polokwane Game Reserve en route and arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon