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 EASTERN ZIMBABWE & CENTRAL MOZAMBIQUE 16 DAY TRIP: 14 to 29 July 2018 This promises to be the mother of all birding trips. In Mozambique, our trip focuses on the region north of Beira and towards the Zambezi River. This area boasts all the Mozambique specials, except for the Olive-headed Weaver. These specials include the following birds which, within southern Africa, are found exclusively in Mozambique: Green-headed Oriole, White-chested Alethe, East Coast Akalat, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, and Speckle-throated Woodpecker.In addition to these resident species we have the possibility of encountering two rare winter visitors from Madagascar ie Mascarene Martin and Malagasy Pond-Heron. December 2013 saw great excitement in birding circles when a small population of Bohm s Bee-eaters was discovered on a farm near Sena on the banks of the Zambezi River. Subsequent visits by various birding groups have been successful and it seems likely that these birds are resident in the area. Wetland areas near this site hold out the possibility of Malagasy Pond-Heron.
Three nights are spent in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, on our return from Mozambique. We will be based in the Bvumba highlands where birding is excellent and where we are sure to add some of the Zimbabwe specials to our list. 2 THE DESTINATIONS Rio Savane lies at the mouth of the mangrove lined Savane River, some 30km north of Beira. The surrounding area consists of extensive marshland and remnant patches of coastal forest. From our base at Catapu, situated 32km south of the Zambezi River we explore the Zambezi River area. This area includes extensive pristine coastal forest, mixed woodland, miombo woodland, pans and swamps. Good roads traverse the area and access all the main habitats.
3 Gorongosa Mountain is an isolated mountain peak of 1863m in central Mozambique. It is sacred in local tradition and the only site in southern Africa to see the Green-headed Oriole. Habitats include lowland woodland with riverine thickets at the base, cliffs, scrubby slopes and montane forests higher up, with montane grassland at the peak. Footpaths lead from the base to the forests on the slopes and birding is rewarding all the way. Gorongosa National Park is situated approximately 200km from the Zimbabwe border. The dry woodland, grassland and seasonal marshes in this huge (3770 sq km) National Park support large numbers of birds.
Gorongosa was formerly one of the great game parks of Africa, but numbers of large game animals were significantly depleted during the war years. An extensive restocking programme is currently underway and game drives now produce lion, elephant, buffalo, sable antelope and several smaller species of mammals. 4 The Bvumba highlands lie approximately 25km above the city of Mutare and offer exciting and varied birding opportunities. Habitats within this area are varied and include montane grassland, montane forest, miombo woodland and exotic plantations. BIRDING ATTRACTIONS Rio Savane and Beira Bat Hawk, Palm-nut Vulture, Red-necked Falcon, Mangrove Kingfisher, Grey Sunbird, Collared Pratincole, Short-tailed Pipit, Locustfinch, Blackrumped Buttonquail, Tiny Greenbul, Green Malkoha, Magpie Mannikin, Rufous-winged Cisticola, Square-tailed Nightjar.
5 Gorongosa Mountain and Gorongosa area: Green-headed Oriole, Anchieta s Tchagra, Livingstone s Turaco, Bluespotted Wood-Dove, Pallid Honeyguide, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Lesser Seedcracker, Broad-tailed Warbler, Moustached Grass-Warbler, Black-winged Bishop, Grey-headed Parrot, Arnot s Chat, Western Violetbacked Sunbird, Cabanis s Bunting, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Racket-tailed Roller, Red-winged Warbler. Zambezi River area (Catapu) Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, Livingstone s Turaco, Bohm s Bee eater, Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Green-backed Woodpecker, White-chested Alethe, East Coast Akalat, Black-headed Apalis, Redwinged Warbler, Red-throated Twinspot, Black-and-white Flycatcher, Pale Batis, Livingstone s Flycatcher, Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike, Plain-backed Sunbird, Tiny Greenbul, Dickinson s Kestrel, Grey-headed Parrot.
6 Bvumba (Seldomseen, Burma Valley, Cecil Kop NR, Mutare) Swynnerton s Robin, Orange Ground-Thrush, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Chirinda Apalis, Roberts s Warbler, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Bronzy Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Miombo Double-collared Sunbird, Eastern Saw-wing, Mottled Swift, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Orangewinged Pytilia, Miombo Tit, Cabanis s Bunting, Whyte s Barbet, Spotted Creeper, Southern Hyliota, Miombo Rock-Thrush. ITINERARY Day 1 (Johannesburg Vilanculos-Buffalo Camp) Depart from OR Tambo Int on late morning flight to Vilanculos. Travel to Buffalo Camp, 50 km north of the Save River. Overnight at Buffalo Camp.
Day 2 (Buffalo Camp-Beira) Early morning birding around camp Depart after breakfast for Beira, birding on route. Afternoon birding near Rio Savane Overnight at Macuti Complex, Beira 7 Day 3 (Rio Savane) Day spent exploring marshlands and forests. Overnight at Macuti Complex Day 4 (Beira-Catapu) Early morning birding around Beira Depart after breakfast for Mphingwe Camp, Catapu via Dondo and Muanza. Bird en route and arrive at Mphingwe Camp, Catapu mid afternoon Overnight at Mphingwe Camp Days 5,6 and 7 (Catapu) Days spent birding the surrounding areas Overnight at Mphingwe Camp. Day 8 (Catapu-Gorongosa area) Early morning birding around Catapu Depart after breakfast for Gorongosa area Arrive mid-afternoon and bird around camp Overnight at Gorongosa Adventures Day 9 (Gorongosa area) Early morning ascent of Mt Gorongosa Return to camp late morning Rest of day spent birding and relaxing Overnight at Gorongosa Adventures Day 10 (Gorongosa Nat Park) Morning birding around Gorongosa Adventures Depart after lunch for Gorongosa Nat Park Afternoon birding around Chitengo camp Overnight at Chitengo camp, Gorongosa Nat Park
Day 11 (Gorongosa Nat Park) Early morning game drive in open safari vehicle Rest of day spent relaxing in camp Afternoon game drive in open safari vehicle Overnight at Chitengo camp 8 Day 12 (Gorongosa Nat Park-Bvumba) Early morning birding around camp Depart after breakfast for Bvumba, Zimbabwe via Inchope & Chimoio Arrive mid-afternoon at Seldomseen, Bvumba Late afternoon birding and overnight at Seldomseen Days 13 and 14 (Seldomseen and surrounding areas) Days spent birding. Visit Cecil Kop Nature Reserve, Burma Valley and Leopard Rock Hotel. Overnight at Seldomseen Day 15 (Seldomseen-Bubi River) Early morning departure from Seldomseen Travel via Masvingo to Bubi River, birding on route Late afternoon birding and overnight at Lion & Elephant Motel Day 16 (Bubi River-Johannesburg) Early morning birding in lodge grounds Depart after breakfast for Johannesburg, via Beitbridge and Polokwane