Mozambique in Winter Africa Birding Ecotours

14-day Mozambique in Winter

birding spectacular

The strange Chestnut-fronted Helmet-shrike (Maans Booysen)

Mozambique is a fabulous birding destination hosting many species not found elsewhere in southern Africa. Ravaged by a messy civil war that lasted 15 years, it is once again open for birding with infrastructure that has improved dramatically over the last few years. Central Mozambique, which we will be focusing on, has large tracts of lowland forest and miombo woodland that is constantly under threat from timber companies as well as from illegal slash and burn. The area is nonetheless home to some very special birds with restricted ranges. Olive-headed Weaver is now found only in the Panda area near Inhambanne, Green-headed Oriole is only found on Mt. Gorongoza and Crab Plover is best searched for at Ponta da Barra.

Southern Banded Snake Eagle (Martin Benadie)

The picture is completed by pristine grassland, untouched dambos and unspoilt beaches. The mountains at Tsetserra and Gorongoza are breathtaking and beckon you to stay longer. Elusive species such as African Pitta (but this seems to be only in summer) are regularly recorded in the Zambezi Coutadas (hunting concessions) in summer and big game is on the rebound in the once famous Gorongoza National Park which is now being managed by the American Carr Foundation. This is a trip for fabulous birds as well as other wildlife. Several species, such as Mascarene Martin are only seen in winter, while good numbers of intra-African and Eurasian migrants arrive are present only in the summer.

Target Birds:
Green-headed Oriole, Olive-headed Weaver, Crab Plover, Mangrove Kingfisher, Locust Finch, Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike, East Coast Akalat, White-chested Alethe, Plain-backed Sunbird, Mascarene Martin, Chirinda Apalis, African Broadbill, Black-headed Apalis, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Blue Quail, Swynnerton's Robin, Neergaard's Sunbird, Lesser Seedcracker, Pale Batis, Red-faced Crimsonwing and stacks more.
Target Mammals:
Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Suni, Samango Monkey, Red Squirrel and Thick-tailed Bushbaby

Follow the links below for further details:

Full itinerary

Trip Report: Scouting Trip to Mozambique

Trip Report –Mozambique 16 May 2009 to 30 May 2009

Itinerary:

Duration: 14 days

Limit: 4-12

Date: 6-19 July 2009, 2010, 2011

Start: Johannesburg, South Africa

End: Johannesburg, South Africa

Price: TBA

Price_Includes: