With a mind-boggling diversity
of habitats stretching from coastal equatorial forests to the Saharan
edge, Cameroon holds more endemics than any other West African country.
Some of Africa's most sought after species are also most easily
found in Cameroon: Mount Kupe Bush-Shrike (described
in 1952 and only 25 individuals recorded since then), Bannerman's
Turaco and Red-headed Picathartes. Harbouring
25 endemic bird species, the highlands constitute one of Africa's
most important Endemic Bird Areas.
The question becomes not whether to visit, but when and how.
We have successfully designed and run trips to Cameroon since 2002.
We now offer these two consecutive tours:
Our northern tour visits the woodlands of Ngaoundaba
Ranch and Benoue National Park and the arid savanna of Waza.
Our southern highlands tour aims to see all (except
for Mount Cameroon Francolin) Cameroon Mountains endemics, visiting
Mount Cameroon, Mount Kupe, the Bakossi Mountains and the Bamenda
Highlands.
Each tour is short enough to allow you to sneak away for a short
break or to complete Cameroon in one swoop.
Michael recommends: This tour
is well suited to world listers and keen birders with a sense of
adventure.
Michael Mills
has now led more than twelve different Cameroon birding tours,
gaining intimate knowledge of the key birding areas and improved
logistics.
Michael grew up in the Kalahari
Gemsbok and Kruger National Parks and has travelled extensively
in Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica. He obtained a Masters
degree in Conservation Biology after which he continued conducting
bird research, particularly in Angola. Besides birds, he has a strong
interest in mammals, particularly in small carnivores and African
primates.
'... confidence in a well
organised and successful tour.' AD,
UK
'Thanks to the meticulously detailed efforts of Birding Africa I
have great memories to keep me energized until my next trip with
you. How you planned everything down to the tiniest detail was amazing.
The accommodations, meals and general trip were excellent. Michael
was beyond belief.' BR,
USA
'Michael was first class on
every aspect.' FH, UK
'.... tours were excellent. The trips certainly lived up to
my expectations and we saw a large number of incredible birds. Michael
did a great job and is an outstanding tour guide. His skill at finding
birds in all habitats and his knowledge of bird calls is nothing
short of amazing.' JC, UK
'... his spotting skills and ability to pick out the faintest calls
but also his continual energy and enthusiasm to maximise our birding
experience..' ND, UK
Red-headed
Picathartes, photographed by AP Leventis and courtesy of BirdLife
International. Watch the video
by Martin Kennewell taken on the 2009 Birding Africa tour.
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement.
* Included in the above price: Birding Africa tour leader, Birding
Africa printed booklet with species lists, domestic flights within
Cameroon, boat trips as indicated on the itinerary, road transport,
guide fees, entry fees for the parks, reserves and botanical gardens,
full board accommodation and drinking water on the bus. Not included:
international flights, drinks, optional tips, and items of a personal
nature are not included.
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement. * Included in the above price: Birding
Africa tour leader, Birding Africa printed booklet with species lists,
domestic flights within Cameroon, boat trips as indicated on the itinerary,
road transport, guide fees, entry fees for the parks, reserves and
botanical gardens, full board accommodation and drinking water on
the bus. Not included: international flights, drinks, optional tips,
and items of a personal nature are not included.
Practical tour information
Focus
For keen birders and world listers. Designed to
see all of Cameroon's endemic birds.
Photography
Many participants on our trips are amateur wildlife photographers.
And when we get excellent views of a bird or mammal, some time
is usually spent watching and photographing it. However, this
is not a photographic tour and once the majority of the people
have felt that they have absorbed the animal or bird to their
satisfaction, then we move on in search of the next encounter.
Thus, while the photographic opportunities
are very good, the group will only occasionally wait for somebody
who wants to spend even longer getting better photos.
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. Most walks will be
done in cool conditions and will last less than 3-4 hours. The
walks are generally in relatively flat areas with occasional
inclines, but some steeper hikes are involved.
Timing
The tour coincides with the beginning
of the rainy season in the south and the end of the dry
season in the north.
Climate
Hot and dry in the north. Hot and humid in the South.
Comfort
Moderate to basic comfort in small hotels, guest houses and
lodges.
Transport
A combination of four-wheel-drives and minibuses
Getting There
Please
enquire. The trip start at 19h00 on 11 March. It starts
in the evening and ends in the evening to sync with the popular
Air France flights from Paris.
Group Size
6 to 9; may vary depending on the tour.
Top birds
Northern Cameroon: arid-country specials such as
Quail Plover, Egyptian Plover, Standard-winged Nightjar and
Arabian Bustard; Southern Cameroon: Cameroon Mountains endemics such
as Green Long-tailed and (perhaps) Mount Kupe Bush-Shrike, Red-headed
Picathartes and many hornbills; 590 bird species were recorded on our 2009 tour.
Booking
Your
booking can be secured with a booking
form and deposit of Euro 350. You will receive
confirmation and our tour information pack with practical information
on what to expect and how to prepare for the tour. The balance
is due 3 months before the tour. Email
us about availability.
About Birding Africa
Birding Africa is a specialist birding tour
company customising tours for both world listers and more relaxed
holiday birders. We combine interests in mammals, butterflies, dragonflies,
botany and other natural history aspects and will guide you to Africa's
and Madagascar's most diverse birding destinations. Our guides'
knowledge of African birds and birding areas is our greatest strength
and together we have rediscovered species, shared exciting observations
with the birding community and had a fun time exploring our home
continent. We've even written two acclaimed guide
books on where to find Southern Africa's and Madagascar's best
birds. Birding is more than our passion, it's our lifestyle, and
we are dedicated to making professional, best value trips filled
with endemic species and unique wildlife experiences. Since 1997,
we've run bird watching tours
in South Africa and further into Africa for individual birders,
small birding groups and top international tour companies. We've
run Conservation Tours
in association with the African Bird Club and work with and consult
for a number of other top international tour companies and the BBC
Natural History Unit.
