Offering Africa's best accessible
lowland forest birding, Gabon is key to the dedicated birder. It
provides an opportunity to get to grips with many Congo Basin forest
species that are difficult to see elsewhere.
We have seen Black and Plumed Guineafowl,
Forest Francolin, Congo Serpent Eagle,
Long-tailed Hawk, Gabon Helmet-shrike, Black-headed
and Rosy Bee-eaters, Yellow-throated
Cuckoo and African River Martin all on
a single tour! Have a look at our trip
reports.
Experience birding in vast forests while standing a chance to see forest
elephant, red river hog, forest buffalo or even gorilla, chimpanzee or mandrill.
On our tours we travel through a rich mosaic of forests, savannas,
woodlands, grasslands and coastal lakes. We focus on three key sites.
(i) central: Lopé
Faunal Reserve offers a forest/savannah mosaic with specials
such as Bates's Nightjar, Bates's Swift, Red-headed Picathartes,
Violet-tailed Sunbird and Lyre-tailed Honeyguide.
(ii) north east: theIpassa
Strict Nature Reservein the Ivindo
National Park offers superb forest birding and West-Africa's
most spectacular waterfalls. Highlights include African Piculet,
Gabon Batis and Rachel's Malimbe.
(iii) south east: Léconi
grasslands on the Bateke Plateau, with a wealth
of grassland and miombo woodland birds: Black-headed Bee-eater,
Congo Moor Chat, Finsch's Francolin and Black-chinned Weaver.
On our costal extension tour,
we visit the exciting Gamba
Protected Areas Complex, where coastline meets grassland, forest,
rivers and lakes. Specials include Loango Weaver, Rosy Bee-eater,
African River-martin and more.
Featured
Leaders: Callan & Deirdre
Callan & Deirdre recommend:
This tour is well suited to world listers, because we see several
rare lowland forest species, as well as wildlife enthusiasts because
we make a special effort to see mammals and primates.
Callan Cohen
founded Birding Africa 12 years ago and has written two books on
birding in Africa, including the definitive birding site guide to
southern Africa and Madagascar. Callan has over 20 years of birding
experience in the region.
Deirdre Vrancken is a primatologist whose expertise
in lemurs will add an extra dimension to the tour. She has studied
Pronghorn Antelopes in Montana, African Elephants in East Africa,
and our closests living relatives, Bonobos, in the jungles of the
Congo.
* 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
Madagascar, 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
Madagascar, 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 mammal enthusiasts. Designed
to see as many as possible endemic birds and lemurs, but while
on the walks we spend a lot of time looking for other aspects
of wildlife such as the mammals, primates and interesting plants.
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. The walks are generally
in relatively flat areas with occasional inclines. Primate trekking
may involve walking off the pathways on non-level terrain.
Timing
Birding is generally best during the long dry season in
July and August.
Climate
June, July, August is the long dry season:
little rain with pleasant temperatures of 22 to 25 °C. Skies
are usually clouded and light is less good for photography.
Comfort
Fairly comfortable accommodation in guest houses, lodges and
small hotels.
Transport
We travel mainly by minibus and four wheel drive vehicles.
Also by train and plane.
Group Size
Depending on the tour. Please enquire.
Top birds
Rare lowland forest species, such as Congo Serpent Eagle
and Plumed Guineafowl; Rosy and Black-headed Bee-eater, African
River Martin, Congo Moor Chat and Long-tailed Hawk
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.
