Guided by Michael Mills, this
short Birding Africa tour to Ghana affords participants the opportunity
to see the spectacular Yellow-headed Picathartes,
one of Africa’s most unusual and desirable birds.
We will visit an area with about 30 nests on two consecutive days,
because we know how hard it is to fully appreciate this amazing
species during a single visit. The birds won’t be breeding,
but we expect to see birds coming in to roost in the late afternoon.
Besides seeing the Yellow-headed Picathartes (or White-necked Rockfowl)
we will also have the opportunity to sample a rich variety of forest
birds, including several Upper Guinea endemics, in and around the
famous Kakum National Park. One of the highlights of the trip will
be birding from the canopy walkway in Kakum forest.
The tour starts and ends in Accra. Our 8-day itinerary
in 2010/2011 includes the Shai Hills, the Cape Coast, the canopy
walkway and Aboabo in the Kakum Forest and the Atewa Forest. Our
Extension Tour adds another 3 days birding in and
around Atewa Forest. Click here for our detailed
itineraries.
We also offer a 16-day itinerary in 2012, which
includes a main forest tour and an shorter optional extension.
Featured Leader: Michael Mills
Michael recommends: This tour
is well suited to world listers and keen birders with a sense of
adventure.
Michael
Mills has a broad African birding experience. Anyone
who has birded with him in forests will recognise the value
of his keen ear at picking out calls of the rarer and more
tricky species. He'll be visiting Ghana for two weeks prior
to this tour, having goodies lined up when this trip commences...
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.
'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
'Mike was amazing... he stayed cool and collected all the time
[on the Angola trip]. DW, South Africa
'.... 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
* 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
Yellow-headed Picathartes, one of Africa's most
unusual birds. For keen birders.
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
gentle and across relatively flat terrain.
Timing
This tours runs during the dry season, when access to sites
is easier and birding is unlikely to be interrupted by rain.
Climate
Warm and humid.
Comfort
Basic but reasonably comfortable accommodation, mostly with
air-conditioning.
Yellow-headed Picathartes and "Upper Guinea" endemics
such as Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Sharpe's Apalis, Grey-headed
Bristlebill.
Booking
Your
booking can be secured with a booking
form and deposit of GBP 300. 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.
.jpg "Yellow-headed Picathartes (c) Chris Farnham")
350.jpg "Yellow-headed Picathartes (c) Chris Farnham")
Yellow-headed Picathartes (White-necked Rockfowl) © Chris Farnham.