Zambia offers over 750 recorded
species, 2 endemics, large tracts of unspoilt wilderness and a stable
political environment! It's also the perfect setting to search for
one of Africa's most desired specials: African Pitta
is reliably found here in December when they migrate into riverine
forests to breed.
Our Zambia tour focuses on the Zambezi endemics found primarily
in the Miombo woodlands cloaking large parts of the country. The
tour also targets Zambia's only two endemics, Chaplin's
Barbet and Black-cheeked Lovebird.
For more information on our Zambia birding tour itineraries, please
contact
us.
Standard Itinerary: Zambia 12 days
1. Lusaka
2. Lusaka to Mutinondo Wilderness
3-4. Mutinondo Wilderness
5. Mutinondo to Forest Inn
6. Forest Inn to Choma
7. Nkanga River Conservancy
8. Nkanga to Livingstone
9. Day outing in search of Black-cheecked Lovebird
10. Livingstone to Zambezi Valley
11. African Pitta Quest: saving the best for last!
12: Return to Lusaka
Featured
Leaders: Michael Mills
Michael recommends: This tour
is well suited to world listers and mammal enthusiasts.
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, activities 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, but while on the walks
we spend a lot of time looking for other aspects of wildlife.
We can also customise any itinerary to suit to the keen birder,
the wildlife enthusiast or both.
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
No fitness is required. The few walks are generally in relatively
flat areas with occasional small inclines.
Timing
Various times. Please enquire.
Climate
Warm to hot.
Comfort
A good standard of accommodation in guest houses, lodges and
small hotels.
Transport
We travel by minibus or four wheel drive vehicle.
Group Size
This depends on the specific tour. Please enquire.
Top birds
African Pitta, and the country's two only endemics, Chaplin's
Barbet and Black-cheecked Lovebird.
Top mammals
African savanna elephant, Lion
Booking
Your booking can be secured with a booking form and deposit. 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 150 days before the tour. Contact us to enquire 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.
