Zambia

Days 1-2
FLY TO LUSAKA
Our birdwatching tour to Zambia begins with an overnight flight from London to Lusaka where on arrival we will transfer to our accommodation. Depending on flight schedules, there should be time for some birding in the grounds with Lilian’s Lovebird, Olive Woodpecker, Western Banded Snake-eagle, Miombo Tit and Crested Barbet amongst the possibilities. Night at Wild Dogs Lodge

Day 3
CHISAMBA AREA
After breakfast, we will drive towards Chisamba, which will take us about 2-3 hours, birding along the way. Chisamba is a prime spot for the endemic Chaplin’s Barbet. This rare and globally endangered species has a small range on the plateau of Central Zambia, where it is patchily distributed in sandy grasslands with scattered trees.

The area boasts excellent birding and as well as the barbet, we will look for species such as Rufous-bellied Heron, Shelley’s Sunbird and Luapula Cisticola and can also expect to see large number of vultures and waterbirds. Night at Fringilla Lodge, Chisamba

Day 4
TRAVEL FROM CHISAMBA TO MUTINONDO WILDERNESS
Today will be mainly a travel day, as we head to Mutinondo, however, we will break the journey including a lunch stop at Fika Lodge where there is a good variety of Miombo birds including Stierling’s Wren-warbler, African Paradise Flycatcher and Crowned Hornbill.

Our destination is the scenic and comfortable Mutinondo Lodge in the heart of Mutinondo Wilderness and, if time allows, we will begin our exploration of the area. Night at Mutinondo Lodge

Days 5-6
MUTINONDO WILDERNESS
We have two full days birding in and around the Mutinondo Wilderness area. The scenery here is beautiful, with superb large granite boulders, extensive areas of Miombo broadleaved woodlands, seasonally wet Dambo grasslands and crystal clear streams and rapids flanked by Mushitu evergreen forest.

We hope to see most of the many key birds that occur here such as Anchieta’s, Western Violet-backed and Green-headed Sunbirds, Anchieta’s and Whyte’s Barbets, Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tits, Bar-winged Weaver, Bocage’s Akalat, Whyte’s and Hildebrandt’s Francolins, Locustfinch, Stout, Pale-crowned, Long-tailed and Lazy Cisticolas, White-tailed Blue and Crested Flycatchers, Mountain Wagtail, Little, Cabanis’s and Grey-olive Greenbuls, Miombo Rock Thrush, Mocking Cliff Chat, Ross’s and Schalow’s Turacos, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Moustached Grass Warbler, Laura’s Warbler, Black-eared and Reichard’s Seedeaters and Fawn-breasted Waxbill.

Western and Eastern Miombo Sunbirds occur alongside each other here, separated by breeding habitat; indeed, Mutinondo was one of the sites where it was first realised in the 1990s that these constitute two separate species.

Another species we will make a concerted effort to see is Chestnut-headed Flufftail. This near-mythical bird is reliably known only from a number of locations in northern Zambia, with Mutinondo ranking among the best sites to find it. Nevertheless, getting an actual view of this elusive species is far from guaranteed.

At dusk, we will make an effort to see the enigmatic African Grass Owl, as well as Spotted Eagle-Owl and African Wood Owl, Pennant-winged Nightjar (hopefully including a male that still has its pennants) and Freckled, Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjars.

Large mammals which might also be encountered include Roan and Sable Antelopes, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Klipspringer, Spotted Hyena and the enigmatic Chequered Giant Sengi. Two further nights at Mutinondo Lodge

Day 7
DRIVE TO KASANKA
We plan to leave Mutinondo early to allow us to look for birds in good quality Miombo along the road. We will then head to Tuta Bridge, where we hope to locate Katanga Masked Weaver, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Wattled Crane and Long-tailed Widowbird of the even longer-tailed race delamerei.

Shoebill has been recorded near the bridge, however, our chances of seeing this extraordinary bird are slim, although the area does support the rare endemic Black Lechwe Antelope.

The afternoon will be spent in Kasanka National Park, where we will stay at Wasa Lodge, overlooking the scenic Lake Wasa which can be very productive for waterbirds including Lesser Jacana, White-backed Duck and African Pygmy Goose.

Our main goal here is to experience the remarkable emergence of millions of bats as from October to December, up to 10 million Straw-coloured Fruit Bats roost in a tiny area, in what is reputedly the largest congregation of mammals on the planet. The bats emerge from their roost just before dusk, flying out to forage in the surrounding woodlands providing an experience often considered to be among the earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Night at Wasa Lodge

Day 8
KASANKA NATIONAL PARK TO MKUSHI
In the early morning, we will go in search of Pel’s Fishing Owl which is arguably one of Africa’s most spectacular owls. Most years, it is reliable in a forest patch along the Kasanka River, however, these riverine forests also host other great birds like Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Böhms Bee-eater, Schalow’s and Ross’s Turacos, Narina Trogon, Red-throated Twinspot, Brown Firefinch and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers, while White-fronted Bee-eater, Half-collared and Malachite Kingfishers are among species regularly seen on the Kasanka River itself.

We also plan to visit a wooden platform overlooking a small wetland which offers excellent opportunities to see the elusive Sitatunga Antelope, while Hippo, Puku and Blue Monkey are also possible, along with wetland birds such as Black-faced Canary, Chirping Cisticola, Sharp-tailed Starling and the occasional Black-bellied Seedcracker.

We may get lucky hitting mixed parties in the miombo woodlands which are traditionally good for Pale-billed Hornbill, Böhm’s Flycatcher, Black-necked Eremomela, Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tits, Yellow-bellied Hyliota and Miombo Blue-eared Starling.

After lunch, we will drive to Fika Lodge where we should have time to bird the miombo woodlands which might produce Black-necked Eremomela, Rufous-bellied Tit, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Southern Hyliota, Bennett’s Woodpecker and Long-tailed (Tabora) Cisticola. Night at Fika Lodge

Day 9
MKUSHI TO ZAMBEZI VALLEY
We will head out early to the woodlands of the North Swaka Forest Reserve. The miombo is very tall here and excellent for a long list of miombo birds including some of the more tricky species such as Bar-winged Weaver and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-weaver. Miombo Pied Barbet, Black-necked Eremomela, Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tits, Yellow-bellied and Southern Hyliotas, Böhm’s Flycatcher, Bushveld and Woodland Pipits, Anchieta’s Sunbird and Long-tailed (Tabora) Cisticolas are among the many other miombo specialities known from the area.

After lunch, we will drive to the Zambezi Valley with our destination being the Gwabi Lodge. Night at Gwabi Lodge

Days 10-11
ZAMBEZI VALLEY
Gwabi Lodge is situated in the lower Zambezi Valley, Zambia’s most low-lying area which during December transforms from a dry floodplain to a lush system of wetlands and closed-canopy thickets. The lodge is surrounded by extensive thicket habitat which hosts the much sought-after African Pitta and the first half of December is the prime period in which to find it as this coincides with the first proper rains that see the seasonal thickets develop their closed canopy.

We plan to dedicate at least two full mornings to this species as our chances of success are almost entirely dependent on the weather. If we hit dry sunny weather, it may prove a challenge to locate the birds but if we have overcast conditions with the occasional shower (hopefully outside of birding hours!), the pittas are generally far more likely to cooperate and may even pose for photos.

Other specialities here include Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Eastern Nicator, African Cuckoo-hawk, African Broadbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, Purple-crested Turaco, Bearded Scrub Robin, Crested Francolin and Southern Crested Guineafowl, while many palearctic migrants visit the area including Thrush Nightingale and the occasional River Warbler.

At some point during our stay, we are likely to make one or more visits to the mighty Zambezi River which is several kilometres wide here. Hippopotamus, African Elephant and Buffalo are commonly seen along with birds such as Mottled and Böhm’s Spinetails, African Skimmer, a range of waterbirds, large congregations of swallows and martins and raptors including African Fish Eagle and Osprey.

We will carefully check all Eurasian Hobbies since there have been records of Eleonora’s Falcon here which is a real rarity in Zambia.

As is normal in the tropics, birding will be mainly in the early morning and late afternoon since the Zambezi Valley can get very hot. Two further nights at Gwabi Lodge

Day 12
ZAMBEZI VALLEY TO MONZE
Depending on our success with African Pitta and the other specialities of the region, we will either have a final opportunity to look for these species or may explore a different part of the Zambezi Valley.

After lunch we will drive to Monze and are likely to make a number of stops as we travel. Night at Golden Pillow Lodge, Monze

Day 13
LOCHINVAR NATIONAL PARK
We plan to make an early start to maximise our time in Lochinvar National Park which is part of the world-famous Kafue Flats, a vast wetland system which is home to the Kafue Lechwe (antelope). This species is endemic to this wetland system, however, there are also plenty of birds to look for with large numbers of Wattled and Grey Crowned Cranes, Slaty Egrets, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, African Skimmers, Long-toed Lapwings and a wealth of wintering waders and terns.

Relatively high salinity levels make this the only reliable site in Zambia for what are generally considered more coastal species like Caspian and Gull-billed Tern, while Cape Teal and Greater Flamingo are also often seen.

Small numbers of Little Tern have proved regular in recent years, constituting the only reliable inland site in subequatorial Africa for this species which mix in with thousands of White-winged and Whiskered Terns.

Good numbers of Caspian Plovers can also be seen among the thousands of waders, which sometimes include local rarities like Pacific Golden and Grey Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone and Eurasian Curlew.

Swamp Flycatcher, Luapula Cisticola and both Greater and Lesser Swamp Warblers occur in the papyrus and bullrush fields, while the wet grasslands and open bush may produce Olive-tree Warbler among numerous palearctic warblers. Secretarybird, Red-necked, Amur and Red-footed Falcons, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, African Crake, Black Coucal and Marsh Owl are also all possible and we may get lucky with Denham’s or Black-bellied Bustard.

We will transfer to the Choma area in the late afternoon. Two nights at Mambushi Lodge

Day 14
CHOMA AREA: NKANGA RIVER CONSERVATION AREA TO MAMBUSHI
We have a full day in Choma where the key species is the endemic Chaplin’s Barbet which has its southernmost stronghold in the Nkanga River Conservation Area. This area also holds a wealth of savannah and grassland birds including Croaking Cisticola, Black Coucal and a long list of raptors plus miombo birds such as Racket-tailed Roller, Miombo Pied Barbet, Miombo Tit, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Southern Hyliota, Souza’s Shrike, African Spotted Creeper, Wood Pipit, Red-capped Crombec and Cabanis’s Bunting.

There are a number of small dams which regularly produce Rufous-bellied Heron, Lesser Jacana, Allen’s Gallinule and White-backed Duck.

In the afternoon, we plan to visit Mambushi Farm to look for Shelley’s Sunbird, Miombo Pied Barbet and Three-banded Courser.

Day 15
KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
We will make a very early start and drive to the Dundumwenzi area in the southeastern tip of Kafue National Park where our key target is the highly localised Black-cheeked Lovebird. Ever since the trade in the species was banned, there have been no reliable records outside a small area of mopane and acacia woodlands in southern Zambia, confirming it as a true Zambian endemic and making it the most range-restricted of Africa’s mainland parrots.

December is the onset of the rains and the lovebird’s breeding season, so they typically make less visits to waterholes so our best strategy is searching the mature mopane woodlands. Weather conditions will dictate whether we focus our search along the main (though quiet) road, or see us venture into the mopane woodlands and open grasslands of the Nanzhila area.

The mosaic of grasslands and mixed miombo, mopane and acacia woodlands also hold other special birds like Dickinson’s Kestrel, Magpie Shrike, Grey-headed Parrot, Meves’s Starling, Thick-billed and Great Spotted Cuckoos, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Retz’s and White-crested Helmetshrikes, Bennett’s Woodpecker and Red-billed Wood Hoopoe.

An impressive list of large mammals is known from the area including Wild Dog, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, African Savannah Elephant, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Blue Wildebeest, Roan and Sable and we will hope to spot some of these.

During the afternoon, we will transfer to Livingstone. Night at Maramba River Lodge

Day 16
LIVINGSTONE AND VICTORIA FALLS
We have a full day around Livingstone which will include visiting the famous Victoria Falls, undoubtedly, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The falls are arguably among the most spectacular natural sites globally and flocks of Red-winged Starlings and Trumpeter Hornbills, with the occasional Schalow’s Turaco frequent the area.

The surroundings support a wealth of waterbirds including Allen’s Gallinule, African Swamphen, Long-toed Lapwing, Greater Painted Snipe, Collared and sometimes Black-winged Pratincoles and rock-associated species like African Black Swift and Augur Buzzard. Red-necked Falcon, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Collared Palm Thrush and Crested Barbet inhabit the palm savannah.

We also plan to visit Miombo-Kalahari mixed woodlands near the city which hold specialities like Miombo Rock Thrush, Racket-tailed Roller and Pennant-winged Nightjar. Night Livingstone

Day 17
LIVINGSTONE AND DEPART FOR UK
During the morning, we will take a boat ride on the mighty Zambezi River to search for riverine species such as African Finfoot, Rock Pratincole, African Skimmer and Half-collared Kingfisher. A range of waders, storks, ducks, vultures and raptors also occur and, if we are fortunate, may find Pel’s Fishing Owl and Slaty Egret.

We will then head to Livingstone Airport from where we will depart for the UK.

Day 18
ARRIVE LONDON
Our flight is likely to arrive in the afternoon concluding our birdwatching tour to Zambia.

WHAT TO EXPECT
An 18-day, small group birding tour to Zambia exploring National Parks and private reserves, forest reserves and more open habitats for an exciting range of sought-after specialities and Zambezian endemics.

Early starts are the norm for birding tours in tropical regions, where the daylight hours are relatively short (in Zambia at this time of year approximately 5.30am-6.30pm), and where bird activity peaks early and late but generally dies away during the hotter middle of the day.

It will be important to be in the field at dawn so we can hear the birds singing and calling as the day starts up as in some instances, this may be our only chance to discover if certain species are present or not, so we will naturally want to make the most of this opportunity.

Most of Zambia lies between 1,000 and 1,500 metres above sea level, resulting in a pleasant climate which is relatively mild and only moderately humid compared to most tropical countries.

The early summer is an excellent time to visit, when the weather varies from hot, sunny and dry, to more overcast days. Midday temperatures in December are normally in the range of 25-35C (75-95F) but may be significantly higher in the low-lying Zambezi Valley.

Our tour is timed to run during Zambia’s early summer which is the transition from the dry to the wet seasons, the period with maximum bird and other biological activity. Summer rains are gradually setting in and we can expect to have rain on some of the days, especially in the north, which may be heavy on occasion.

In common with all tropical regions, mosquitos are present throughout the year in Zambia, particularly around dawn and dusk. You are advised to check about malaria preventions.

Birds 300-400 species

Mammals 20-30 species

ACCOMMODATION
Fifteen nights accommodation in good standard, mid-range hotels and lodges with all rooms having western-style private facilities and many of them having wifi. There will be no camping on this tour.

In some of the more remote locations, the accommodation may be more basic but we always use the best option which is available.

MEALS
All main meals are included in the tour price (and with drinking water also provided), commencing with dinner on arrival in Zambia on Day 1 and concluding with either breakfast or lunch on Day 17 depending on flight schedules.

Breakfast and dinners will usually be taken at the hotels and we may have packed lunches on some days (plus the odd packed breakfast) but other lunches may be taken at a convenient restaurant along the way.

WALKING
The walking effort is mostly easy. Much of the birding on this tour is along roadsides, tracks and forest trails. There will be some wetter or uneven sections in the tracks, although these are usually quite short.

The longest walk will be in the undulating terrain of Mutinondo Wilderness where there may be the opportunity to go up to 4 kms in each direction, however, there will be the option to make this a shorter walk for those who wish.

Comfortable, lightweight walking shoes or boots with stout soles and good grip are recommended.

GROUND TRANSPORT
By air-conditioned extended 4×4 safari vehicle.