Mozambique Travel > Birding

Birding

Mozambique is fast becoming the destination to visit for birders. It has vast unspoilt areas and is unexplored by many. Renewed access to Mozambique after years of isolation by civil war has provided exciting possibilities for birders and the central and southern parts of the country.

Birders travelling in Mozambique will need to be largely self-sufficient, and preferably travel in more than one vehicle, including at least one four-wheel-drive. Landmines remain a concern, although it is possible to enquire locally as to which areas are well-established to be safe. The country still offers much untapped potential to adventurous birders, and every trip turns up many exciting species from both a southern African and global perspective.

Ibo Island Lodge Birding

Ibo Island Lodge lies in the north which still remains unconquered and there is lots to discover for birders. Ibo sits in a breathtakingly beautiful and unique location surrounded by Indian ocean and coral reefs, the Quirimbas National Park and one of the largest groves of mangroves in Africa. A guided walk is one of the best ways to discover Ibo’s varied flora and fauna and outstanding bird life.  Early to mid morning or later in the afternoons is best recommended when it is generally cooler for walking.  Walks can be tailor made to suit your specific interests and are arranged with your guide the day before.

Gorongosa National Park Birding

Birding at Gorongosa National Park is really an experience. This proposed itinerary details what the guest might experience in terms of the actual walking safari and the birding experience. Our highly experienced host (Zimbabwean professional guide) will introduce you, during your stay at Explore Gorongosa, to some incredible birding specials that are available in the region (many of them quite ubiquitous in the right places). Your time with us at Explore Gorongosa will also take in much of the re-emerging wildlife of Gorongosa National Park, as well as being a chance to wind down and enjoy some much-needed getaway-from-the-world time!

Niassa Reserve Birding

Niassa Reserve lies in the vast region incorporating Northern Mozambique and Southern Tanzania is a relatively untapped treasure-chest for African avitourism. Niassa Reserve, a 42,000km2 nationally protected reserve (Mozambique’s largest) is situated between the Rovuma & Lugenda Rivers in the far north of Mozambique. The reserve is part of the greater Niassa-Selous TFCA which, combined, is the greatest conservation area in Africa, with highly significant populations of wild dog, sable antelope, other endemic antelope species, birds, amphibians, reptiles, vegetation and aquatic species. Four bird species that are designated as globally threatened (BirdLife 2000) have significant populations in the Niassa Reserve, namely the Taita Falcon, Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, African Skimmer and Stierling's Woodpecker. Other exciting species of the Niassa region include the enigmatic and elusive Dapplethroat, Thyolo Alethe and both Long-billed & White-winged Apalis. Read more for a sample safari of 8 - 10 days.

Benguerra Lodge Birding

Gorgeous African sunsets, solitude and peace are a reality at Benguerra Lodge.  Guests can choose to do as little, or as much, as they want...  Relax on unspoiled and uncrowded beaches or dive the pristine, uncharted depths.  Take a walk through the indigenous forest and enjoy excellent bird watching, or have a castaway picnic on a remote stretch of beach.

Bird Life in Mozambique

In addition to numerous mouth-watering species peripheral and localised in more accessible Zimbabwe and South Africa, the lowland forests and miombo woodlands of central and southern Mozambique offer some of the best sites globally for such species as Olive-headed Weaver, Green-headed Oriole, Blue-throated Sunbird, East Coast Akalat, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, White-breasted Alethe, African Pitta and Locust Finch, and are the wintering grounds of the localised Mascarene Martin. Furthermore, the coast offers such tropical delights as wintering Crab Plover & Greater Frigatebird. The most popular areas for birding are, in central Mozambique, the highland forests of Mount Gorongosa, and the woodlands and lowland forests between Beira and the Zambezi. Further south, excellent birding is to be had in the woodlands around Panda and along coast around Inhambane, Vilanculos and Bazaruto Island.

The vast area of Mozambique north of the Zambezi has remained virtually unexplored since Jack Vincent`s explorations there in the 1930s. Access to the region is however reasonably good, and a 1998 expedition to Mount Namuli near Gurue re-discovered the country`s only endemic, Namuli Apalis, hitherto unseen since its 1932 discovery and found to be still thriving in the forests of this truly spectacular massif. Other exiciting species of the northern forests include the enigmatic and elusive Dapplethroat, Thyolo Alethe and, on Mount Chiperone further south, White-winged Apalis.