Exclusive Birding Tour Wild

Ghana, Accra, Shai Hills Reserve, Winniba Plains, Kakum Canopy Walk, Nsuta Reserve Forest, Ankasa Forest, Brenu Beach, Cape Coast, Sushen Forest, Opuro Forest, Mole National Park, Kumasi, Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary, Tafo, Atewa Forest, Accra.

January 2019 – December 2019

23 Day

1 ITINERARY GHANA

Days Destination Summary

Day 1 Arrival Ghana We will meet and proceed to by road to Accra Accra Overnight Hotel Erata Day 2 Shai Hills Reserve Birding on route Winniba Plains Overnight Hans Cottage Botel Day 3 & 4 Kakum Canopy Walk and Birding the area Surroundings Overnight Hans Cottage Botel Day 5 & 6 Nsuta Reserve Forest Birding on route Overnight Hotel D & A Lodge Day 7 & 8 Ankasa Forest Birding the area Overnight Hotel Frenchman’s Lodge Day 9 Ankasa via Birding on route Brenu Beach Road Overnight Hans Cottage Botel To Cape Coast Day 10 Sushen Forest Birding the area and Overnight Hotel Bebevan Lodge Bonkro Village Day 11 New Edubease Forest Birding the area Overnight Hotel Bebevan Lodge Day 12 Opuro Forest Birding on route Overnight Mole Motel Day 13 & 14 Mole National Park Birding on route Overnight Mole Motel

Day 15 Mole National Park Birding on route To Overnight Sandgardens Lodge Tongo Hills – Bolgatanga Day 16 Bolgatanga Birding on route To Overnight Sandgardens Lodge Tono Dam White Volta Day 17 Bolgatana to Kumasi Birding the area Overnight Excelsa Lodge Day 18 Bopiri Butterfly Sanctuary Birding the area to Overnight Hotel Royal Bluemich Tofo Day 19 & 20 Atewa Forest Birding on route Overnight Hotel Royal Bluemich

Day 21 Kalakpa Reserve Forest Birding the area Overnight Hotel Bob Kofi Day 22 Chenku Falls – Sakumono Lagoon Birding the area Overnight Hotel Bob Kofi Day 23 Departure

Tour Concludes

2 Day 1 : Arrival Ghana - Accra

Akwaaba - (Welcome) to Ghana You will be met and welcomed at the Airport and transfer to friend hotel for good nights rest. Ghana , country of western Africa , situated on the coast of the Gulf of . Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. In addition to being known for its lush forests, diverse life, and miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast, Ghana is also celebrated for its rich history—its habitation possibly dating from 10,000 BCE—and as a fascinating repository of cultural heritage. The country takes it name from the great medieval trading empire that was located northwest of the modern-day state until its demise in the 13th century. Direct sea trade with Europe, established in the 15th century, had much impact on the area’s inhabitants, many of whom actively traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and other Europeans. Forts and castles, many of which still dot the Ghanaian coast today, were constructed by Europeans to protect their trade interests. Although trading was originally centred on the gold that was readily available in the area (and from which the future British colony the Gold Coast would take its name), the focus shifted to the lucrative slave trade in the 17th century. The area later became known for growing cacao , the source of cocoa beans. Introduced there in the late 19th century, cacao continues to provide an important export for Ghana.

White-necked Rock Fowl (Yellow Headed Picarthartes) Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Accra

Hotel Erata - Accra

3 Overnight Hotel Erata . Day 2 : Shai Hills Reserve Winniba Plains

Your tour will kick start today morning. After early breakfast we shall depart to Shai hills, an open Grassland with Rock forming good environment that provides different kinds of and Mammal species like White-crowned Cliff Chat, Stone Partridge, Purple-, Blue-bellied Roller, Black-bellied Bustard, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Long-crested Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard, Winchat, Flapped Lark, Rock Martin, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Croaking-, Short winged Cisticola, Lanner Falcon, Parrot, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Yellow-winged Pytilia, Barn Owl, African Barred Owlet, Blackcap Babbler, Double-spurred Francolin, Splendid Sunbird and may more will be recorded here.

After a superb morning we will go for our lunch and start heading to Cape Coast after we have enjoyed our lunch. Along the way we will visit Muni lagoon and Winniba plains where we will add incredible number of Birds to our list before we make our way to Cape Coast.

Blue -bellied Roller Black -capped Babbler Brown -throated Wattle -eye Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Winchat Barred Owlet Double-spurred Spurfowl Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Hans Cottage Botel

Overnight at Hans Cottage Botel 4 Day 3 : Kakum Canopy Walk & Surrounds

We shall depart for the world famous canopy walkway at after an early breakfast. Kakum is the leading destination for birdwatching in Ghana. A wonderful World of amazing canopy species awaits you out there. Kakum has different entrances like the Canopy walkway, Antwikwaa, Sushen, Aboabo road, Jawari road, Brimso water works which your days will allow you to visit these sites. We aim to get there early morning to spend the most critical bird viewing hours on the canopy walkway trying to see and photograph many mouth watering species like Black Dwarf hornbill, Violet- backed Hyliota, White-crested Hornbill, Congo Serpent Eagle, Cassin`s Hawk Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Tit Hylia, African Piculet, Forest Wood- hoopoe, Black Casqued Hornbill, Red-tailed-, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Western Bearded Greenbul, Brown and Puvel`s Illadopsis, Buff-throated-, Johanna`s-, Tiny and Olive-bellied Sunbird, Ussher`s Flycatcher, Blue Cuckoo-shrike, Black and Rosy Bee-eater, Cassin`s and Willcocks`s Honeyguide, Sharp`s Apalis, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, West African Batis ,Hairy- breasted Barbet, Finsch`s Flycatcher Thrush, Western Nicator, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Orange-, Vieillot`-, Maxwell`s Black Weaver, Icterine Greenbul, Fraser`s and Akun Eagle-owl, Red Chested Goshawk, African Cuckoo Hawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Black and white Flycatcher, Blue- throated Roller, Yellow-billed Turaco, Little and Little Grey Greenbul, Cassin`s and Sabine`s Spinetail, White-spotted Flufftail, Marsh Tchagra, Red-winged Prinia, African Pygmy-, Chocolate-backed-, Blue-breasted-, African Dwarf and Giant Kingfisher, Red-rumped-, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Little Green-, Fire-bellied and Buff -spotted Woodpecker, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-headed-, Red-vented-, Crested and Blue-billed Malimbe, Preuss`s and Yellow-mantled Weaver, Red-tailed Greenbul.

Kakum Canopy Walk

Rufous-crowned Eremomela White-throated Bee-eater Pied Hornbill Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Hans Cottage Botel 5 Day 4 : Kakum Canopy Walk & Surrounds (Continued)

Some of the species we hope to view : White-breasted-, Grey-headed and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, Peregrine Falcon, Piping Hornbill, Whistling Cisticola, Great Spotted-, Black-, Levaillant`s Didric-, and Klaas`s and African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Swift, Malachite Kingfisher, Rock Pratincole, White-bibbed Swallow, White- headed Lapwing, Tambourine Dove, Blue- headed and Blue-spotted Wood Dove, African Green Pigeon, Guinea Turaco, Preuss`s Cliff Swallow, Compact Weaver, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Simple-, Plain and Ansorge`s Greenbul, Palmnut and Hooded Vulture, African Harrier Hawk, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Grey-throated-, Dusky Blue-, Fraser`s Forest and Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Barn and Ethiopian Swallow, Green-headed Sunbird, Northern Fiscal, Lesser Striped Swallow, Green Crombec, Kemp`s and Grey Longbill, Fraser`s-, Western Olive Sunbird, Swamp Greenbul, Western Bluebill, Black and white Mannikin, Orange- cheeked Waxbill, Black-winged Bishop, Copper-tailed Glossy-, Chestnut-winged Starling, Black-winged-, Western Black-headed Oriole, Sooty Boubou, Sabine`s Puffback, Collared-, Blue-throated Brown, Green and Little Green Sunbird, Forest , West African Wattle-eye, Shrike, Chestnut-capped and Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-browed and Olive-green Camaroptera, Honeyguide-, Golden-, Yellow-whiskered and Slender-billed Greenbul, Rufous-chested Swallow, Fanti and Square-tailed Saw-wing, Melancholy -, Brown-eared Woodpecker, Yellow-footed Honeyguide, Naked-faced-, Yellow-billed and Yellow-spotted Barbet, Speckled Tinkerbird, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Red-billed Helmet-shrike, Little Bee-eater, Brown Nightjar, Black-throated Coucal, Blue Malkoha, Red-fronted Parrot, Latham`s Forest Francolin, Ayres`s Hawk-eagle, European Honey Buzzard including others will be seen.

Green Hylia Red-headed Malimbe Grey Longbill All photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

White-faced Bee-eater Pied Hornbill Rufous-crowned Eremomela All photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Hans Cottage Botel 6 Day 5 & 6 : Nsuta Reserve Forest

Nsuta Reserve Forest

An excellent forest about an hour drive from our guesthouse, this secondary semi deciduous forest protects a plethora of quality species that will enhance our list and overall experience.

Species we hope to see and photograph here includes Red-billed Helmetshrike, White-crested-, Dwarf Bittern, Bristle-nosed Barbet, Spot-breasted Ibis, Western Bronze-napped-, Afep Pigeon, Bates`s Swift, Blue-headed Coucal, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, White-tailed Ant Thrush, White-headed Wood-hoopoe, African Wood Owl, Yellow-bearded Greenbul, Bat Hawk, Narrow-tailed Starling, Yellow White-eye, Blackcap Illadopsis, Tessmann`s Flycatcher, Green Hylia, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Fire-crested Alethe, Spotted Greenbul, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Spotted Honeyguide, Black- collared Lovebird, Red-tailed Greenbul, Black Dwarf Hornbill, African Piculet, Naked-faced Barbet, Kemp`s Longbill, Black Bee-eater, Forest Wood-hoopoe, Piping Hornbill, Akun Eagle-owl, Western Bearded Greenbul, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black Spinetail, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Pale- breasted Illadopsis, Common Swift, Congo Serpent Eagle, Western Nicator, Icterine Greenbul, White-spotted Flufftail, Western Bluebill, Long-tailed Hawk, Black-throated Coucal among others will be encountered here.

Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Black Dwarf Hornbill Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Black-headed Coucal Purple-throated Cuckoo Shrike Hairy-breasted Barbet Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at D & A Lodge 7 Day 7 & 8 : Ankasa Forest

Ankansa Forest Our target for the day is Nkulengu Rail, We will be going all out to locate this rare species in the early morning hours. We will be searching for many Upper Guinea Endemics such as Hartlaub`s Duck, White-breasted Guineafowl, Yellow-casqued Hornbill, African Finfoot, Shining Blue-, White- bellied Kingfisher, Cassin`s Flycatcher, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Olive Long-tailed-, Dusky Long- tailed Cuckoo, Great Blue Turaco, White-throated Greenbul, Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Shining Drongo, Forest Robin, African Darter, Red-fronted Antpecker, Red-headed Quelea, Carmelite-, Reichenbach`s Sunbird, White-browed Forest Flycatcher, Red-chested Owlet, Common Cuckoo, Grey-throated Rail, Crested Guineafowl, Yellow-bearded-, Western-bearded Greenbul, African Pygmy Goose, Blackcap Illadopsis, Congo Serpent Eagle, European Honey Buzzard, Red-billed Helmet-shrike, Buff-spotted-, Fire bellied Woodpecker, African Emerald Cuckoo, Cassin`s Spinetail, Square-tailed Saw-wing, White-tailed Rufous-, Finsch`s Flycatcher Thrush, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Blue-headed Wood Dove, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Akun-, Fraser`s Eagle-owl, Red vented-, Blue-billed and Crested Malimbe, Orange Weaver, Narina`s Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Red- bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Ayres`s Hawk Eagle, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Western Olive-, Fraser`s Sunbird, Black Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Turaco, Fire-crested Alethe, Western Black-headed-, Black-winged Oriole, Swamp Greenbul, Green-headed Sunbird, Golden Greenbul, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Red-fronted Parrot and more incredible species will be seen here.

Reichenbach’s Sunbird Nkulengu Rail Hartlaub’s Duck All photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Red-vented Malimbe Dwarf Red-billed Hornbill Buff-spotted Woodpecker All photos courtesy of Maans Booysen Overnight at Frenchman’s Lodge 8 Day 9 : Ankasa to Brenu Beach Road Cape Coast

Ankasa Forest A final morning at Ankasa forest to search for Species we have missed or had a brief look and get better views and quality photos of species like Yellow-billed Turaco, Little-, Little Grey Greenbul, Cassin`s-, Sabine`s Spinetail, White-spotted Flufftail, Marsh Tchagra, Red-winged Prinia, African Pygmy-, Chocolate-backed-, African Dwarf-, and Giant Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Blue- breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Little Green-, Fire-bellied and Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Pin- tailed Whydah, Red Headed-, Red Vented-, Crested and Blue-billed Malimbe, Preuss`s and Yellow- mantled Weaver, Red-tailed Greenbul, White-breasted-, Grey-headed and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, Peregrine Falcon, Piping Hornbill, Whistling Cisticola, Great-spotted-, Black-, Levaillant`s and African Emerald Cuckoo, Common Swift, Didric and Klaas`s Cuckoo, before we make our way to Cape coast.

Dwarf Kingfisher Vieillot’s Black Weaver Yellow-mantled Weaver Blue-billed Malimbe Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Hans Cottage Botel

Overnight at Hans Cottage Botel 9 Day 10 : Sushen forest - Bonkro Village

Today is the big day. We will be visiting the White Necked Rock-fowl nesting site, please make sure that you have enough memory cards. We will check out of our hotel after an early breakfast and set off for Sushen forest where we will be targeting some key species we missed at Kakum National park and get better look at them. It is hard to contain your excitement this day as these legendary prehistoric looking birds hop and jump on the rocks and preening themselves just meters from your eyes giving photographers amongst you a busy time. We will therefore make our way to our lodge to celebrate the number 1 target bird of the trip and go to bed with much joy and excitement.

White-necked Rock Fowl (Yellow Headed Picarthartes) Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Bebevan Lodge 10 Day 11 : New Edubease Forest

New Edubease Forest

An incredible forest at around this area will be visited for superb and number of species like Long- tailed Hawk, Congo Serpent Eagle, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Black-throated Coucal, African Goshawk, Emerald-, Class`s-, Thick-billed and Didric Cuckoo, Greenbul, Sunbirds, Tit Hylia, African Piculet, Little Green-, Gabon-, Fire-bellied and Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Blue-headed-, Blue-spotted Wood-dove, Tambourine Dove awaits you, Western Bronze-napped Pigeon, Red-chested Goshawk, African Cuckoo-hawk, Red-thighed Sparrow-hawk, Black and white Flycatcher, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow- billed Turaco, Little and Little Grey Greenbul, Cassin`s and Sabine`s Spinetail, White-spotted Flufftail, Marsh Tchagra, Red-winged Prinia, African Pygmy-, Chocolate-backed, African Dwarf and Giant Kingfisher, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Little Green-, Fire bellied and Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-headed-, Red-vented-, Crested and Blue-billed Malimbe, Preuss`s and Yellow-mantled Weaver, Red-tailed Greenbul, White- breasted-, Grey-headed and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, Peregrine Falcon, Piping Hornbill, Whistling Cisticola, Narrow-tailed Starling, Bristle-nosed Barbet just to mention few of the incredible species around.

We will make our way to Bobiri forest for our afternoon section of our day to add more species to our list.

Blue-spotted Wood Dove Whistling Cisticola Blue-throated Roller Rufous-sided Broadbill Crested Malimbe Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Excelsa Lodge 11 Day 12 : Opuro Forest

Oporu Forest Today is dedicated for Opuro forest. It is again a very important site for us being a well-known habitat for much sought after Long-tailed Hawk .We will be scanning the forest for many species that we have missed out in other areas like Superb Sunbird, Lesser Moorhen, Grey-headed Bristlebill, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Black Sparrow-hawk, Northern Puffback, Northern Red Bishop, Little Grey Flycatcher, Wood-warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Broad-billed Roller, Lesser Honeyguide, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Pied Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Village Indigobird, Common House Martin, Cassin`s Spinetail, Northern Crombec, Lizard Buzzard, Black and white Flycatcher, African Thrush, Velvet- mantled Drongo, White-spotted Flufftail, Black Crake, Village- and Vieillot`s Weaver, Copper Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Bearded Barbet, Black Cuckoo, Red-fronted Parrot, African Hobby, African Mustached Warbler, Red-billed Firefinch, Purple-, Blue- bellied Roller, Gabar Goshawk, Purple Glossy Starling, Mosque Swallow, Yellow-billed Kite and more before we proceed to Mole National Park.

Bearded Barbet Broad-billed Roller Scarlet-chested Sunbird Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Patas Monkey Egyptian Plover Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Mole Motel

Overnight at Mole Motel 12 Day 13 : Mole National Park

Mole National Park

After an early breakfast we set off for an interesting forest in a transitional zone between the southern wetter forest and northern drier woodland habitats where we will find some quality species. It will be one of the difficult birding sorties you may take in this tour, but you will be happy with the walk when you get to see many regional specials within close ranges and get clean photographs.

Species possible to see here include Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Denham`s Bustard, Forbes`s Plover, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Banded Snake-eagle, Brown Snake-eagle, Egyptian Vulture, , White-headed Vulture, African Scops Owlet, White-faced Owl, White-backed Vulture, Beaudouin`s Snake-eagle, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Violet Turaco, Oriole Warbler, Abyssinian Roller, Red-necked Falcon, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Marabou-, Yellow-billed-, Wooly-necked-, White and Saddle- billed Stork, Bruce`s Green Pigeon, Rufous-rumped Lark, White fronted Black Chat, African Hawk- eagle, African Cuckoo, Black-bellied Bustard, Common Redstart, Familiar Chat, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Bearded Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Wire-tailed Swallow, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Long-tailed Starling, African Fish-, Tawny -, Booted and Wahlberg`s Eagle, African Blue Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Pel`s Fishing Owl, Northern Red-billed Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon, Red-shouldered Cuckoo- shrike, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-headed Lovebird, Brubru, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Spotted Creeper, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Black-billed Wood-dove, Stone Partridge, Double-spurred-and White-throated Francolin,

Double-toothed Barbet Red Shouldered Brown Babbler Black-faced Firefinch Black-billed Wood Dove Cuckooshrike Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Mole National Park

Overnight at Mole Motel 13 Day 14 : Mole National Park

Mole National Park

Fork-tailed Drongo, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Eurasian Hoopoe, Black Scimitarbill, Beautiful-, Pygmy- and Scarlet- chested Sunbird, Red billed-, Black-faced and Black-bellied Firefinch, Lavender and Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Blackcap and Brown Babbler, White-crowned and Snowy crowned Robin-chat, Black-crowned and White-backed Night Heron, Red-throated Bee-eater, Bush Petronia, Yellow-fronted Canary, Little Weaver, Yellow- mantled Widowbird, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Barka-, Wilson`s Indigobird, Exclamatory Paradise and paradise Whydah, Spur-winged Goose, Green Wood-hoopoe, Swamp Flycatcher, Standard-winged-, Long tailed-, and Freckled Nightjar, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Long-crested Eagle, African Cuckoo-hawk, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Black-headed Heron, African Darter, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bateleur, Cabanis`s Bunting, Red-cheeked Cordonblue, Red-winged-, Yellow-winged Pytilia, Northern Red Bishop, Red-headed Weaver, Red-headed Quelea, Violet-backed Starling, Tropical Boubou, White Helmet-shrike, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Gambaga-, Pied Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Rufous Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Whinchat, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Sun lark, Grey and Cardinal Woodpecker, Greater and Lesser Honeyguide, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Helmeted Guinea-fowl and including others that will be captured here.

Abyssian Roller Violet Turaco Fine-spotted Woodpecker Blue-crested Flycatcher Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

White-crowned Robin-chat Forbe’s Plover Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Mole Motel 14 Day 15 : Mole National Park to Tongo Hills - Bolgatanga

Mole National Park - Tongo Hills - Bolgatanga

We shall depart from Mole to Bolgatanga today.

Along the way we will visit Tongo hill to add some special species associated to this site like Fox Kestrel, Rock-loving Cisticola, African Silver bill, Booted Eagle, Red-necked Falcon, Black-headed Weaver, Montagu’s Harrier, Greater Painted Snipe, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Common Snipe, Village Indigobird, Bush Petronia, Yellow-fronted Canary, Little Weaver, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Wilson`s Indigobird, Exclamatory -, Togo Paradise Whydah, Spur-winged Goose, Green Wood hoopoe, Swamp Flycatcher, Standard-winged and Freckled nightjar, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Long-tailed Nightjar, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Long-crested Eagle, African Cuckoo Hawk, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Black-headed Heron, African Darter, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bateleur, Barka Indigobird, Cabanis`s Bunting, Red-cheeked Cordonblue, Red-winged-, Yellow-winged Pytilia, Northern Red Bishop, Red-headed Weaver, Red-headed Quelea, Violet-backed Starling and Red-billed Firefinch including others to our list before we get to Bolgatanga.

Grasshopper Buzzard Swamp Warbler Longtailed Nightjar Standard Wing Nightjar Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Tongo Hills Bolgatanga

Overnight at Sandgardens Lodge 15 Day 16 : Bolgatana to Tono Dam – White Volta

Tono Dam - White Volta

After early breakfast we set off to Tono dam where we will see and photograph species like African Mourning Dove, Black-bellied Bustard, Spur-winged Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Chestnut-bellied Starling, Yellow Penduline Tit, Speckled-fronted Weaver, Standard-winged Nightjar, White Helmetshrike, Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Martial-, Long-crested Eagle, White-fronted Black Chat, Denham’s bustard, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, African Fish Eagle, Black-faced Quailfinch, Garbar Goshawk, Four-banded Sandgrouse . After an incredible morning birding we will return back to Bolgatanga for our delicious lunch and make our way to Egyptian Plover site for our second target of the trip and more other species like White-billed Buffalo Weaver, White-headed Lapwing, Speckled Pigeon, Greater Blue-eared-, Bronze-tailed Starling, Green Bee-eater, Red Chested Swallow among other good species around.

Lake Volta

Denham's Bustard Black Bellied Bustard Knob-billed Duck Martial Eagle Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Sandgardens Lodge 16 Day 17 : Bolgatana to Kumasi

Bolgatana to Kumasi

Today is a running day, after breakfast we shall depart Bolgatanga for Kumasi and stop a couple of times along the way to add some more birds to our list.

Woodchat Shrike, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Senegal Parrot, Red-headed Lovebird.

Depending on the time we will arrive at Kumasi we shall bird Bobiri forest in the evening.

Yellow-crowned Gonolek Rose-ringed Parakeet Photos Maans Booysen

Mona Monkey Western Black & White Colobus Monkey Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Excelsa Lodge 17 Day 18 : Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary

Bobiri Forest Reserve and Butterfly Sanctuary is an ecotourism centre in Ghana and the only butterfly sanctuary in . It has about 400 species of butterflies. Bobiri forest is one of the popular sites in Ghana where a number of Birds can be seen including a huge number of Butterflies which will add more taste to the tour. After early breakfast we will set off to Bobiri for some significant forest species like Narina`s Trogon, African Grey Parrot, Long-tailed Hawk, Narrow-tailed Starling, Tit Hylia, Forest Wood- hoopoe, Black Sparrow-hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Red-billed Helmet-shrike, Western Nicator, Dove, Dusky Tit, Deidrick's and Klaas`s Cuckoo, Tambourine Dove, Blue-headed and Blue- spotted Wood, African Green Pigeon, Guinea Turaco, Preuss`s Cliff Swallow, Compact Weaver, Simple-, Plain and Ansorge`s Greenbul, Palmnut and Hooded Vulture, African Harrier Hawk, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Grey-throated-, Dusky Blue-, Fraser`s Forest and Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Barn and Ethiopian Swallow, Green-headed Sunbird, African Cuckoo Hawk, Black- throated Coucal, Little Grey Flycatcher, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Blue Cuckoo-shrike, Black- winged Oriole just to mention few.

Black-winged Oriole Deidrick's Cuckoo Palmnut Vulture Black Sparrow-hawk Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Hotel Royal Bluemich 18 Day 19 & 20 : Atewa Forest

Atewa forest

An early start as we head back into the Upper Guinea Rainforest habitat where so many of Ghana’s sought after special species are found. This morning we hope to see Tit Hylia, Green Hylia, Magpie Manikin, Narina’s Trogon, Red billed Dwarf and Black Dwarf Hornbills, African Grey and Red-fronted Parrot, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Blue Mustached-, Black Bee-eater, Black- throated Coucal, Golden-backed Weaver, Dusky Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Green Crombec, Kemp`s and Grey Longbill, Fraser`s-, Western Olive Sunbird, Swamp Greenbul, Western Bluebill, Black and white Manikin, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Black-winged Bishop, Copper-tailed Glossy-, Chestnut-winged Starling, Black-winged -, Western Black Headed Oriole, Sooty Boubou, Sabine`s Puffback, Collared-, Blue Throated Brown-, Green-, Little Green Sunbird, Forest Penduline Tit, West African Wattle-eye, Shrike, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-browed and Olive Green Camaroptera, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Grey-headed and Red-tailed Bristlebill and the much sought after Yellow-footed Honeyguide , Black-necked-, Maxwell`s Black-, Compact and Grosbeak Weaver, Whistling Cisticola, Black-crowned and Marsh Tchagra, African Emerald-, Klaas’s-, Levaillant’s- , Yellow-throated and Deidrick's Cuckoo, Red- bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Western Bluebill, Tessmann’s Flycatcher and if we are lucky Baumann’s Greenbul among others will be seen.

Black-winged Bishop Orange-cheeked Waxbill Yellow-browed Camaroptera Violet Turaco Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Red-cheeked Wattle-eye African Copper Sunbird African Golden Oriole African paradise Flycatcher Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Hotel Royal Bluemich 19 Day 21 : Kalakpa Forest

Kalakpa Reserve Forest

Another good spot in Ghana where a lot of species can be observed like Capuchin Babbler, Red- cheeked Wattle-eye, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Blue-shoulder Robin Chat, African Mustached Warbler, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Brown-necked Parrot, Green Wood- hoopoe, Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Striped Kingfisher, White-throated Francolin, African Golden Oriole, Blue-bellied Roller, Double-spurred Francolin, Baumann`s Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul, European Bee-eater, Splendid-, Copper Sunbird, Greater Spotted Cuckoo, Guinea-, Violet Turaco just to mention few.

Images Kakakpa Forest

Greater-spotted Cuckoo Maans Booysen

Copper Sunbird Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Moustached Warbler Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Hotel Bob Kofi 20 Day 22 : Chenku Falls – Sakumono Lagoon

Chenku waterfalls - Sakumono Lagoon This is an outstanding site where we will see both Residential and Migratory shore birds like Kittlitz`s Plover, African Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Black-, Squacco-, Purple-, Green backed-, Grey Heron, Great White-, Intermediate-, Cattle-, Little Egret, African Wattled-, Spur- winged Lapwing, Whimbrel, Royal-, Common-, Little-, Sandwich-, Black-, Gull-billed Tern, Zitting-, Winding Cisticola, Great Swamp Warbler, Red Knot, Ruff, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Northern Pintail, White-faced Whistling Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Western Marsh Harrier, Yellow-billed Kite, Common-, Wood-, Marsh and Green Sandpiper, Collared Pratincole, Yellow- billed Shrike, Eurasian Oystercatcher, America Golden Plover, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Cormorant, Little Stint, Kentish Plover and more.

After an incredible day at Sakumono lagoon we will head to the hotel to have a shower and enjoy some nice meal before making our way to the Airport to say good bye to Ghana.

Sakumono Lagoon Chenku Falls

Glossy Ibis Gull-billed Tern Ruddy Turnstone Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Spur-wing Lapwing Pied Avocet Common Redshank Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen

Overnight at Erata Hotel 21 Day 23 : Departure

Accra , capital and largest city of Ghana , on the Gulf of Guinea (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean ). The city lies partly on a cliff, 25 to 40 feet (8 to 12 metres) high, and spreads northward over the undulating Accra plains. The area’s susceptibility to faulting is the cause of occasional earthquakes.

We venture back home today having spent 23 days viewing Birds and Wildlife We sincerely hope that you have had some fun whilst increasing your Life lists. We thank our local community Tour Leader - Maans Booysen for sharing his knowledge with us.

“If we are willing to be still and open enough to listen, wilderness itself will teach us”. Steven Harper

We sincerely hope we have enriched your trip with a unique Escape to the Wild….

22 Important Info

This price includes

Accommodation All meals 2 litres water per day All Guiding fees Tolls Fuel Park Entrance fees Transportation will be in a 4 x 4 Air-conditioned vehicle Tour price quoted is per person sharing Single supplement can be arranged at an additional cost (+- 25% additional)

This price excludes

Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks All / any Airfares Visas Internet, laundry, phone calls, room service etc. Personal travel / medical insurance (we highly recommend you take Travel insurance in case of any emergency). Gratuities (tips)

Important Information

Please keep all your valuables safe, secure and insured. Due to unforeseen circumstances we may be forced to alter our itinerary at short or no notice however we will try our best to stick to the original tour programme.

Travel Tips

Ensure you have packed a torch and extra batteries It can be cooler in the early mornings and evenings therefore ensure you have a warm jacket, scarf, etc. Ensure you travel with all your medication including a Prescription’s from your Doctor. Binoculars, Camera’s etc. Comfortable walking / hiking shoes that cover your entire foot.

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