Best of Birding 18th to 27th January 2018 (13 days)

African Pitta by Hugh Chittenden

Zimbabwe is justly famous as a superb birding destination that leaves one with a lasting impression of having experienced the real 'wild .' Pristine wilderness areas, spectacular landscapes and an amazing variety of ecosystems make Zimbabwe a natural history paradise. The diversity of habitats is astounding and ranges from open grassland and afro-montane evergreen forest to broad- leaved Mopani and Miombo woodlands, gallery forest and seasonal wetlands, which together host a large and impressive variety of and game. Our tour to this under-birded African destination has been specially designed to incorporate all of these diverse habitats, and we can expect some unrivalled birding experiences! RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 2

The superb Mopani and Miombo woodlands are home to a vast suite of avian specialities such as the smart Arnott’s , White-breasted , spectacular Racket-tailed Roller, localised Boulder Chat and Southern Hyliota, while we can expect seldom-seen and extremely localised like Chirinda Apalis, Roberts’s Warbler, the delightful Swynnerton’s Robin, Bronzy , Black- fronted and Cinnamon-breasted Tit in the picturesque Vumba Mountains of the Eastern Highlands which border . Another mouth-watering destination is the Honde Valley which also borders Mozambique. This valley will put us in direct contact with many species more restricted to the low-lying areas of Mozambique which otherwise, can be very hard to find. These include Marsh Tchagra, Lesser Seedcracker, Barred Long-tailed , Moustached Grass Warbler, Green-backed Woodpecker, Black-winged Red Bishop, Short-winged Cisticola, Red-winged Warbler and some highly localised species such as Scarce Swift and Singing Cisticola. Our tour then moves onto the extensive, seasonal wetlands and bird-rich Miombo woodland’s around the capital city of . Here localised specialities include Green-backed Honeybird, Whyte’s Barbet, African Spotted Creeper, Miombo and Miombo Double-collared Sunbird. We descend from the plateau once more into the Lower Zambezi Valley where our primary target will be the very sought after African Pitta. This under-birded wilderness also holds specials such as Böhm's Spinetail, Livingstone's Flycatcher, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Arnott's Chat and the sought after Big 5.

THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…

BEST OF BIRDING ZIMBABWE Day 1 Arrival in Harare, Zimbabwe Day 2 Harare to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Day 3 Great Zimbabwe Ruins and surrounds

Day 4 Great Zimbabwe Ruins to the Vumba Mountains (Eastern Highlands) Day 5 Vumba Mountains (Eastern Highlands) Day 6 Vumba Mountains (Eastern Highlands) to the Honde Valley Day 7 Honde Valley Day 8 Honde Valley to Harare Day 9 Harare and surrounds Day 10 Harare to Lower Zambezi Valley Days 11 & 12 Lower Zambezi Valley and surrounds Day 13 Lower Zambezi Valley to Harare and final departures

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 3

TOUR MAP

Best of Birding Zimbabwe

Boulder Chat by Hugh Chittenden Day 1: Arrival in Harare. Upon arrival in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, you will be met by a Rockjumper representative and transferred to our nearby lodge where we shall overnight. Time permitting, we shall explore the Harare National Botanical Gardens where Whyte’s Barbet visits the

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 4 fruiting fig trees, Miombo Double-collared, Variable and Copper may all be seen in the indigenous gardens. We will then settle into our overnight accommodations.

Day 2: Harare to Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This morning we will be given a bit of a taste of the capital city’s wet grassland specials within close proximity to our lodge. Depending on rainfall and conditions we might find several rare, secretive and erratic species like Striped and Spotted Crakes, Streaky- breasted Flufftail, Blue Quail and Locust Finch, which have made these wetlands famous within the local birding fraternity. These species are all regular and appear annually in the grasslands in and around Harare; however, they will only be present if there has been regular, recent rain and the Rosy-throated Longclaw by Cuan Rush seasonally flooded grasslands are shallowly inundated with water. Other regular visitors include African and Western Marsh Harriers, African Crake, Corn Crake, Greater Painted-snipe and African Snipe, Black Coucal, Marsh and Grass Owls, three species of Longclaw, including the highly sought-after and localised Rosy-throated Longclaw, Pale-crowned, Wing-snapping and the larger Croaking Cisticola, the parasitic and nomadic Cuckoo- finch, Orange-breasted Waxbill and Quailfinch. Other potential specials include Lesser Moorhen, Black-rumped Buttonquail, the colourful Yellow-mantled Widowbird and the smart Grey-rumped Swallow overhead.

After fuelling our bodies with a scrumptious breakfast we leave Harare and begin the picturesque drive south to the historical Great Zimbabwe Ruins. As we meander through Zimbabwe’s interior we will pass through a variety of habitats, including areas of extensive, moist grasslands. Passing through these grasslands, we will keep a lookout for Yellow-mantled Widowbird, the impressive Southern Ground Hornbill, highly endangered and superbly elegant Wattled Crane, Amur and Red-footed Falcons and Lesser Kestrel hunting in flocks overhead, before reaching our destination.

The Great Zimbabwe Ruins, near Lake Mutirikwi and the town of Mashing, is an ancient, large city ruin in the hilly south- east of the country and is truly spectacular and a site to behold! Constructed during the country’s Iron Age (11th to 14th century), it once served as the capital and royal palace of the Nzimabgwe monarch of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. At its prime, this ancient city could have housed up to 18,000 people and is now recognised as a World Heritage Site. The monument’s most prominent feature is its walls, some of which tower over five meters high and were constructed without mortar. Eventually, the Amur Falcon by Clayton Burne city was abandoned and re-established a little further west at what is now the city of

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 5

Bulawayo. At our accommodations, we may connect with Mocking Cliff Chat, White-necked Raven and Miombo Double-collared Sunbird.

Day 3: Great Zimbabwe Ruins and surrounds. The ruins, nestled within picturesque granite hills, are surrounded by lush Miombo forests. Miombo is the Swahili word for a type of habitat comprised predominantly of trees within the genus Brachystegia. These iconic trees, with their tall, straight trunks, branching out only at the end, are great for birding and contain many of Zimbabwe’s range-restricted species. This unique woodland is endemic to a small band across Southern and Central Africa from , through Wattled Cranes by Markus Lilje , across Zimbabwe to and Mozambique.

Mornings are most productive in this type of habitat and we will spend our first morning working through this pristine area. Specials that we will be searching for include Green-backed Honeybird, Cabanis's Bunting, African Golden Oriole, Wood Pipit, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Miombo Rock Thrush, African Cuckoo-Hawk and Black-eared Seedeater. Bird parties are regularly formed with large concentrations of mixed species moving steadily through the trees creating moments of confusion and awe simultaneously.

These bird parties could contain sought after species such as White-breasted and Grey , the brood parasitic Thick-billed Cuckoo and it’s brood-specific host - the Retz’s - while Brown-backed Honeybird, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Green-capped Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, Southern Hyliota, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Miombo Double-collared Sunbird, African Emerald Cuckoo and Scaly-throated Honeyguide may also be present. The impressive Boulder Chat might also be found atop the vast granite outcrops found in the surrounding green valleys.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and viewing the famous bird statues thought to be stylised versions of the African Fish Eagle. Mocking Cliff Chats scurry over the ruins and their calls resonate off the walls, while you may be rewarded for keeping an eye on the sky, where massive Silvery- cheeked Hornbill and screeching flocks of Grey- headed Parrots may fly Arnott’s Chat by Adam Riley

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 6 overhead. After a busy day, we shall return to the comfort of our accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4: Great Zimbabwe Ruins to the Vumba Mountains. After some final early morning birding and a well-deserved breakfast, we will make our way to the picturesque Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. Here we will be based for two nights at a luxurious and well-run hotel in the heart of the Vumba Mountains, or “mountains of the mist,” situated to the south-east of Mutare. An investigation of the surroundings may produce Roberts’s Warbler, Bronzy, Variable and Miombo Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape Robin- Chat and Stripe-cheeked Greenbul while Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Red-chested Chirinda Apalis by Adam Riley Flufftail may also be found near the various wetlands scattered in the region.

Day 5: Vumba Mountains. We have the entire day to explore the lush Afromontane forest that drapes The Vumba Mountains. Excellent birding can be had right around the hotel grounds and we shall be on the lookout for a host of specialities that inhabit these verdant forests. Livingstone’s Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, African Emerald Cuckoo, White-eared Barbet and African Olive Pigeon clamber around the forest canopy, while Lemon and Tambourine Doves, Buff-spotted Flufftail and Barratt’s Warbler inhabit the forest understory.

Mixed species flocks are a feature of these forests and could reveal the presence of Cape Batis, Black- fronted and Olive , Yellow-streaked and Stripe-cheeked Greenbuls, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, the shy and brilliant Orange Ground Thrush, Bar-throated Apalis, Dark-backed Weaver, Grey Cuckooshrike, White-tailed Crested and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers. The nearby Vumba Botanical Gardens are also an excellent place to explore.

Birding here is particularly enjoyable and a leisurely stroll through this botanical wonderland could produce many of the same species as mentioned above and may also yield several forest edge specialists like the elusive Red-faced Crimsonwing, brilliant Red-throated and Green Twinspots, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, African Firefinch and its host, Dusky Indigobird as well as an array of exquisite sunbirds that include Bronzy, Collared, Variable and Olive Sunbirds. Zimbabwe’s only two near-endemic birds also occur here, Roberts’s Warbler and Chirinda Apalis; both species only occurring here Swynnerton’s Robin by Adam Riley and in the inaccessible highland areas in

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 7 adjacent Mozambique. Two other avian gems that we will search for today are White-starred and the extremely localised and stunning Swynnerton’s Robin, which is restricted to a few Afro-montane forests in south-eastern and eastern Africa.

We’ll also pay special attention to the large raptors in the region. These include Crowned and Long-crested Eagles, Augur Buzzard while we may also glimpse erratic Mottled and Scarce Swifts, the endangered Blue Swallow and migrant Tree Pipits. Dense foliage and bracken covered forest edges host Cape Grassbird, Cape Robin-Chat and Singing Cisticola, while several species of mammal also occur in this area and include Bushbuck, the diminutive Blue Duiker, Blue Monkey, the Mutable Sun Squirrel and the rare Tree Civet, which can only be found here in the Southern African sub-region.

Day 6: Vumba Mountains to the Honde Valley. En route to our lodge nestled within the Honde Valley, we will bird a stretch of Miombo woodland around Christmas Pass, in search of some species that we might have missed. Brown- backed and Green-backed Honeybirds, Miombo and Cinnamon-breasted Tits, African Spotted Creeper, Miombo Rock Thrush, Whyte's Barbet, Red-faced Crombec, White- African Spotted Creeper breasted Cuckoo-, Orange-winged Pytilia, Black- by Matthew Matthiessen eared Seedeater and Cabanis’s Bunting are all good possibilities. Tree Pipit and Collared Flycatcher are rare migrants that are regularly found here and a watchful eye skyward may reward us with the stunning Augur Buzzard and Mottled Swift.

The Honde Valley adjacent to the Rhodes Inyanga National Park provides us with breathtaking scenic views while we may be fortunate to encounter Augur Buzzard, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill and even the critically endangered Blue Swallow as we descend the plateau.

Day 7: Honde Valley. The setting of our lodge for two nights is exquisite - deep within a valley, on the edge of a small mountain river that can produce its own hydro-electricity via a network of weirs and channels if need be. The hills surrounding the lodge are covered in scenic tea plantations and lush low- altitude forest that attracts a huge array of species typical of Zimbabwe's low-lying neighbour - Mozambique. We will spend our stay here focusing on these low-altitude species including Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Green-backed Woodpecker, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Red-winged Warbler, Pale Batis, Scarce Swift, Collared Palm-Thrush, Short-winged and Singing Cisticola, Eastern Saw- wing and even Eleonora's Falcon. In the damp areas, we will be searching for the highly localised Marsh Tchagra, Lesser Seedcracker, Moustached Grass Warbler and Black-winged Bishop. Other species Moustached Grass Warbler by Markus Lilje

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 8 that will happily entertain us during our exploration of this incredible area include Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Pallid Honeyguide, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, the exquisite Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, the bright Red-throated Twinspot, Green Twinspot, Yellow-bellied and Grey Waxbill, Palm-nut Vulture and the impressive Ayres's Hawk Eagle.

Day 8: Honde Valley to Harare. After some early morning birding around our lodge and a scrumptious breakfast with a scenic backdrop, we will make the 5-hour journey back to the capital city once more, birding at various points en route if time permits.

Day 9: Harare and surrounds. The morning’s expedition will see us head an hour out of Harare to an immaculate and pristine piece of Miombo Woodland. This is one of the strongholds of the dainty Spotted Creeper and good views should be had whilst it characteristically clambers upwards from the base of these Bronzy Sunbird by Adam Riley tall, straight trees. Good numbers of the localised and hard to find Wood Pipit are resident, and the rare migratory Collared Flycatcher also regularly puts in an appearance along with all the previous Miombo specialists. Copper, Variable and Western Violet-backed Sunbirds, Green Sandpiper, Shelley's and Coqui Francolin, as well as the Boulder Chat, will be highly sought after finds. Retreating to comfort in the heat of the day will become ritualistic, and this day will be no exception. As the heat subsides, our birding will continue in the surrounds of Harare.

Day 10: Harare to the Lower Zambezi Valley. Our next destination requires us to transfer to a 4X4 vehicle as we head north toward the rugged and largely unexplored region of the Lower Zambezi Valley. Arriving at our camp around lunch time, we’ll make ourselves at home, before exploring the truly spectacular wilderness area nestled along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This beautiful region teems with a wide variety of birds and mammals and harbours some of Africa’s most wonderful species. Here, lured by one of the very best opportunities anywhere in its entire range, we will go in search of one of Africa’s rarest and most highly-desired birds, the stunning African Pitta! While in this region we will focus most of our efforts on finding this very special and elusive species and many other highly desired and difficult African birds including Lilian’s Lovebird, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Nicator and the exquisite Livingstone’s Flycatcher.

While in this region we will be accompanied by an armed ranger at all times because this area is well known for its potentially dangerous mammals, especially elephant, buffalo and leopard, which roam the area Livingstone’s Flycatcher by Hugh Chittenden freely. The area is extremely rich in bird life

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 9 and harbours many specialities. In the Mopani, Acacia, Baobab and riparian woodlands that dominate the area we will be on the lookout for Crowned Eagle, Western Banded Snake Eagle, the crepuscular and easily over-looked Bat Hawk, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Lizard Buzzard, Cape and Meyer’s Parrots, noisy flocks of Lillian’s Lovebird, Flappet Lark, Bohm’s and Mottled Spinetails overhead, Southern Ground Hornbill, Broad- tailed Paradise Whydah, Cut-throat Finch, Purple and Village Indigobirds, the rare Zambezi Indigobird, dazzling Copper and Purple-banded Sunbirds, Racket-tailed Roller, Retz’s Helmetshrike and possibly its host, the rare and elusive Thick-billed Lillian’s Lovebird by Phil Perry Cuckoo.

Days 11 & 12: Lower Zambezi Valley. The next couple of days shall be spent birding in the surrounding woodland, focussing on areas of dense thickets with deep leaf litter along the dry riverbeds that criss-cross the region. This is the ideal habitat of the African Pitta and its favoured breeding grounds. Finding this special bird will involve very early morning departures, in order to reach their traditional display grounds at dawn when the pittas are most vocal.

The pitta’s display is a privilege to watch as the brilliantly coloured male launches himself from a horizontal branch whilst uttering its single liquid call note, only to parachute back down to its original spot in a splendid flash of colour in the dark understory of the forest; an experience never to be forgotten!

In these riparian thickets we will also search for Crested Guineafowl, the sought-after Livingstone’s Flycatcher, gorgeous Narina Trogon, African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, Bearded Scrub Robin, Collared Palm Thrush, vociferous but secretive Thrush Nightingale, immaculate Red-throated Twinspot, Jameson’s and Red-billed Firefinches and Orange-winged Pytilia. We may be lucky and bump into more Pittas during their day’s foraging but we’d be fortunate to do so as they are shy and

Pennant-winged Nightjar by Hugh Chittenden

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 10 rather scarce and are only readily located when calling in the early morning and sometimes in the late afternoon. In saying this, the lodge kitchen roof has even had an individual displaying from it!

Owls are common in the vicinity of our camp and we will search for several species in the evening. If our luck holds we may glimpse African Wood Owl, African Barred Owlet and African Scops Owl and, if luck is truly on our side, a majestic male Pennant-winged Nightjar in full nuptials. We will then settle to an excellent farewell dinner with the group before a final night’s rest on this spectacular tour.

Day 13: Zambezi Valley to Harare and final departures. Our final morning will afford us a further opportunity to enjoy the amazing display of the African Pitta as well as many more beautiful birds we may have missed during the trip. We’ll then return to Harare where we will connect with our international flights home, or set off for out Victoria Fall’s Extension.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.

This includes:  All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 13;  All lodgings;  Ground transportation;  Reserve entrance fees;  Extra activities as mentioned in the itinerary; and  All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services).

The tour fee does not include:  Visa fees;  ANY flights (see above);  Any drinks;  Special gratuities; and  Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.

Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBT cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.

IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged. c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result.

RBL Zimbabwe - Best of Birding Itinerary 11 d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him.

Special Notes:  It is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg (44lb) for check-in luggage and 8kg (+-18kg) for hand luggage.  Fitness: This tour does not require a high level of fitness, but participants should be in good general health as most of the birding will be done on foot, and may require walking for several hours at a time. Should you have any physical limitations, please notify us in advance of departure.  Accommodation throughout the trip varies from comfortable to extremely comfortable and luxurious. On the African Pitta Extension, however, the accommodation is rather basic.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include ANY airfares. The tour will begin at Harare International Airport, Harare in the mid to late afternoon of day 1, and conclude at Harare International Airport, Harare on the morning of day 13. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.

FLIGHT DETAILS: Harare International Airport, Harare (IATA: HRE) is the main port of entry for international flights for this tour, and is best reached via Johannesburg on South African Airways. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. If you would like further assistance kindly contact the Rockjumper office. However, please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.

Rockjumper Birding Ltd Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com