We have run 9 tours in Cameroon, but have no scheduled tours currently due to the security risks there, but please Contact Us
if you would like us to inform you when we plan one.
Cameroon offers the best birding in West Africa and quite possibly the whole continent. If you're serious about your African birds, the question becomes not whether to visit, but when and how.
We've been leading tours in Cameroon since 2002 and are well known for our discoveries there. Click here to read our articles in the African Bird Club Bulletin: First photos of Mount Kupe Bush-Shrike -- Where to watch birds in Northern Cameroon -- Where to watch birds in South Cameroon.
To give you an idea of the possibilities on our 3-week trip, here is the first paragraph of one of Michael Mills' tour report:
This year's comprehensive Cameroon tour was a resounding success ... We recorded an impressive 589 species in just 21 days, including Red-headed Picathartes, Arabian Bustard, Quail-Plover, Golden Nightjar and all Cameroon Mountain Endemics except for the inaccessible Mount Cameroon Francolin. In addition, the quality of sightings enjoyed of the most important birds was perhaps even superior to that of my previous tours, perhaps reaching its pinnacle with my best ever views of Mount Kupe Bushshrike (three birds chasing each other along a bare branch just 10 m away from us) and for several minutes a Fraser’s Eagle Owl that sat in the spotlight beam for ages, and prolonged, day time views of Golden Nightjar. Finally, the trip logistics were certainly smoother than during any of my previous six Cameroon trips, with no flight delays, drivers always on time and uncharacteristically few of the general hassles expected in Cameroon. We were also the first bird tour company to try and new spot for Red-headed Picathartes, with a walk of just 15 minutes, and this was a resounding success!
Tour Leader: Michael Mills
Michael Mills grew up "in the bush" in the Kalahari and Kruger National Parks where his parents were carnivore researchers. His incredible focus, dedication and ability to locate and show people Africa's toughest birds is probably unequalled on the continent.
Michael has led dozens of tours in Southern, East, Central, West and North Africa and his experience in locating birds on just the softest of calls or briefest of views impresses those who have travelled with him.
There is seldom a tour where Michael doesn't make an interesting discovery such as finding a new species for a country or record an undescribed bird call (and he has published these in the scientific literature).
Not only is Michael one of our principal leaders, but he also helps extensively with scouting and planning our most challenging itineraries.
What
participants say...
'... confidence in a well
organised and successful tour.' AD,
UK
'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
'.... 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
Red-headed Picathartes, photographed by AP Leventis and courtesy of BirdLife
International. Watch the video by Martin Kennewell taken on the 2009 Birding Africa tour.
For keen birders and world listers. Designed to
see all of Cameroon's endemic birds.
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.
For some photographs taken on this tour, please click
here.
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. Most walks will be
done in cool conditions and will last less than 3-4 hours. The
walks are generally in relatively flat areas with occasional
inclines, but some steeper hikes are involved.
Timing
The tour coincides with the beginning
of the rainy season in the south and the end of the dry
season in the north.
Climate
Hot and dry in the north. Hot and humid in the South.
Comfort
Moderate to basic comfort in small hotels, guest houses and
lodges.
Transport
A combination of four-wheel-drives and minibuses
Getting There
Please
enquire. The trip start in Douala to sync with
the popular Air France flights Paris-Douala.
Group Size
6 to 9; may vary depending on the tour.
Top birds
Northern Cameroon: arid-country specials such as
Quail Plover, Egyptian Plover, Standard-winged Nightjar and
Arabian Bustard; Southern Cameroon: Cameroon Mountains endemics such
as Green Long-tailed and (perhaps) Mount Kupe Bush-Shrike, Red-headed
Picathartes and many hornbills; 590 bird species were recorded on our 2009 tour.
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.
