Led by Michael Mills, this all-embracing 18-day tour to Ghana in January 2021 affords participants the opportunity to see the spectacular Yellow-headed Picathartes, one of Africa's most unusual and desirable birds.
We will visit two different nesting colonies, because we know how hard it is to fully appreciate this amazing species during a single visit. The birds won't be breeding, but we expect to see birds coming in to roost in the late afternoon.
Besides seeing the Yellow-headed Picathartes (or White-necked Rockfowl) we will also have the opportunity to sample a rich variety of lowland forest birds, including a good selection of Upper Guinea endemics, in and around the famous Kakum National Park, Ankasa Reserve and several other small forests. One of the highlights of the trip will be birding from the canopy walkway in Kakum forest, on two mornings. To add to forest bird diversity we visit open-country sites Shai Hills and Mole National Park, where we expect to see numerous West African savanna birds.
The tour starts and ends in Accra. Our 18-day itinerary includes the Shai Hills, Kalakpa Reserve, Atewa Hills, Mole National Park, Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary, Kakum National Park, Ankasa Reserve and Nsuta Forest.
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.
Black Bee-eater on a Ghana birding tour by Birding Africa tour leader
Callan Cohen
What participants say...
'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
'Mike was amazing... he stayed cool and collected all the time
[on the Angola trip]. DW, South Africa
'.... 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
Practical tour information: Ghana
Focus
Yellow-headed Picathartes, one of Africa's most
unusual birds. For keen birders.
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.
Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is required. Most walks will be
gentle and across relatively flat terrain.
Timing
This tours runs during the dry season, when access to sites
is easier and birding is unlikely to be interrupted by rain.
Climate
Warm and humid.
Comfort
Basic but reasonably comfortable accommodation, mostly with
air-conditioning.
Yellow-headed Picathartes and "Upper Guinea" endemics
such as Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Sharpe's Apalis, Grey-headed
Bristlebill.
Top mammals
The flying squirrel Pelís Anomalure, the strange and primitive
primate, Potto, Lesser Spot-nosed Monkey, Loweís Monkey and
the very rare Olive Colobus.
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.
.jpg "Yellow-headed Picathartes (c) Chris Farnham")
