BIRDING: HARARE & MANA POOLS

Similar / alternative accommodation might be used at the time of booking depending on availability 

The Harare area supports a large number of birds through diverse habitats ranging from Miombo woodlands to wetlands and dams, grasslands and granite formations, large and small.Miombo and wetland birds tend to be the primary focus but excursions can be catered according to the birdwatchers’ goals.

Visits to Christon Bank, Domboshawa & Ngomakurira, Ewanrigg Botanic Garden, Lake Chivero area and other birding spots in the city are all worthwhile.Mana Pools is a spectacular big game country destination, with the focus on birds!

Target birds

Miombo specialists including Whyte’s Barbet, Green-backed Honeybird, Wood Pipit, Striped Pipit, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Boulder Chat, Miombo Rock-thrush, Collared Flycatcher (in season), Stierling’s Wren-warbler, Southern Hyliota, Green-capped Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, Miombo Tit, African Spotted Creeper, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Miombo Double-collared Sunbird, Miombo Blue-eared Starling and Black-eared Seedeater.

Mana Pools

Southern Crested Guineafowl, African Mourning Dove, Böhm’s Spinetail, White-browed Coucal, Rufous-bellied Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, White-crowned Lapwing, Western Banded Snake-eagle, Southern Ground-hornbill, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Grey-headed Parrot, Lilian’s Lovebird, Collared Palm-thrush, Arnot’s Chat, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Collared Sunbird, Red-billed Oxpecker, Meves’s Starling.

Ease of birdingMany birds will be easy to see whilst some are elusive or seasonal. Miombo woodlands tend to be quiet in the afternoons so there is the opportunity to sample other habitats for other species. These areas require some walking in hilly terrain but present no difficulty for persons of average fitness.