Ghana is a West African destination like no other. It is a politically stable, English-speaking nation, which is acknowledged as the friendliest country in the region. Ghana is one of the only safe countries in which the Upper Guinea forest bloc, a severely threatened habitat, can be visited.
Our new, expanded itinerary affords even more time in these ancient forests. We spend five days exploring the wonders of Kakum National Park, as well as three days in remote forests in the Brong-Ahafo region where the much sought-after White-necked Picathartes has recently been rediscovered. We have obtained special permission to visit these colonies located in community-managed forests and our stay will aid in the conservation of these endangered birds. Other forests near Kumasi and Atewa will also be explored.
This provides us ample time to work through the lower-stored bird waves filled with green bulls, sun birds, flycatchers and warblers. Ground-dwelling species that we aim to see include the elusive Nkulengu Rail, White-spotted Flufftail, illadopses and several specialized ant-attending species. Several sessions on Africa’s only rain forest canopy walkway will ensure up-close-and-personal experiences of a plethora of canopy dwellers, including a rich assemblage of raptors (amongst them Crowned and Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle), turacos, cuckoos, bee-eaters (including dazzling Black and Blue-headed), forest horn bills (including both the giant Wattled Hornbills and both the diminutive Dwarf Horn bills), woodhoopoes, barbets, honeyguides (on previous tours we have obtained scope views of the extremely rare Yellow-footed Honeyguide), bush shrikes, weavers and monkeys.
In a broad belt across the center of Ghana lies an extensive tract of pristine, broad-leaved Guinea woodland and in this zone is our next base, the vast Mole National Park. The beautiful Oriole Warbler, Violet Turaco, several species of kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers (including Blue-bellied), barbets (including the giant Bearded), sun birds, starlings and seed eaters will certainly create a riot of color! We will not ignore the typical savanna mammals that occur here and Mole boasts a healthy population of particularly well-habituated and good-natured elephants.
As we travel into the seldom visited far north of Ghana, these woodlands give way to dry Sahelian savanna, home to some very special birds including the sought-after Standard-winged Nightjar, one of the world’s most uniquely adorned and spectacular birds! Here also we will search for the splendid Egyptian Plover. We will spend time exploring this remote region with its fascinating cultures, as well as other sites ranging from coastal lagoons, extensive coastal grasslands, moist savannas and higher-altitude forests. A birding tour of Ghana therefore allows a thorough coverage of these core West African habitats, resulting in an impressive bird tally and an exciting African experience.
Tour details:
Ghana - Picathartes and Upper Guinea specials: 21 November - 9 December (19 days).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
US$ 4,375 per person, US$380 single supplement.
The traveler has the option to share accommodation with another participant, if available, in which case the single supplement will no longer apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ghana
Birdwatching
Wildlife Viewing
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