Our Gabon – Rainforest Birds & Mammals birding tour takes in the bird-rich Leconi area of south-eastern Gabon, near the border with the Congo, as well as the fabulous Lope and Ivindo National Parks where we will seek a plethora of monkeys, sounders of strikingly patterned Red River Hog, herds of Forest sub-species of African Elephant and Forest sub-species of African Buffalo and troops of Chimpanzee. We even have a chance of seeing Lowland Gorillas and Mandrill!
The birding is equally exceptional, we have a good chance of seeing Africa’s toughest and arguably most attractive bee-eaters – Black-headed and Rosy. Other star species we may see include the rare Bare-cheeked Trogon, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Fiery-breasted Bushshrike, Shining-blue, Chocolate-backed and African Dwarf Kingfishers, African Finfoot, Black-casqued Hornbill, Finsch's Francolin, Congo Moor Chat, Black-chinned Weaver and both Vermiculated and Pel’s Fishing Owls – to name just a handful!
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Bare-cheeked Trogon, Fiery-breasted & Gorgeous (Perrin's) Bushshrikes, African Dwarf, White-bellied, Shining Blue & Chocolate-backed Kingfishers, Finsch's Francolin, Congo Moor Chat, Black-chinned Weaver, Fraser's & Akun Eagle-Owls, Red-chested Owlet, Black & Plumed Guineafowls, Bates’s & Brown Nightjars, Black-headed, Black & Rosy Bee-eaters, Black-casqued & White-crested Hornbills, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated & Thick-billed Cuckoos, Sjostedt's Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, Lyre-tailed & Spotted Honeyguides, Gosling's Apalis, Black-collared Bulbul, Red-bellied, Rachel's & Cassin's Malimbes, Hartlaub's Duck, Ja River Scrub Warbler, Woodhouse's Antpecker, Yellow-crested, Elliott's & Gabon Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied & White-spotted Wattle-eyes, Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike, Blue Cuckooshrike, Violet-backed HyFliota, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Red-throated Cliff Swallow, Black-backed Barbet, Rufous-sided & African Broadbills, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Salvadori's Eremomela, Swamp Nightjar, Short-tailed Pipit, Grey & Rock Pratincoles, African Skimmer, Bates's Swift, Violet-tailed & Johanna's Sunbirds, Black-faced Canary, Angolan, Gabon & Fernando Po Batises, White-spotted Flufftail, Gabon Coucal & chances of African River Martin, Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike, Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Latham's (Forest) Francolin, Forest Penduline Tit, Red-crowned Malimbe, Yellow-capped Weaver, Black-collared Lovebird, Souza's Shrike & Pennant-winged Nightjar
Top Mammals Forest sub-species of African Elephant, Forest sub-species of African Buffalo, Red River Hog, Chimpanzee, Side-striped Jackal, Black Colobus, Moustached & Putty-nosed Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Demidorff's Dwarf Galago & chances of Lowland Gorilla, Mandrill, African Palm Civet, Gabon Squirrel Galago
Habitats Covered Lowland and gallery forest, grassland, woodland, rivers
Expected Climate warm and humid
Max Group Size 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader / 10 with 2 Rockjumper leaders
Tour Pace & Walking Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
Accommodation basic to comfortable hotels
Ease of Birding moderate with some tricky forest species
Number of Species Expected 300 - 320
Other Attractions Magnificent pristine forest, some of the least explored wilderness in Africa
Photographic Opportunities good
Andre Bernon did an excellent job as the second guide. We were impressed with his birding capabilities and knowledge, his friendliness and humour, and his dedication as well. We look forward to being guided by him in Ghana next year if things work out as planned.
David Hoddinott, with his extensive experience, dedication to the birding task at hand, enthusiasm, and robust sense of humour, was again an excellent lead guide.
Glen was great! His steady, unflappable leadership was the best and he got us on some terrific birds, never stopped trying, always looking. At the same time, he handled logistics very well and always with good humour. His enthusiasm for all things in nature and thoughtful attentiveness to the group made this a special trip.