Overview

Our Ghana Mega Birding tour itinerary affords even more time in Ghana's spectacular, ancient forests. We spend a full day birding in the gallery forest of Kalakpa which offers such star species as Puvel’s Illadopsis, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Capuchin Babbler and many more. In addition we spend time exploring the wonders of Kakum National Park, as well as remote forests in the Brong-Ahafo region where the much sought-after White-necked Rockfowl 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. We also visit the remote forests of Ankasa in search of some very seldom seen birds including Akun Eagle-Owl, White-breasted Guineafowl, White-bellied Kingfisher and Brown Nightjar. On previous tours we have even found the near mythical Nkulengu Rail. Other forests will be visited in search of Rufous Fishing Owl and White-crested Tiger Heron. In a broad belt across the centre 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 huge Bearded), sunbirds, starlings and seedeaters will certainly create a riot of colour! 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. This Ghana Mega Birding tour is designed for the ardent birder intent on trying to see some of the rarest birds in Africa!


*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts Top Birds
White-necked Rockfowl, Egyptian Plover, White-crested Tiger Heron, Hartlaub's Duck, White-breasted Guineafowl, Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Rufous Fishing Owl, Fraser's, Akun Eagle-Owl, Forest & Ahanta Francolin, White-spotted Flufftail, Black-collared & Red-headed Lovebird, Violet & Guinea Turaco, Blue-headed Wood Dove, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Black-throated Coucal, Standard-winged and Brown Nightjar, Black Spinetail, Blue-bellied Roller, White-bellied & Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Blue-headed, Black & Rosy Bee-eater, Black Dwarf, Red-billed Dwarf, Brown-cheeked, Black-casqued & Yellow-casqued Hornbill, African Piculet, Yellow-spotted, Yellow-billed & Bearded Barbet, White-headed & Forest Wood Hoopoe, Yellow-footed, Thick-billed & Willcocks’s Honeyguide, Cassin’s Honeybird, Little Green Woodpecker, Red-fronted Antpecker, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Fernando Po Batis, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Emin's Shrike, Red-billed Helmetshrike, Many-colored Bushshrike, Marsh Tchagra, Sabine’s Puffback, Blue Cuckooshrike, Forest & Yellow Penduline Tit, Green-tailed & Grey-headed Bristlebill, Western Bearded Greenbul, Preuss’s Cliff & White-bibbed Swallow, Gambaga, Tessmann’s, Chestnut-capped, Ussher’s, Nimba & Little Grey Flycatcher, Sharpe’s & Black-capped Apalis, Tit-Hylia, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Kemp’s Longbill, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Puvel's, Blackcap & Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Capuchin Babbler and Blackcap Babbler, Violet-backed Hyliota, Copper-tailed Starling, Finsch’s Rufous Thrush, White-tailed Alethe, White-crowned Robin-Chat, Forest Scrub Robin, White-crowned Cliff & White-fronted Black Chat, Pygmy & Buff-throated Sunbird, Oriole Warbler, Maxwell’s Black, Yellow-mantled & Preuss’s Weaver, Black-bellied Seedcracker, Western Bluebill, Exclamatory Paradise Whydah
Top Mammals
African Elephant, Pel’s Anomalure, Potto, Patas Monkey, King Colobus, various forest duikers
Habitats Covered
lowland rainforest, broad-leaved woodlands, rivers & wetlands, Sahelian savanna
Expected Climate
hot conditions; dry in the north and humid in the south
Max Group Size
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding 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
mostly comfortable hotels (no camping required from 2020 onwards!)
Ease of Birding
moderate with some challenging species
Number of Species Expected
450-500
Other Attractions
Kakum canopy walkway, remote forests seldom visited by birders, Farafara tribesmen, Mole National Park, Sahelian savanna
Photographic Opportunities
good
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

Congratulations to our guides (Tuomas Seimola and Victor) who were simply excellent. Tuomas was always helpful and smiling. In addition to knowing all of the birds he did a great job of communicating the information.

I loved this tour, Andre was outstanding, very knowledgeable and eager to get everyone on the birds.

Andre was an excellent guide, working very well with the local guides.

Tuomas Seimola is a great find. He’s a fantastic birder, and even though it was his first trip to W Africa, he is an obvious quick study. Tuomas is steady, personable, and funny. He wasn’t just the leader of our good group, but part of the group.  We really enjoyed and appreciated him.

Andre was excellent ....laid back , loved sharing his knowledge of the country ,encouraged us to try local foods , and his knowledge of the birds in Ghana was amazing . Because of him the trip was a huge success ...

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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