This exciting new tour has been specially developed for the African Bird Club to seek out some of Zambia’s rarest, most localised and seldom-seen birds, many of which rank among the most highly sought-after species anywhere in Africa. Travelling well beyond the country’s traditional birding circuit, we will explore a wonderful diversity of habitats, from Congo Basin-influenced forests and vast dambos in the far north-west to rich miombo woodland, papyrus swamps, seasonal floodplains and the remote wetlands of northern Zambia. Along the way we will visit a remarkable collection of little-birded and seldom-visited sites, each offering the chance of something truly special.

We begin in the far north-west at Nyachisala, where some of the headline possibilities include the enigmatic Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Thrush Babbler, Spot-breasted Ibis, Fülleborn’s and Grimwood’s Longclaws, together with a superb selection of Central African forest birds. From here we explore the Chitunta Plain and Cryptosepalum forests around Mwinilunga, searching for such prizes as Bocage’s Weaver, Margaret’s Batis, and Bar-winged Weaver, before gradually working our way eastwards through a succession of productive miombo sites and on to Kasanka National Park.

The second half of the tour takes us into some of Zambia’s most remote and exciting birding country. Around the Bangweulu floodplain and Luapula River Mouth we will target Katanga Masked Weaver and the highly distinctive Zambian population of Papyrus Yellow Warbler, before continuing north in search of the extremely localised White-winged Babbling Starling. Near the Tanzanian border, the Saise River gives us a rare opportunity to look for Tanzania Masked Weaver, while the Uningi Pans may produce Oustalet’s Sunbird, Whyte’s Barbet, Great Bittern and a host of other northern specials.

The optional extension adds two further outstanding destinations: Mutinondo Wilderness and the Chisamba area. At Mutinondo we will search for the exceptionally elusive Chestnut-headed Flufftail, together with a superb supporting cast of miombo and dambo specials, while Chisamba gives us an excellent chance to connect with Zambia’s endemic Chaplin’s Barbet and to mop up any remaining central Zambian targets.

With so many difficult and range-restricted birds on offer, and several sites that remain remarkably poorly explored ornithologically, there is a genuine sense of adventure throughout. We are tremendously excited to share this very different side of Zambia and to go in search of some of Africa’s most elusive and rewarding birds.

Please note: This tour is made available in asssocaition with our partners at the African Bird Club. A US$300 donation will be made per booking in support of ABC's work across Zambia and beyond.