Zimbabwe is justly famous as a superb birding destination that leaves one with a lasting impression of having experienced the real 'wild Africa.' Pristine wilderness areas, spectacular landscapes and an amazing variety of ecosystems make Zimbabwe a natural history paradise. The diversity of habitats is astounding and ranges from open grassland and afro-montane evergreen forest to broad-leaved miombo woodlands, gallery forest and seasonal wetlands, which together host a large and impressive variety of birds and game. Our tour to this under-birded African destination has been specially designed to incorporate the key habitats and species which are difficult, if not impossible to find elsewhere.

The superb miombo woodlands are home to a vast suite of avian specialities such as the scarce Boulder Chat, recently split Eastern Miombo Sunbird, White-breasted Cuckooshrike and Southern Hyliota, while we can expect seldom-seen and extremely localised species like Chirinda Apalis, Roberts’s Warbler, the delightful Swynnerton’s Robin, Bronzy Sunbird, Black-fronted Bushshrike, little-known Zambezi Indigobird and Cinnamon-breasted Tit in the picturesque Bvumba Mountains of the Eastern Highlands which border Mozambique.

The middle part of the tour is spent around the extensive, seasonal wetlands and bird-rich miombo woodlands around the capital city of Harare. Miombo specialities include Green-backed Honeybird, Whyte’s Barbet, Miombo Tit, African Spotted Creeper, Miombo Rock Thrush whilst the seasonal wetlands within the city boundaries include Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Cuckoo-finch, African, Baillon’s, Striped and Corn Crakes.

We complete the tour in the northeast of the country, taking in the majestic Victoria Falls, rightly considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. We’ll target a smattering of Okavango delta specials which reach their eastern limit here such as Slaty Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, the huge Coppery-tailed Coucal, Hartlaub's Babbler, White-crowned Lapwing, Swamp Nightjar, Racket-tailed Roller, Rock Pratincole, Schalow’s Turaco, Bradfield’s Hornbill, and the rare Shelley’s Sunbird.

Top Birds

Swynnerton's Robin; Roberts's Warbler; Chirinda Apalis; Blue Swallow; Boulder Chat; Zambezi Indigobird; Cinnamon-breasted & Miombo Tits; Eastern Miombo, Variable, Shelley's & Bronzy Sunbirds; White-breasted Cuckooshrike; Cabanis's Bunting; Southern Hyliota; Black-fronted Bushshrike; Green-backed Honeybird; Whyte’s Barbet; African Spotted Creeper; Miombo Rock Thrush; Streaky-breasted Flufftail; Yellow-mantled Widowbird; Cuckoo-finch; African, Baillon’s, Striped & Corn Crakes; Slaty Egret; Rufous-bellied Heron; Coppery-tailed Coucal; Swamp Nightjar; Racket-tailed Roller; Rock Pratincole; Schalow’s Turaco; Bradfield’s Hornbill.

Top Mammals

Blue Monkey; Mutable Sun Squirrel; Southern African Giraffe; Plains Zebra; Impala; Greater Kudu; Hippopotamus; African Buffalo; African Elephant; Common & Central African Large-spotted Genets; White-tailed Mongoose; Springhare; Wild Cat; Southern Lesser Galago.

Habitats Covered

woodland, riverine forest, wetlands, rivers, miombo woodland, afro-montane forest, afro-montane grasslands

Expected Climate

warm to very hot and humid, some rain possible

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

Moderate tour with some easy days & some demanding days. Suitable for the keen to dedicated birder. Not suitable for anyone with mobility or significant health & fitness challenges.

Accommodation

Good to very comfortable lodges

Ease of Birding

Moderate. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions. Forest birding is more challenging, Miombo birding can be slow. Several low-density target species.

Other Attractions

Victoria Falls, Zambezi River cruise, open vehicle safari, African sunset, sundown drinks, Bvumba Mountains

Photographic Opportunities

Worthwhile to good. Forest photography is challenging, as are rallids. Somewhat easier around Vic Falls. No dedicated hides.

What our clients say about us

André Bernon
EC, Private Zimbabwe 2018

I got exactly what I asked for - delighted with the species we saw. It was a lovely trip; and a great job of leading was done by Andre Bernon.

Zimbabwe - Comprehensive 2025

20 Feb 2025 - 03 Mar 2025 (12 days)

USD4,995 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Reece Dodd

Tour price (Per person): USD4,995 * GBP3,999 * EUR4,649 * AUD7,594

Single Supplement: USD1,550 * GBP1,241 * EUR1,443 * AUD2,357

Flight costs: USD270 * GBP216 * EUR251 * AUD410

Can be linked with: Zambia - Endemics Extension

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Route Map

Tour Route Map

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