Mozambique Birding Tours

Mozambique is a large country, and stretches some distance north to south, and as a result a great number of habitats can be found in the country, resulting in an impressive number of bird species. Although the country only has one true endemic bird, Namuli Apalis (which, as its name suggests, occurs only on Mount Namuli in the northern half of the country), the country is home to a wide array of localized and sought-after species with highly fragmented ranges. Indeed, the northern half of the country and its isolated mountains are home to a number of such species including such sought-after birds as Dapple-throat, Thyolo Alethe, Green Barbet, and Long-billed Forest Warbler, among others. Despite these enticing species occurring in the northern half of Mozambique accessing this region is difficult and time-consuming, and the limited infrastructure in the area makes it non-viable as a tour option. However, we are able to arrange custom forays into this remote region.

The southern half of Mozambique is not to be sneezed at, however, and also supports a number of localized and highly sought-after species, especially to the southern African birder, with Mozambique south of the Zambezi River contributing to the Southern African subregion. Three species have massively disjunct populations in southern Mozambique, far more accessible here than at other sites where these species occur – namely Olive-headed Weaver, Green-headed Oriole, and Green Tinkerbird. The southernmost tracts of tropical lowland forest also creep southwards past the Zambezi River into this subregion, and host a number of exciting species, foremost of them is the enigmatic African Pitta. This is one of the most sought-after African species and is an annual visitor to these forests, where it arrives to breed and is only easily accessible during a short space of time while it is displaying at the onset of the breeding season. Other prized species such as White-chested Alethe, East Coast Akalat, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, and Böhm’s Bee-eater also feature. The Zambezi River delta and its associated floodplains also provide great habitat for further elusive species like Locustfinch and Blue Quail.

Our birding tours to Mozambique are focused on the central and southern parts of the country that is located within the Southern African subregion and features a number of the abovementioned species. While Mozambique retains an ‘off-the-beaten-track’ feel and requires some sense of adventure, the country hosts some of arguably the most exciting birding in Africa.