We pioneered this remote country during reconnaissance trips in 2005 and three subsequent tours to date. Sierra Leone’s biologically rich rainforests support no less than 15 of the 16 Upper Guinea endemic bird species including the fabled White-necked Picathartes, which has been seen on every single one of our tours!
Our tour begins in the bustling capital Freetown, where we will explore sites for Western Wattled Cuckooshrike and Fiery-breasted Bush shrike and forest edge species. Not far from Freetown, lies the Western Peninsula Forest Reserve. We visit breeding colonies of the mythical and endangered Picathartes, and our chances of securing a sighting are excellent. These birds occur here at their highest densities and are revered and therefore unmolested by local villagers. Whilst exploring the forest trails on foot and paddling through steamy mangrove swamps, we will be searching for the likes of Hartlaub’s Duck, the shy White-crested Bittern, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Black and Red-billed Dwarf-Hornbill, the huge Yellow-casqued Wattled Hornbill, endemic Sharpe’s Apalis and Thick-billed Cuckoo.
Further north we will visit the famed Gola Forest, the largest tract of lowland rain forest in Sierra Leone. The great diversity of spectacular species here includes Rufous Fishing-Owl, Gola Malimbe and Nimba Flycatcher, and with luck, exciting mammals including Western Chimpanzee, Western Red Colobus and Zebra Duiker may be seen skulking through the forest. An interesting diversion from Gola will be a visit to Tiwai Island, one of Sierra Leone’s largest inland islands, on the Moa River. Here we will search for the rare and endemic White-breasted Guineafowl. The seldom observed Pygmy Hippopotamus occurs and we can expect to encounter no less than seven species of monkeys. Additional tour targets will include Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Turati’s Boubou, Sierra Leone Prinia, Emerald Starling, Black-headed Rufous Warbler and the dazzling Crimson Seedcracker. Even the mythical Shelley’s Eagle-Owl is possible.
We look forward to pioneer-birding with you in the emerald forests of this jewel in West Africa’s crown!
Tour details:
Sierra Leone - Picathartes and Upper Guinea specials: 9-22 December (14 days).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The difference between the minimum and maximum price is a single supplement fee of $300. The traveler has the option to share accommodation with another participant, if available, in which case the single supplement will no longer apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Sierra Leone
Birdwatching
Wildlife Viewing
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