Ghana
Wildlife of the Gold Coast
Saturday 14 - Saturday 28 February 2009 (15 days)
We think we've really struck gold with this exciting trip to Ghana, offering abundant wildlife, superb birdwatching and extremely friendly people. With habitats ranging from dry savanna, with an array of typical African mammals, to humid tropical forest, more than 720 species of birds have been seen in this unspoiled country. Join us for our second tour to Africa's sparkling Gold Coast ...
© Bill Atwell/Nature Portfolio
Little Bee-eater
Having enjoyed our trips to Senegal and The Gambia for more years than we care to remember, we were delighted last year when offered a chance to run a tour elsewhere in West Africa. Ghana is simply the most secure and stable country of the region, due to the extreme friendliness and goodwill of its people and political stability over several decades. The relatively fast development of its infrastructure and the fact that English is spoken everywhere would in itself make this country an excellent destination for us. Add to this an excellent variety and range of habitats, many protected within an impressive National Park system, and you have a destination with huge appeal.
Our two-week trip ranges from the coastal wetlands through lush broad-leaved Guinea woodland, to Upper Guinea forest and, furthest inland, the dry savannah of the Sahel - winter home to so many of Britain's summer migrants.
Whether you have already been to The Gambia or not, the bird list is irresistible, and many - especially the true forest birds - will be new. These include charismatic Black Bee-eaters, the much sought-after Pel's Fishing Owl, striking Blue Cuckoo-shrikes and the extraordinary White-necked Picathartes. In addition, our visit to Mole National Park should show us a good variety of typical African savannah mammals and, if that were not enough, there is also a fabulous variety of butterflies.
The tour is led again by Tim Earl. February is one of the best months to visit with the climate at its driest.
Prices: £ 2,995
Single supp.: £ 295 per person
Deposit: £ 400 per person
The price is per person and includes return flights from London to Accra, accommodation as outlined, all meals, excursions as outlined above and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks and other personal expenses.
Leaders: Tim Earl and local guides
Itinerary
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight from London to Accra, the capital of Ghana. Evening arrival and transfer to hotel 20 minutes outside Accra. Located in a quiet area on the coast, the hotel is only 10 minutes from Sukumona lagoon.
Overnight Accra
Day 2
We start early with a visit to the nearby Sukumona Lagoon (only 10 minutes from our hotel) before we head west towards Kakum. Our destination is Cape Coast where we find the amazing Kakum National Park. We will stop at various Ramsar sites including lagoons, mud flats, saltpans and a grassland reserve looking for Siffling, Croaking and Black necked Cisticola, Copper Sunbird, Flappet Lark, African Quailfinch, displaying Orange and Black-winged Bishops.
We continue on to Hans Cottage 'Botel', in a delightful setting beside a lagoon, with excellent birdwatching in the grounds and surrounding area. The restaurant is on stilts in a small lake full of crocodiles, and little islands with some trees which are the roosting site for hundreds of Cattle Egrets, and Long-tailed Cormorants, and weaver birds within touching distance. Pools may host Black Crake, Striated Heron and African Jacana, while Woodland and Giant Kingfishers may sit quietly on overhanging branches.
Overnight Hans Cottage, nr Kakum
Days 3 - 4
Kakum is one of the richest National Parks in West Africa, conserving some of the best-preserved primary and secondary Guinea forest. Here, flocks of African Grey Parrots screech overhead, flaunting their startling red tails, while fruiting trees often attract several species of hornbill from the huge and impressive Black-casqued to the small but noisy Piping Hornbills. These trees may also attract one or more of the seven species of monkey in Kakum, including gangs of Olive Colobus, and the delightful Lesser Spot-nosed Guenon.
To see many of the birds in the forest, we need to make an early start, and get up on to the famous Kakum Canopy Walkway. Amongst the treetops we have a better chance of seeing the dazzling Blue Cuckoo-Shrike, the stunning Red-headed Malimbe, Naked-faced and Hairy-breasted Barbets, Speckled Tinkerbird, Blue-throated Roller, Emerald Cuckoo and many other gems. Overhead, we watch for soaring African Harrier-hawk, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard and Crowned Eagle amongst other raptors. Trails into the forest will take us to look for a bewildering variety of greenbuls, and more easily-identified African Paradise Flycatchers and Black Bee-eaters.
Two nights Hans Cottage, nr Kakum
Day 5
After a final morning's birdwatching locally and a late breakfast, we set off for a small guesthouse in the Ashanti region for what could prove to be one of the highlights of our time in Ghana. After checking into our guesthouse we set off for a remote village to visit a nesting site for Yellow-headed Picathartes [formerly known as White-necked Rockfowl and voted bird of the trip last year]. There are around twenty nests at this location and a glimpse of this remarkable and highly secretive bird would make this a truly wonderful day.
Overnight Ashanti region
Day 6
We drive north to Kumasi. Near here we visit Owabi sanctuary where we search for the elusive African Finfoot on a small reservoir.
Overnight Kumasi
Day 7
It is about a 10-hour drive to Mole National Park in the Guinea Savannah Belt, but the journey will be worth it. As we drive inland, the scenery changes dramatically, as we progress through increasingly dry habitats.
Our hotel is beautifully-situated on an escarpment overlooking a watering hole, which attracts a variety of large mammals. The views from the hotel are extensive, over woodlands and wetlands, and the birdwatching here can be superb. Around the lodge we might find Senegal Thick-knee, Hadeda Ibis, Hamerkop, Abyssinian Roller, Red-throated Bee-eater, Black Flycatcher, Blue-breasted and Grey-headed Kingfisher and several iridescent sunbird & glossy starling species. This is also a great place for raptors including Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, Martial Eagle and White-backed Vulture. With luck we will arrive in time for a sundowner on the terrace overlooking waterholes and ponds below.
Overnight Mole
Days 8 – 10
We awake early and move to the hotel terrace, which is an excellent spot to watch the dawn activity. We hope to see Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Grey Woodpecker, stunning Red-billed and Bar-breasted Firefinch, Stone Partridge, Freckled Nightjar and perhaps Abyssinian Ground-hornbill. The watering hole attracts Senegal Thick-knee and Greater Painted-snipe, Woolly-necked Stork and Hadada Ibis. Raptors are common in Mole and we could see White headed, Hooded, and White-backed Vultures, African and Ayres's Hawk-eagle, Bateleur, African Hobby, Lanner and several species of harrier.
We also visit the woodland that surrounds the waterhole in the cooler early morning and late afternoons to see Bruce's Green Pigeon, Glossy Starlings, White-shouldered Black Tit, Oriole Warbler, Violet Turaco and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, among many more.
We will take several dawn and dusk foot safaris with the local National Park Ranger, and during our stay we also have a chance of seeing Pel's Fishing Owl. The afternoons are rest periods which can be spent by the pool, sipping a cool drink whilst observing the animals at the waterholes. Warthogs (and occasionally Elephants) graze on the lawns outside our rooms, Green Monkeys troop by and Elephants bathe below. We will enjoy an evening of birding around the Mole Airstrip after dinner - an area which is particularly productive for nightjars. Super views of displaying Standard-winged Nightjars were obtained last year.
Three nights Mole
Day 11
After a final morning's birding on the hotel terrace and a hearty breakfast, we set off for Kumasi retracing our journey of a few days earlier.On our arrival in Kumasi we will check into our hotel and enjoy our evening meal around the pool.
Overnight Kumasi
Day 12
Those who wish will wake early to visit the butterfly sanctuary of Bobiri Reserve where we will search its lush forest for Swamp Palm Bulbul, Bronze-naped Pigeon and raptors which could include Cassin's Hawk-eagle, Red-thighed and Great Sparrowhawk.
Overnight Atewa
Day 13
We return to Accra via the Atewa Range - this is the only site in Ghana where we might see Blue-headed Bee-eater. Other specialities include the endangered Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Narina Trogon, Great Blue Turaco and Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. We set off for Accra after lunch visiting the Shai Hills, an expanse of savannah grassland and woodland, on the way down. The bird viewing here is excellent and we hope to see Grey Hornbill, African Hobby, Mocking Cliff-chat, Senegal Parrot, and many more species.
Overnight Accra
Day 14
We revisit the nearby Sakumona Lagoon for a final session of birding hoping for African Spoonbill, White-fronted Plover, Black-headed Heron, several species of kingfisher and African Quailfinch. We will visit an Accra restaurant for a final lunch before returning to the hotel for an early evening meal before our overnight flight home arriving on Day 15.
Accommodation
We stay in hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by small coach with local driver.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight from London to Accra, the capital of Ghana. Evening arrival and transfer to hotel 20 minutes outside Accra. Located in a quiet area on the coast, the hotel is only 10 minutes from Sukumona lagoon.
Overnight Accra
Day 2
We start early with a visit to the nearby Sukumona Lagoon (only 10 minutes from our hotel) before we head west towards Kakum. Our destination is Cape Coast where we find the amazing Kakum National Park. We will stop at various Ramsar sites including lagoons, mud flats, saltpans and a grassland reserve looking for Siffling, Croaking and Black necked Cisticola, Copper Sunbird, Flappet Lark, African Quailfinch, displaying Orange and Black-winged Bishops.
We continue on to Hans Cottage 'Botel', in a delightful setting beside a lagoon, with excellent birdwatching in the grounds and surrounding area. The restaurant is on stilts in a small lake full of crocodiles, and little islands with some trees which are the roosting site for hundreds of Cattle Egrets, and Long-tailed Cormorants, and weaver birds within touching distance. Pools may host Black Crake, Striated Heron and African Jacana, while Woodland and Giant Kingfishers may sit quietly on overhanging branches.
Overnight Hans Cottage, nr Kakum
Days 3 - 4
Kakum is one of the richest National Parks in West Africa, conserving some of the best-preserved primary and secondary Guinea forest. Here, flocks of African Grey Parrots screech overhead, flaunting their startling red tails, while fruiting trees often attract several species of hornbill from the huge and impressive Black-casqued to the small but noisy Piping Hornbills. These trees may also attract one or more of the seven species of monkey in Kakum, including gangs of Olive Colobus, and the delightful Lesser Spot-nosed Guenon.
To see many of the birds in the forest, we need to make an early start, and get up on to the famous Kakum Canopy Walkway. Amongst the treetops we have a better chance of seeing the dazzling Blue Cuckoo-Shrike, the stunning Red-headed Malimbe, Naked-faced and Hairy-breasted Barbets, Speckled Tinkerbird, Blue-throated Roller, Emerald Cuckoo and many other gems. Overhead, we watch for soaring African Harrier-hawk, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard and Crowned Eagle amongst other raptors. Trails into the forest will take us to look for a bewildering variety of greenbuls, and more easily-identified African Paradise Flycatchers and Black Bee-eaters.
Two nights Hans Cottage, nr Kakum
Day 5
After a final morning's birdwatching locally and a late breakfast, we set off for a small guesthouse in the Ashanti region for what could prove to be one of the highlights of our time in Ghana. After checking into our guesthouse we set off for a remote village to visit a nesting site for Yellow-headed Picathartes [formerly known as White-necked Rockfowl and voted bird of the trip last year]. There are around twenty nests at this location and a glimpse of this remarkable and highly secretive bird would make this a truly wonderful day.
Overnight Ashanti region
Day 6
We drive north to Kumasi. Near here we visit Owabi sanctuary where we search for the elusive African Finfoot on a small reservoir.
Overnight Kumasi
Day 7
It is about a 10-hour drive to Mole National Park in the Guinea Savannah Belt, but the journey will be worth it. As we drive inland, the scenery changes dramatically, as we progress through increasingly dry habitats.
Our hotel is beautifully-situated on an escarpment overlooking a watering hole, which attracts a variety of large mammals. The views from the hotel are extensive, over woodlands and wetlands, and the birdwatching here can be superb. Around the lodge we might find Senegal Thick-knee, Hadeda Ibis, Hamerkop, Abyssinian Roller, Red-throated Bee-eater, Black Flycatcher, Blue-breasted and Grey-headed Kingfisher and several iridescent sunbird & glossy starling species. This is also a great place for raptors including Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, Martial Eagle and White-backed Vulture. With luck we will arrive in time for a sundowner on the terrace overlooking waterholes and ponds below.
Overnight Mole
Days 8 – 10
We awake early and move to the hotel terrace, which is an excellent spot to watch the dawn activity. We hope to see Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Grey Woodpecker, stunning Red-billed and Bar-breasted Firefinch, Stone Partridge, Freckled Nightjar and perhaps Abyssinian Ground-hornbill. The watering hole attracts Senegal Thick-knee and Greater Painted-snipe, Woolly-necked Stork and Hadada Ibis. Raptors are common in Mole and we could see White headed, Hooded, and White-backed Vultures, African and Ayres's Hawk-eagle, Bateleur, African Hobby, Lanner and several species of harrier.
We also visit the woodland that surrounds the waterhole in the cooler early morning and late afternoons to see Bruce's Green Pigeon, Glossy Starlings, White-shouldered Black Tit, Oriole Warbler, Violet Turaco and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, among many more.
We will take several dawn and dusk foot safaris with the local National Park Ranger, and during our stay we also have a chance of seeing Pel's Fishing Owl. The afternoons are rest periods which can be spent by the pool, sipping a cool drink whilst observing the animals at the waterholes. Warthogs (and occasionally Elephants) graze on the lawns outside our rooms, Green Monkeys troop by and Elephants bathe below. We will enjoy an evening of birding around the Mole Airstrip after dinner - an area which is particularly productive for nightjars. Super views of displaying Standard-winged Nightjars were obtained last year.
Three nights Mole
Day 11
After a final morning's birding on the hotel terrace and a hearty breakfast, we set off for Kumasi retracing our journey of a few days earlier.On our arrival in Kumasi we will check into our hotel and enjoy our evening meal around the pool.
Overnight Kumasi
Day 12
Those who wish will wake early to visit the butterfly sanctuary of Bobiri Reserve where we will search its lush forest for Swamp Palm Bulbul, Bronze-naped Pigeon and raptors which could include Cassin's Hawk-eagle, Red-thighed and Great Sparrowhawk.
Overnight Atewa
Day 13
We return to Accra via the Atewa Range - this is the only site in Ghana where we might see Blue-headed Bee-eater. Other specialities include the endangered Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Narina Trogon, Great Blue Turaco and Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. We set off for Accra after lunch visiting the Shai Hills, an expanse of savannah grassland and woodland, on the way down. The bird viewing here is excellent and we hope to see Grey Hornbill, African Hobby, Mocking Cliff-chat, Senegal Parrot, and many more species.
Overnight Accra
Day 14
We revisit the nearby Sakumona Lagoon for a final session of birding hoping for African Spoonbill, White-fronted Plover, Black-headed Heron, several species of kingfisher and African Quailfinch. We will visit an Accra restaurant for a final lunch before returning to the hotel for an early evening meal before our overnight flight home arriving on Day 15.
Accommodation
We stay in hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by small coach with local driver.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients