Angola Birding trip report
Summary: During the tour the temperature ranged from 17 to 37ºC. We recorded 9 mammal species, over 450 species of birds. The species mentioned in the daily summaries are only some of those seen.
Day 1: Arrival in Luanda, and transfer to Mangais. Birding the Kwanza River.
Our incredible birding adventure in Angola began with everyone arriving in the capital, Luanda, either from international flights or a pre-tour in Namibia. Once we had gathered, we navigated the bustling Luanda traffic and made our way to our lovely accommodation along the scenic Kwanza River. Our local guide, Stirling, shared fascinating insights into the town’s history and ongoing conservation efforts in Angola, adding depth to the experience.
We savoured a delicious first dinner together, chatting about the exciting plans for the trip and the birds we were eager to spot. It was wonderful reconnecting with familiar faces, and after a busy day of travel, we all enjoyed a restful night’s sleep
Day 2: Birding the Muxima woodlands.
Our morning began bright and early to make the most of birding in the Muxima woodlands before the heat of the day set in. As the focus of our trip was on Angola’s endemic species, we headed to this area in the southern corner of Kissama National Park. This dry woodland is a prime location for finding several endemic birds and an essential stop on any birding tour in Angola.
Our first major highlight came en route with a sighting of four Grey-striped Spurfowl crossing the road—our first Angolan endemic! Upon arrival, we stumbled into a lively bird party. The near-endemic Hartert’s Camaroptera was the first bird spotted, followed by a flock of the rare and localized Gabela (Angola) Helmetshrikes, one of the main endemics of the area. Continuing through the woodland, we enjoyed excellent views of the White-fronted Wattle-eye, another endemic species. Overhead, we saw Böhm’s and Mottled Spinetails flying by. Other notable sightings included Senegal Coucal, Crowned Hornbill, Palm-nut Vulture, African Hobby, Monteiro’s Bushshrike, and a charming Red-capped Crombec, which delighted photographers. We also observed Bubbling Cisticola, Carmelite Sunbird, and a small flock of Golden-backed Bishops in stunning breeding plumage.
We paused for a well-deserved breakfast under the shade of magnificent baobab trees, complete with coffee and rusks (a type of biscuit). Before the temperatures rose, we resumed birding and added more species to our list, including Forest Weaver, Bateleur, Long-crested Eagle, Red-backed Mousebird (another endemic), Woodland Kingfisher, Striped Kingfisher, and several bee-eaters such as Little, Blue-cheeked, and European Bee-eaters. Other highlights included Black-headed Oriole, Black-backed Puffback, Gorgeous Bushshrike, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, African Thrush, and Variable Sunbird.
As the heat intensified, we returned to the lodge for a relaxing lunch and a refreshing swim. On the way back, we stopped by the Kwanza River, where we spotted African Skimmer, Pied Kingfisher, Blue Waxbill, Village Weaver, Reed Cormorant, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, and Palm-nut Vulture.
The afternoon was more relaxed, with birding along the Kwanza River and the nearby thickets. Our main target, the near-endemic Pale-olive Greenbul, was soon located, offering fantastic views as a pair moved through the undergrowth. Additional sightings included waterbirds such as White-faced Whistling Duck, African Openbill, Black Crake, African Jacana, Squacco Heron, and Little Egret. A flock of Black-faced Canaries gave us excellent views, alongside species like Common Waxbill, Purple-banded Sunbird, Green Wood-hoopoe, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, and Little Swifts.
It was an outstanding and highly productive first full day of birding. We ended the day with a delicious dinner, discussing the exciting birds to come and reflecting on the remarkable journeys of early explorers like Livingstone in this part of Africa. On the way back to our rooms, we heard the calls of resident Square-tailed Nightjars and fell asleep to their soothing nocturnal serenade.
Day 3: Transfer to Uige and birding the northern scrap forests.
Our morning began with a leisurely early breakfast before embarking on the long drive to Uíge, in northern Angola, where we would spend the next two nights exploring the region’s stunning grasslands and equatorial scarp forests. With a long list of target species and a successful first day behind us, we decided to head directly to Uíge. A quick sighting of a Red-necked Spurfowl as we left the hotel got our birding off to a great start.
The drive was smooth, offering us time to soak in the beautiful scenery and learn more about Angola, its people, and its economy. A few birding stops along the way produced some fantastic sightings, including African Harrier Hawk, Long-crested Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard, Angola Swallow, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Yellow-mantled Weaver, African Darter, and a delightful surprise—Forest Swallow.
We reached the Damengola Forest in the late afternoon and had a phenomenal birding session. Almost immediately upon exiting the vehicle, we heard our main target, the Braun’s Bushshrike, calling nearby. Before long, we had incredible views of this gorgeous and unique Angolan endemic. Other highlights from the afternoon included Guinea Turaco, Congo Pied, Piping, and Black-casqued Hornbills, Bocage’s Bushshrike, a cooperative Red-tailed Bristlebill, Falkenstein’s Greenbul, Ross’s Turaco, Narrow-tailed Starling, Crested and Red-headed Malimbe, White-breasted and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, and a lively flock of Rufous-crowned Eremomelas. It was an incredibly productive afternoon.
Afterward, we made our way to our hotel in Uíge, where we enjoyed a delicious meal and updated our birding lists. Reflecting on the day’s highlights and discussing tomorrow’s targets, we called it a night, ready for another exciting day ahead.
Day 4: Birding the Damengola Forest and northern scrap forests.
An early start with coffee in hand set the tone for our exploration of the Damengola Forest and the northern scarp forests. This unique area of Angola is home to a range of equatorial West African species that extend into this northern region. The forest was alive with activity upon our arrival, and we were quickly treated to excellent views of a Yellow-throated Nicator, calling energetically. Guinea Turacos bounded between trees, while both Piping and African Pied Hornbills moved busily to and from feeding sites. As we ventured deeper into the forest, we were rewarded with sightings of Pink-footed Puffback, African Blue Flycatcher, Green Crombec, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Great Blue Turaco, Blue Malkoha, African Emerald Cuckoo in the open, African Dwarf Kingfisher, and several barbets, including Yellow-billed, Bristle-nosed, and Naked-faced Barbets. Additional highlights included Least Honeyguide, Bates Paradise Flycatcher, White-chinned Prinia, and Yellow-browed Camaroptera.
During breakfast in the forest, the deep hoots of a Gabon Coucal echoed nearby, and soon we had clear views of this elusive bird—another endemic species to check off our list! Continuing our exploration, we found a striking Lowland Masked Apalis, a sought-after target, along with Chestnut Wattle-eye, the stunning Black Bee-eater (arguably one of Africa’s most beautiful birds), Brown-headed Apalis, Banded Prinia, Black-and-white Mannikins, several Chocolate-backed Kingfishers calling, and Simple, Plain, and Cabanis’s Greenbuls.
At the edge of the forest, the grasslands offered additional treasures, including Chattering Cisticola, Orange-cheeked Waxbills, Compact Weaver, Orange-tufted Sunbird, Copper Sunbird, Sooty Chat, and the much-anticipated, Black-collared Bulbul, which provided fantastic photo opportunities. On our way to a forest pond for lunch, we stopped to observe waterbirds such as Little Grebe, Striated Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, and raptors like Western Banded Snake Eagle. A particularly thrilling moment was spotting a Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, a remarkable addition to our trip list.
The afternoon focused on targeting a few remaining key species, with the highly localized and endangered White-throated Greenbul taking centre stage. This Angolan endemic required some effort, but we eventually had excellent views of a pair feeding in the tangles. Other highlights included Blue-throated Rollers displaying overhead, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Leaflove, and Sooty Flycatcher. A Forest Scrub-Robin caught our attention with its calls, but despite our best efforts, it remained elusive—one to save for another day.
We returned to Uíge after a highly successful day, freshened up, and enjoyed a relaxed dinner. Conversations cantered around birding, other African destinations on our wish lists, and countries opening up to tourism. After a rewarding day, we all settled in for a restful night.
Day 5: Uige to Kalandula, birding en-route.
We enjoyed a relaxed breakfast before packing up and heading south to the Kalandula area, home to Angola’s most famous scenic attraction, the Calandula Falls, which is also the second-largest waterfall in Africa. The drive was uneventful, with a few stops along the way to pick up species such as Angola Lark, Northern Fiscal, Broad-tailed Warbler (also known as Fan-tailed Grassbird), Mosque Swallow, Copper Sunbird, and Marsh Widowbird. During the drive, we caught up on our lists, discussed the birding ahead, and chatted about various birding topics. A coffee stop by a small stream provided excellent views of a Giant Kingfisher, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Speckled Mousebird, Red-faced Cisticola, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Willow Warbler, Northern Yellow White-eye, and a group of Orange-cheeked Waxbills feeding in the open.
Afterward, we continued our journey to Calandula, where the falls were truly spectacular. We were treated to fantastic views of Mottled, Common, and White-rumped Swifts, as well as a beautiful Violet-backed Starling, displaying its iridescent purple hues.
In the afternoon, we explored a small forest patch just outside of town, and our birding proved fruitful. We spotted a Gorgeous Bushshrike, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, and enjoyed an impressive sighting of an African Broadbill, which performed its characteristic wing zonation display. A few thousand Common Swifts were seen feeding on emerging termites, and we also had great views of a Red-capped Robin Chat and the stunning Schalow’s Turaco.
After such a rewarding day, we headed back to our comfortable hotel, freshened up, and gathered for a wonderful dinner. We updated our lists, enjoyed a few cold drinks, and shared stories about the diverse birds we’d seen. It was exciting to hear about the travels and birding experiences from different parts of the world, as well as the group’s enthusiasm for the species yet to come. We all retired for a well-deserved night’s sleep, reflecting on another exciting day of exploring Angola and its avian treasure
Day 6: Birding Kinjila and surrounds.
We began the day early again, heading to Kinjila Village to meet our exceptional local guide, João, who would join us for the morning’s adventure. Upon arriving at Kinjila, we immediately set off into the nearby swamp forests, home to the stunning White-headed Robin-Chat, a species recently rediscovered and known only from a few specific locations. As we made our way through the miombo, we were treated to our first views of the coveted Sharp-tailed Starling, along with Meyer’s Parrots, Black, African, and Red-chested Cuckoos, Black Scimitarbill, and excellent views of Anchieta’s Barbet, another key target species for the area. We also encountered Marsh Tchagra, Miombo Scrub Robin, and African (Landana) Firefinch along the way.
As we neared the area where the White-headed Robin-Chats had been spotted, it didn’t take long for us to locate three of them moving about nearby. We enjoyed fantastic views of these rare birds—what a treat! Simultaneously, a pair of Black-backed Barbets appeared, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of these unique and special birds as well. After such an exciting start to the day, we took a brief pause for coffee before continuing to explore the rich diversity of species in the Kinjila Forest.
The rest of the morning was spent birding the forest and miombo, where we had good views of White-winged Black Tit, Southern Hyliota, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Broad-billed Roller, and Striped and Brown-hooded Kingfishers. We enjoyed a relaxing lunch under the shade of the trees before heading back for a break during the heat of the day. Our afternoon session in the miombo was equally rewarding, with sightings of Orange-winged Pytilia, Black Saw-wing, Eurasian Hobby, and African Barred Owlet.
Another successful day was capped off with lively conversation back at the hotel, where we marvelled at the incredible birds we’d encountered and discussed the inspiring conservation efforts at Kinjila Village aimed at protecting the gallery forest and miombo habitats.
Day 7: Birding Kinjila and transfer to N’dalatando.
We started our morning with a delicious breakfast before saying our farewells and heading to explore the wetland areas around Kinjila. A stop at the Lucala River treated us to a spectacular sight of a large flock of Red-throated Cliff Swallows. Other notable sightings in the area included Greater Swamp Warbler, Chirping Cisticola, African Marsh Harrier, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Yellow Bishop, and flocks of stunning Orange-cheeked Waxbills. The drive to N’dalatando was quick and uneventful, giving us the chance to discuss the birding ahead and the fascinating places we passed along the way.
Upon checking into our hotel, we took a short rest before heading out to bird a small section of Tombingo Forest, located near our accommodation. The afternoon proved to be quite productive, with a wide variety of birds present. We enjoyed sightings of the colorful Klaas’s Cuckoo, Speckled Tinkerbird, Naked-faced Barbet, Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird, Black-winged Oriole, Tambourine Dove, Ashy Flycatcher, Buff-throated Apalis, and the stunning Superb Sunbird.
As the sun set, we made our way back to our accommodation, where we spent the evening discussing birds, wildlife conservation, and the positive impact of birding tourism. We savoured a wonderful meal before retiring for a restful night’s sleep.
Day 8: Birding Birding Tombingo Forest, and transfer to Conda.
We had a slightly later start this morning, as today was primarily a travel day, heading further south to the Conda area, home to the endemic-rich Kumbira Forest. We spent the morning birding in Tombingo Forest, where we had another fantastic birding session. Our day began with a mixed flock of Piping and African Pied Hornbills, along with the loud calls of Red-fronted Parrots. We enjoyed close-up views of Bristle-nosed and Naked-faced Barbets, the striking, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, African Shrike Flycatcher, Green Crombec, Blue-throated Brown, Superb, and Carmelite Sunbirds. With a long drive ahead, we continued our journey to new areas.
A few stops along the way, including one at our lunch break by a water body, rewarded us with sightings of Western Osprey, Yellow-billed and White-faced Whistling Duck, Little Bittern, Squaco Heron, Chirping Cisticola, and both Great and Yellow-billed Egret.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent in transit, navigating the winding road to Conda, where we arrived just before dusk. The drive gave us a chance to learn about Angola’s geology and landscapes while catching up on our birding lists. Once we arrived, we settled in, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and then retired for a restful night’s sleep.
Day 9 and 10: Birding Kumbira Forest.
We began our mornings early to take full advantage of the dawn hours and bird the Kumbira Forest, one of Angola’s most important birding locations. The forest is home to several Angolan endemics that are largely restricted to this central part of the escarpment, making it a crucial site for birdwatchers. Sadly, the forest is under serious threat from widespread deforestation, and it was evident during our visit that there were no signs of this trend slowing down. Immediate action is desperately needed to protect this vital habitat.
During our two full days in the area, we worked hard to track down as many of our target species as possible. The ‘forest’ itself, primarily composed of cleared and open bushy areas with larger trees lining water courses, required us to make regular stops whenever we encountered bird activity.
Our first morning started off strong, with an early stop yielding the first of our endemic targets: the Gabela Akalat, a shy forest robin. We were thrilled to get excellent, open views of this elusive bird. Over the next two days, we enjoyed sightings of several more of the region’s key species, including the impressive Trumpeter Hornbill, the striking and vocal Black-throated Apalis, Bubbling Cisticola, Northern Yellow White-eye (Angolan race), Brown Illadopsis, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Angola Batis, African Blue Flycatcher, Green Twinspot, Lizard Buzzard, Grey Waxbill, Falkenstein’s Greenbul, and Buff-throated Apalis. The sunbird diversity in the area was exceptional, and we had great views of Blue-throated Brown, Green-headed, Olive, Ludwig’s Double-collared, Johanna’s, Superb, and Variable Sunbirds.
One of the highlights of our stay was witnessing an African Broadbill perform its incredible display flight just an arm’s length away—an unforgettable experience. At the same time, we had excellent views of a pair of Red-crested Turacos. We also encountered the fascinating and puzzling local race of Southern Hyliota (known as Forest Hyliota), Dusky Tit, Blue Malkoha, and Yellow-throated Nicator, all adding to the richness of the birdlife in the area. A surprising sighting of Scaly-breasted Illadopsis during one of our lunch breaks was another welcome treat.
On our second morning, we were treated to extraordinary views of another elusive forest robin, the Brown-chested Alethe, which sat motionless nearby, allowing everyone to enjoy its beauty. Another major target, the unique-looking Pulitzer’s Longbill, was cooperative, and we had excellent views of a pair. A Forest Scrub Robin also provided the group with some fantastic looks.
Despite our best efforts, we were only able to hear the elusive Gabela Bushshrike, a notoriously difficult bird to spot. After much trying, we made the collective decision to stop calling for the bird, as it was breeding, and we didn’t want to cause undue stress or disturbance to this critically endangered species.
While the birding in this area was fantastic, it was hard to ignore the impact of slash-and-burn farming and habitat loss taking place in the area. Our comfortable lodge nearby served some excellent meals, and we all enjoyed the evenings chatting. A Wood Owl in the garden on our last night was a welcome addition to the end of a great stay.
Day 11: Conda to Mount Moco.
The next leg of our journey, which many had been eagerly anticipating, took us from the Kumbira Forest region towards Mount Moco, the highest peak in Angola. As we left our accommodation, we were treated to the unexpected sight of an African Goshawk. The drive went smoothly, offering us more opportunities to learn about Angola while discussing birding and upcoming trips. A few stops along the way in the Miombo and surrounding grasslands yielded some fantastic sightings, including Peregrine Falcon, Golden-breasted Bunting, Piping Cisticola (Neddicky), a beautiful Moustached Grass Warbler, lively Rufous-bellied Tits, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Lesser Honeyguide, Anchieta’s Sunbird, Brown Snake Eagle, and a spectacular view of an Ayres’s Hawk Eagle.
We arrived at our lodge just as an afternoon thunderstorm rolled in and settled in to enjoy a delicious meal while discussing plans for our exciting day ahead at Mount Moco.
Day 12: Birding Mount Moco IBA.
One of the most anticipated days of the trip had arrived – our full day exploring Mount Moco, where we would search the mountain slopes for montane specials and the last remaining country endemics. We set off early from our lodge to arrive at the forested lower slopes during the best part of the day. A refreshing contrast to the troubling sight of the rapidly disappearing Kumbira Forest, the Kanjonde village has an active reforestation initiative, where the appropriate trees are being replanted. Instead of tackling the challenging hike all the way to the top forest patch, we focused on the smaller, fragmented patches on the lower slopes, just above the village, which also serve as the core area of the reforestation effort. The weather was perfect, and the views were breathtaking as we enjoyed a fantastic morning of birding.
Our birding started off with Greater Striped Swallows feeding overhead as we had breakfast. Throughout the morning, we encountered several swallow species, including Lesser Striped, Western House Martin, Grey-rumped Swallow, Black Saw-wing, Horus Swift, and the stunning Black-and-rufous Swallow, which put on a magnificent display. As we climbed higher up the hillside, we spotted the local race of Rock-loving Cisticola (soon to be split as Huambo Cisticola) and our first endemic bird of the day, the beautiful Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird, which offered great photo opportunities. We also enjoyed sightings of Augur Buzzard, Red-throated Wryneck, Bokmakierie, African Hill Babbler, Grey Apalis, and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers before finding a pair of Angola Slaty Flycatchers – another endemic to check off the list.
In the denser growth areas on the slopes, we spent considerable time searching for one of Angola’s most elusive endemics – Swierstra’s Spurfowl. The bird’s calls were heard, but it remained hidden in the thick underbrush. After an extensive search, we were rewarded with distant scope views of this special bird – a moment of triumph that made the effort worthwhile. Shortly after, we spotted the striking Angolan Waxbill, which gave us incredible close-up views. Dusky Twinspots were a bit more elusive, offering only fleeting glimpses. Other species spotted included Olive Woodpecker, Wailing and Wing-snapping Cisticolas, Angola Lark, African Dusky Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Warbler, Bronzy Sunbird, and Yellow-crowned Canary.
After descending from the forest, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved coffee and rusks before heading into the miombo woodlands on the lower slopes for an afternoon of birding. The grasslands on our way down produced Temminck’s Courser, Capped Wheatear, Common (Kurrichane) Buttonquail, and Rock Kestrel.
Our afternoon was filled with birds as we encountered Oustalet’s Sunbird – a target for some in the group – as well as Copper, Variable, and Amethyst Sunbirds. Riverine trees hosted a lovely Anchieta’s Barbet, African Golden Oriole, while the surrounding dense growth revealed Helmeted Guineafowl, a Spotted Eagle Owl perched in the open, Coppery-tailed Coucal, African Yellow Warbler, Short-winged Cisticola, Yellow Bishop, and Fawn-breasted Waxbill. Several stops near the larger rivers offered sightings of Rock Pratincole, African Pied Wagtail, African Wattled Lapwing, and African Openbill.
As often happens in miombo woodland, where bird activity can vary depending on the bird parties present, we were fortunate to find Green-capped and Salvadori’s Eremomelas, Red-capped Crombec, Wood and African Pipits, Red-headed Weaver, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, and Pale Flycatcher.
After a rewarding day of birding, we returned to our lodge to relax, freshen up, and update our lists.
Day 13: Birding the greater Moco area and transfer to Lobito.
We spent the entire morning birding the greater Mount Moco area, focusing on the Miombo to track down a few species we had yet to spot. The highlight of the morning was a stunning sighting of the localized and highly sought-after Bocage’s Sunbird. The Miombo proved to be quite lively, and we had great success with several bird parties, adding Wood Pipits, Western Violet-backed Sunbirds, Hartlaub’s Babbler, Miombo Wren Warbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, Grey Penduline Tit, Red-capped Crombec, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow, and numerous Green-capped Eremomelas to our list. A stop at a promising floodplain provided excellent views of Black-and-rufous Swallows, along with other common species like Chirping Cisticola, Marsh Widowbird, and Quailfinch.
Our journey to the coast was smooth, and we enjoyed the changing landscapes as we chatted about our past and upcoming birding trips. The discussion also touched on potential splits among some Angolan bird species, and before long, we found ourselves by the cool Atlantic Ocean.
In the afternoon, we birded the wetlands and coastal areas, adding a variety of species to our lists. We spotted Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Water Thick-knee, Cape and Red-billed Teals, Pied Avocet, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Caspian, Common, and West African Crested Terns, Great White Pelican, and Black Heron.
Afterwards, we had some downtime at our lodge, where some of the group went for a run along the lagoon, while others relaxed in the refreshing swimming pool or ventured into the sea. We wrapped up the day with a delicious seafood dinner and retired for a restful night’s sleep.
Day 14: Lobito to Lubango, birding en-route via Benguela.
We started the morning by heading inland from Benguela, aiming for some mountain birding and hoping to spot a few of Namibia’s distinctive species. Our main target was the elusive Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, and we were thrilled to get fantastic views of it. The walk through the area proved to be highly rewarding, and we enjoyed seeing several striking birds, including the conspicuous White-tailed Shrike, Rockrunner, Desert Cisticola, Pririt Batis, Grey Go-away-bird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Carp’s Tit, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Purple Roller, White-crested Helmetshrike, Black-chested Prinia, Marico Sunbird, White-bellied Sunbird, Dusky Sunbird, Barred Wren-Warbler, Kalahari Scrub Robin, and a beautiful pair of Violet-eared Waxbills.
A special highlight came during our picnic lunch when we were fortunate enough to spot a family of Southern Ground Hornbills. A few roadside stops later, we added Booted Eagle, Bateleur, and a White-backed Vulture perched on a Baobab tree – our first and only of the trip.
We arrived at our comfortable lodge in the late afternoon, where we settled in for the final two nights of the journey. After another delicious meal, we shared stories about our experiences in Angola and updated our bird lists. An early night followed, as we looked forward to another exciting day ahead exploring the dramatic mountains of the Tundavala area.
Day 15: Birding Tundavala.
Our exciting day of birding at the Tundavala escarpment began early as we aimed to make the most of the stunning location. We were greeted by a breathtaking sunrise as we explored this spectacular area. Our birding kicked off on a high note with excellent views of a pair of Angolan Cave Chats. After a hearty breakfast, we focused on some of the area’s specialties, and we were fortunate to spot a variety of birds, including Double-collared Sunbirds, Angolan Slaty Flycatcher, Booted Eagles, displaying Rock Kestrels, Alpine Swift, Mountain Wheatear, and Orange-breasted Bushshrike.
After a rewarding start to the day, we took a quick coffee break before heading down one of the gorges in search of the local race of White-headed Barbet. Our first walk proved successful with sightings of Short-toed Rock Thrush and a showy Rockrunner. A Bocage’s Akalat also made a great appearance in the open, marking a new bird for the trip after we had missed it earlier. Finding the Barbet took some time, but we were eventually rewarded with fantastic views of a pair at their nest. We were also treated to stunning views of Oustalet’s Sunbirds. Other highlights from the area included Jameson’s Firefinch (also known as Ansorge’s Firefinch), Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Buffy, Striped and Plain-backed Pipits, and the beautiful Angola Waxbill.
Our day spent exploring the scenic Tundavala region could not have been better. Afterward, we returned to our comfortable accommodation for a delicious meal and time to relax and reflect on our adventures. We celebrated a special milestone when one of our guests spotted their 3000th bird species worldwide. It was a memorable evening filled with celebration and camaraderie.
Day 16: Birding Day trip to Namibe and departure to Luanda for international flights home.
Our final full day began with a breathtaking sunrise as we made our way towards the famous Leba Pass, descending into the dry, arid plains of the Namibe region. The landscape gradually became more arid as we approached the coast, offering a wonderful mix of birdlife to enjoy throughout the day. As we descended the scenic Leba Pass, we were treated to stunning views, and at the viewpoint, we added Angola Cave Chat to our list.
Our first birding stop was at the riverine scrub below the pass, where our primary target was the elusive Cinderella Waxbill. Fortune was on our side, and we quickly found four individuals feeding and drinking up close—what an incredible start to the day. We continued birding the area, adding several more Namibian specialties, including Bare-cheeked Babbler, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, and Rüppell’s Parrot.
Additional highlights included Bradfield’s and Alpine Swifts, a pair of Verreaux’s Eagles soaring overhead, African Hoopoe, Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush, Grey Go-away-bird, Red-backed Mousebird, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pririt Batis, Brown-crowned Tchagra, White-crested Helmetshrike, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, and White-bellied Sunbird.
We then made our way to the dry, sparse Namib Desert plains, where we spotted a family of Rüppell’s Korhaan and enjoyed excellent views of several Benguela Long-billed Larks, which put on a great display for us. Other notable sightings in the area included Spike-heeled Lark, Tractrac Chats, Mountain Wheatear, the local pale race of Karoo Chats, Acacia Pied Barbet, Pale Chanting Goshawk, White-throated Canary, Pale-winged Starling, and Chat Flycatcher.
After lunch, before heading to the airport, we birded the thorny scrubland between the gravel plains and the pass. Here, we encountered a variety of sunbirds, including Scarlet-chested, Dusky, and White-bellied Sunbirds, as well as Pririt Batis hopping about in the bushes. Other species included Kalahari Scrub Robin, Brubru, Lark-like Buntings, Scaly-feathered Finch, and Cape Penduline Tits. With our late afternoon flight approaching, we made our way back to Lubango, soaking in the magnificent scenery of the Leba Pass. We ended our unforgettable trip to Angola with a final list tally and a celebratory drink at the airport.
Thanks to the group for being such wonderful guests and for the great time we had together. We all shared a good couple of laughs. A fantastic 16 days of birding in incredible and diverse Angola came to an end. We all had a blast and had an amazing time and left with a tear in the eye after a lovely trip. I would like to thank our local guides, for the knowledge, and help in making the tour run so smoothly and for the hard work put in on the trip. Thanks to the Nature Travel Birding office for all the behind the scenes work that went on to ensure the tour was a success. I look forward to my next trip to this up-and-coming birding spot in Africa.
