Indian Ocean Special Tour Leaflet 2022 - BIRDING AFRICA
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BIRDING
AFRICA
THE AFRICA SPECIALISTS
Indian Ocean Special
Tour Leaflet
2022
© Colin Rogers
Barau's Petrel
23 October - 11 November 2022
Indian Ocean Special Moheli Scops Owl
Birding Africa Tour Summary
Birding Africa Tour Summary
Tour leader: Michael Mills
BIRDING
AFRICATHE AFRICA SPECIALISTS
Indian Ocean Island
• Back-to-back tours covering
virtually all the non-
Madagascan endemics of the
western Indian Ocean
© Michael Mills
• Visit all four the Comoros
Islands, including Mayotte Michael's incredible focus, dedication and ability to
locate and show Africa's toughest birds is probably
• See the Granitic Seychelles and unequalled on the continent. He has led dozens of Our back-to-back tours, one to Comoros Islands two endemics, before we move onto the Seychelles.
Mascarene Islands (Reunion, tours across Africa and his experience in locating and one to Seychelles and the Mascarene Islands, The highlands of Mahé hold the greatest number
Mauritius and Rodrigues) birds on just the softest of calls or briefest of views offer a unique opportunity to see virtually all non- of endemics here, but we will also visit La Digue,
impresses those who travelled with him. Madagascar endemic birds of the western Indian Cousin, Aride and Praslin, in search of all of the
• Pink Pigeon, Seychelles Kestrel, Ocean Islands. The only island group with endemics endemics of the granitic Seychelles.
Mauritius Kestrel, 5 scops owls, Dates not covered is the far-flung Aldabra Group.
Humblot's Flycatcher, seabirds In Comoros we start off on Grande Comore Tour Focus
Comoros 23-31 Oct 2022 Island, where most of our time will be spent on
Seychelles and Mascarenes the impressive volcano of Mount Karthala with its The Comoros, Mascarenes and Seychelles Islands
© Colin Rogers
1-11 Nov 2022 endemic-rich forests. A short plane-hop to Moheli offer a total of more than 50 bird endemics,
Madagascar 13-29 Nov 2022 allows us to target all the single-island endemics plus impressive seabird spectacles, spectacular
during the two-night stay, before we take a boat landscapes, unique plants and varied cultures,
trip to Anjouan Island for two more nights and offering ample for both the world lister and more
Pro�isional Prices (+ Single) several more endemics. Finally we end on Mayotte, generalist birders.
Comoros $3495 + $450 politically part of France, where we hope to see our This trip has a strong focus on watching birds,
fourth scops owl.
Seychelles and Mascarenes but there are opportunities too for some mammal
$5695 + $595 Regular flights between Mayotte and Reunion make watching and very good chances for photography.
it easy for us to get to the start of the Seychelles and We will also take a few pelagic/seabird trips.
Both $9495 + $995
Mascarenes Tour. We start off in the highlands of Let us know if you have target species or want to
Includes numerous internal flights. Reunion, and also watch flocks of Barau's Petrels know more about the species we might encounter.
coming near inshore in the evening. A species list will be handed out to you at the start of
A short flight brings us to Mauritius, where our the tour and is available beforehand upon request.
Book online birding focuses on the famous Black River Gorges The tour is timed to coincide with the peak time for
Visit www.birdingafrica.com and Ile Aigrettes, and we take a pelagic trip to birding across the region as a whole. We expect to
Deposit ($150) by credit card Round Island with its unique hybrid swarm of encounter a small amount of rain. Most days will
petrels. A day trip to Rodrigues sees us making the
Pink Pigeon Email info@birdingafrica.com short flight there and back in search of the island's
be warm and tropical, although the highlands in
Reunion can be cool.
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Accommodation and meals International flights INTRODUCTION
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Accommodation and meals are generally of a good Please plan to arrive by the night of the following
international standard, although they are a bit dates: The numerous islands of the western Indian Ocean, volcanic landscape on Reunion is spectacular, and
more basic on the Comoros islands of Moheli and surrounding Madagascar, together hold more than the highlands steep. We start off in the highlands of
• Comoros: 23 October on Grande Comore 50 endemic birds. Each set of islands has a unique northern Reunion looking for the rarest endemic,
Anjouan. All rooms have private ablutions. We plan
Island. and distinctive evolutionary and human history, Reunion Cuckooshrike, alongside Reunion Bulbul,
to do no camping on the Comoros.
• Seychelles and Mascarenes: 1 November at St which together make for a fascinating region to Reunion, Grey White-eye, Reunion Olive White-
Meals are generally Western-style. Please advise if visit. We offer two back-to-back tours, the first to eye, Reunion Stonechat, Mascarene Paradise
Denis on Reunion
you are vegetarian and what foods you enjoy, so that Comoros and the second to Reunion, Mauritius, Flycatcher and Mascarene Swiftlet. Reunion Harrier
we can cater for you. Departure at the end of the trip not before the Rodrigues and the granitic Seychelles, allowing you is more common in the lowlands, and offshore we'll
following dates. to sample the entire region in one go. watch for Barau's Petrel and Tropical Shearwater,
Water is not safe to drink so we supply
complimentary bottled water throughout the trips. but the very rare Mascarene Petrel being the only
• Comoros: the night of 31 October from The four main islands of the Comoros lie to the
endemic that we are unlikely to see.
Mayotte north-west of Madagascar, between Madagascar
and the African mainland. Three islands form the Mauritius and Rodrigues island together hold
Walking • Seychelles: the afternoon of 11 November
Republic of Comoros, whereas Mayotte is part of another ten endemics. In the forests of the famous
from Victoria on Mahé
The Comoro Islands require a moderate degree France. They are a chain of volcanic islands, with Black River Gorges we should encounter Pink
of fitness, with one tougher walk. The Seychelles Please email michael@birdingafrica.com a copy Grande Comore in the west the youngest (and Pigeon, Echo Parakeet, Mauritius Cuckooshrike,
and Mascarene Islands Tour requires very little of your proposed flight details for approval before possessing the highest mountain, Mount Karthala) Mauritius Bulbul, Mauritius Grey White-eye and
walking, with one slightly longer hike on Reunion. paying for your ticket. and Mayotte in the east the oldest and flattest. Mauritius Fody. Mauritius Kestrel is harder to track
Conditions underfoot can be muddy at times. Each island has it's own endemics, but it is the down and will require a special outing to find, and
largest, Grande Comore, which holds the greatest a visit to Ile Aigrettes is likely to turn up Mauritius
Group size number of species. We spend two nights on each Olive White-eye which is now very rare on the
Maximum 10 participants. of the Comoro Islands, except Mayotte where the mainland. A day trip to Rodrigues island will enable
endemic scops owl is easily seen in the day, and aim us to look for Rodrigues Warbler and Rodrigues
to see all endemic birds of the region, of which there Fody. We'll also take a pelagic trip off northern
are more than 20, plus many other potential splits Mauritius to Round Island, where a hybrid swarm
currently recognised as endemic subspecies. Each of petrels breed known as Round Islands Petrels,
island has an endemic scops owl, and other diverse and other seabirds include Masked Booby, Wedge-
groups represented on all or most islands include tailed Shearwater and Red-tailed Tropicbird.
white-eyes, drongos, thrushes, sunbirds, fodies,
Finally, the granitic Seychelles are the most remote
bulbuls and paradise flycatchers. Top birds include
islands of the region, lying more than 1000 km
Humblot's Flycatcher on Mount Karthala, Comoros
north-east of Madagascar. The main island of Mahé
Cuckooshrike, Comoro Blue Cuckooshrike,
holds the greatest number of endemics, and in it's
Cuckoo Roller, Comoros Blue Pigeon, Comoros
highland forests we will search for Seychelles Blue
Green Pigeon and Comoros Olive Pigeon.
Pigeon, Seychelles Scops Owl, Seychelles Swiftlet,
The Mascarene Islands and Seychelles are oceanic Seychelles Kestrel, Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles
islands, located south-east and north-east of White-eye and Seychelles Sunbird. The remaining
Madagascar, respectively. The Mascarene Islands, endemics are confined either to single islands
sadly, are more famous for the birds they have lost (Seychelles Black Parrot on Praslin and Seychelles
(Dodo and Solitaire) than the birds they still hold, Paradise Flycatcher on La Digue), or several small
but some of the greatest conservation successes islands such as Cousin and Aride (Seychelles
globally mean that it is still possible to see Pink Warbler, Seychelles Magpie-Robin and Seychelles
Pigeons and Mauritius Kestrels, birds that were Fody), where spectacular seabird colonies are an
teetering on the brink of extinction 50 years ago. added feature, with hoards of breeding Lesser
Similar successes have saved many of the remaining Noddy, Brown Noddy, White Tern and Sooty Tern,
© Colin Rogers
landbirds on the Seychelles. smaller numbers of Bridled Tern, and a roost of
Greater Frigatebird. We will also look for Crab
The three main Mascarene Islands are Reunion,
White Tern Plover on Mahé.
part of France, Mauritius and Rodrigues. The active
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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY 28 Oct: Moheli to Anjouan 31 Oct: Mayotte
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Today we transfer to the second largest island, Our final day in the Comoros will be split between
Anjouan, some 60 km east of Moheli. We will the highlands and lowlands of Mayotte. Near the
23 Oct: Arrive Grande Comore The rest of our time will be spent on the mountain either take a flight back to Grande Comore and on coast we will search for Comoro Fody, Mayotte
itself, where we plan to drive in 4x4s to 1600 m to Anjouan, or, if at all possible, use a good quality White-eye and Mayotte Sunbird, and other species
Welcome to the Comores! After a half-hour
altitude and then continue to walk up to search fishing boat to make the journey, which would allow we may find include Allen's Gallinule, Madagascar
drive from the airport you will be dropped at our
for Karthala White-eye in the upper heathlands. us to look for the local race of Persian Shearwater. Pond Heron and Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher.
comfortable hotel in Moroni town, for an overnight
Overhead we'll watch for the endemic form of Arriving at Anjouan we'll search for Anjouan Scops The tour ends after lunch for those not joining
stay.
Madagascar Spinetail. Lower down the forests Owl in the evening. Night on the south-western the Seychelles and Mascarenes Tour. Overnight in
become lusher and taller, and it is here that we'll coast of Anjouan. coastal Mayotte
24-25 Oct: Grande Comore search for Comoro Fody (ESS), Grande Comore
We have two full days to explore forests of Grande Brush Warbler, Comoro Blue Pigeon, Comoro
29 Oct: Anjouan
© Michael Mills
Comore Island. All birds except Grande Comore Olive Pigeon, Humblot's Sunbird, Madagascar
Drongo are best seen on Mount Karthala, and we'll Paradise Flycatcher (ESS), Lesser Vasa Parrot (ESS), We have a full day to bird
make a special detour on our first morning to the Madagascar Green Sunbird (ESS), Cuckoo Roller Anjouan, and will focus on
north-east of the island to search for it. (ESS), Comoro Cuckooshrike, Grande Comore searching for birds in the
Bulbul, Humblot's Flycatcher and Comore Thrush. western and central forests.
Staying after dark we will search for Karthala Scops Comoro Fody, Crested Drongo
© Michael Mills
Owl, before driving back to Moroni in the evening.. (ESS), Anjouan Sunbird,
Nights in Moroni Greater Vasa Parrots, Comoro
Blue Pigeons, Comoros Thrush,
26 Oct: Grande Comore to Moheli Anjouan Brush Warbler and
Madagascar Turtle Dove will
Some 40 km south-east of Grande Comore lies the all be on our radars. Along
smallest island of the region, Moheli. We'll take a the coast we hope to find two
short flight to Moheli, visiting the central highlands local forms of Striated Heron
in the afternoon to search for our first endemic and Madagascar Malachite
forms, namely Comoro Thrush, Humblot's Sunbird, Kingfisher. Night on the north
Madagascar Green Sunbird and Madagascar coast of Anjouan.
Paradise Flycatcher, with Moheli Brush Warbler
the most widespread endemic species. As it gets
30 Oct: Anjouan to Mayotte
dark we'll search for Moheli Scops Owl, before
descending to our basic seaside hotel on the coast. Leaving Anjouan by air we'll
Night in coastal Moheli. touch down on the nearby
island of Mayotte, much
27 Oct: Moheli more developed than the
other Comoros islands and
We have a full day to explore the best forests located politically part of France. A
on the south-west of the island. The rarest bird is short drive will bring us to
Comoro Green Pigeon, which we hope to find lower our accommodation in the
down not far from the coast. A small climb will start central highlands, surrounded
getting us into suitable habitat for Moheli Bulbul by forest where Mayotte
and Comoro Blue Vanga, Comoro Fody and Cuckoo Scops Owl, Mayotte Drongo,
Roller. Those that wish to continue higher stand the Mayotte Sunbird and Mayotte
chance to see the very rare local forms of Comoro White-eye are found. Frances's
Cuckooshrike and Madagascar Brush Warbler, but Sparrowhawk is especially
the climb is steep so most people will probably elect common, and Cuckoo Roller
to return to the hotel early for a relaxed time at the conspicuous by voice. Night in
coast. Night in coastal Moheli. the highlands of Mayotte
Anjouan Scops Owl Frances's Sparrowhawk
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1 Nov: Mayotte to Reunion//arrive Reunion islands rarest endemic, the Critically Endangered and return in the late afternoon,
© Colin Rogers
Reunion Cuckooshrike, of which a few pairs which should give us ample time
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Those joining both tours today take the flight from occur along the trail. As we climb we'll watch out to find the two endemics of the
Mayotte to St Denis on Reunion Island, where those for Reunion Grey White-eye, Mascarene Paradise island, now fortunately much more
joining only the Seychelles and Mascarenes Tour Flycatcher and Reunion Bulbul. Overhead we'll common than they were some 20
will join us. Overnight in St Denis. watch out for Reunion Harrier and Mascarene years ago. Both Rodrigues Fody
Swiftlet. In the afternoon we'll visit some different and Rodrigues Warbler are rather
2 Nov: Reunion parts of the island before an evening seawatch common in patches of native forest,
to see thousands of Barau's Petrels and Tropical and we'll visit two of the best sites
With a full day on Reunion we'll start off with an
Shearwaters, coming ashore. Night in St Denis. during our visit.
early drive into the highlands above St Denis. All
the endemic land birds of Reunion occur here
and it should not take long before we find our first 3 Nov: Reunion to Mauritius 6 Nov: Mauritius
Reunion Stonechat and Reunion Olive White-eyes We have a second morning on Reunion to find any We have a second full day on
around the famous a Roche Écrite trail head. Our species that may be missing, before taking a short Mauritius, during which we plan to
main reason for visiting this area is to search for the flight to Mauritius Island. Night near Mahenbourg. track down Mauritius Kestrel and
visit Ile Aigrettes which is being
restored by the Mauritian Wildlife
© Colin Rogers
Foundation. At the latter site we
hope to see Mauritius Olive White-
eye and Mauritius Fody. We will
also revisit Black River Gorges if we
are missing any species from here.
4 Nov: Mauritius
© Colin Rogers
With a full day on Mauritius, we'll first head to the
island's premier wildlife destination, the Black River
Gorges. We'll focus our efforts on two areas, the
Maccabee Trail where we will search for Mauritius
Grey White-eye, Mauritius Fody, Mauritius
Cuckooshrike and Echo Parakeet. Around Pigeon
Wood we should see good numbers of Pink Pigeon
In the afternoon we'll drive to the north of the island
for a pelagic trip to Round Island. Here we will
study the Round Island Petrels, which are a hybrid
swarm composed of Trinidade Petrel, Kermadec
Petrel and Herald Petrel, no doubt debating what
can and can't be ticked. Other seabirds likely to be
encountered include Masked Booby and Wedge-
tailed Shearwater..
5 Nov: Rodrigues
The far-flung island of Rodrigues lies some 600
km east of Mauritius. Fortunately there are several
flights per day between the main islands, making it
possible to visit Rodrigues as a day trip. We'll take an
Barau's Petrel early morning flight lasting 1h 40 min to the island Mauritius Kestrel
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© Colin Rogers 9 Nov: Mahé to Praslin to Cousin of seabirds including Sooty Tern, Bridled Tern,
Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Tropical Shearwater,
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
This morning we take an early flight to neighbouring Greater Frigatebird and Lesser Frigatebird. We also
Praslin Island, where an early morning outing to have a second chance to see Seychelles Magpie-
forests of the central highlands should allow us to Robin, Seychelles Fody and Seychelles Warbler.
find Seychelles Black Parrot. Later in the morning Second visits to search for Seychelles Black Parrot
we'll take a boat trip to nearby Cousin Island, where and Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher will be made if
impressive numbers of Lesser Noddy, Brown Noddy necessary. In the late afternoon we will return by
and White Tern breed, and Seychelles Magpie- air to Mahé Island. We have another chance for
Robin, Seychelles Fody and Seychelles Warbler can Seychelles Scops Owl this evening, if necessary.
usually be found with ease. In the afternoon we'll Night near Victoria.
visit the adjacent Island of La Digue where the
striking Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher is found.
Night on Praslin Island. 11 Nov: Mahé
We have a final morning in the highlands of Mahé
10 Nov: Praslin to La Digue to Aride to Mahé to look for any species we may be missing. The tour
ends at midday, after lunch.
Our final day in the Seychelles see us take a morning
trip to Aride Island, with spectacular numbers
© Colin Rogers
Seychelles Kestrel
7 Nov: Mauritius to Seychelles National Park. The rarest of the landbirds is the
highly threatened Seychelles White-eye, and we
Today we fly from Mauritius to Victoria on Mahé hope to find a few pairs of this scarce species. Other
island in the Seychelles. Depending on our time birds we will watch out for in the surrounding
of arrival we will ascend into the central highlands forest include Seychelles Sunbird, Seychelles Bulbul,
for some diurnal birding, and after dark search for Seychelles Blue Pigeon and Seychelles Swiftlet.
Seychelles Scops Owl. Night near Victoria. White-tailed Tropicbird is usually conspicuous too.
Seychelles Kestrel is one of the more widespread
8 Nov: Mahé Island endemics and we may need to visit several sites to
find this scarce species. Some time will also be spent
We have a full day to explore the island of Mahé,
wader watching, where we hope to see Crab Plover,
the largest of the granitic Seychelles. The focus of
and we may have time to look for Yellow Bittern.
our day will the be forests of Morne Seychellois Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher
Night near Victoria
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BOOKLET AND CHECKLIST
© Colin Rogers
© Colin Rogers
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa Tour Leaflet
Birding Africa provides:
1. Tour Details leaflet with detailed itinerary (this document).
2. Tour Information Pack, emailed to you.
3. Tour Booklet with checklists, provided in hard copy at the start of the tour.
QUESTIONS?
Email Michael at michael@birdingafrica.com and copy callan@birdingafrica.com.
HOW TO BOOK
1. Complete our easy online booking form.
2. Secure your booking deposit by credit card on our 3D secure online payment
site ($150)
3. Settle the balance by bank transfer 150 days before the tour. We will email
you a reminder and the banking details.
Seychelles Blue Pigeon Seychelles Fody
© Michael Mills
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR
• services of Birding Africa tour leader and local guides
• entry fees and activities as per itinerary
• ground transport on all islands
• accommodation and all meals starting with dinner on the first night and
ending with lunch on the last day
• internal flights and airport transfers
• bottled water in the vehicle
• one soft drink per meal
Mayotte Scops Owl
• general tips
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