Visiting
Birding tours
Birdquest organise tours to Zimbabwe.
Guides
Peter Ginn Birding Safaris can organise tours to Zimbabwe. The present political situation makes trips difficult in that fuel cannot be guaranteed at all times. There are a number of excellent lodges where birds and birding are considered very important - The Hide at Hwange and Imbabala above the falls immediately spring to mind.
As far as we know there are no specialist bird guides operating in Zimbabwe at present. There are however a number of excellent local bird guides including Peter Madziwana at Seldomseen in the Bvumba and Basi Abbasi in the Honde Valley. There are also several general guides who are really good on birds as well - check with BirdLife Zimbabwe for the latest position.
These are the contact details of a small B&B, Ndundu Lodge, located in the Vumba, Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and some 35 km from the Mozambique border. e-mail ndundu@zol.co.zw, tel: 00263-(0)20-63777, Cel: 00263-(0)11-631726 or www.ndundu.com and www.vumba-nature.com.
Trip reports
The following trip reports are available for sale from the African Bird Club online shop.
Zimbabwe (including parts of Botswana and South Africa) 18th February to 5th March 2000 by Gruff Dodd. A detailed account of the trip and systematic list covering 382 species.
Birdwatch Zimbabwe 1991 by Derek Solomon and Jacko Williams, comprehensive guide with detailed descriptions of all main areas with maps, site guides, accommodation directions, checklist and many line drawings.
Logistics
Zimbabwe can be reached by international flights from Europe. There are also frequent flights from Johannesburg to Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Air Zimbabwe connects Harare and Bulawayo with Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. Popular land borders include the Victoria Falls / Kazungala crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana from where you can continue through Chobe National Park to Namibia, the Victoria Falls / Livingstone crossing to Zambia, and the road and rail links to South Africa via Beitbridge.
While it is easy enough to get to Zimbabwe, the problem of fuel supply makes travel difficult. Birding groups from South Africa have continued to visit, bringing their fuel with them. Flying into Victoria Falls for a visit to Hwange and the upper Zambezi Valley is still feasible. Flying to Harare for Marondera and Bvumba should also be possible and Bulawayo for the Matobos is easy.
There are safari firms operating who can help - check with Zimbabwe Association of Tour and Safari Operators (ZATSO).
Safety
Most safety and health issues are no different from those in many African countries. Guidebooks, travel companies and websites provide much of the advice one needs, but key points warrant repetition here: (1) be aware of the risk of malaria and seek current advice, sleep in a sealed tent or under a net and take prophylaxis as recommended; (2) always ensure you have sufficient water and some method of purification (even if this comprises a pot and a campfire for boiling); (3) do not underestimate the danger of being in the sun for too long, ensure you use sun-block, drink plenty of water and wear a hat; (4) be aware of the risk of AIDS; (5) ensure that you take a reasonably-equipped first-aid pack with you including supplies of hypodermic and suturing needles. See the following 2 websites or your own local embassy website for the latest safety and travel information: US Travel and UK FCO.
It is worth checking the latest situation with both BirdLife Zimbabwe and ZATSO before visiting — see Contact section for details.
Last page update 3rd March 2008
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