Africa birdwatching guides and tours
recommended by Birdingpal
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Madagascar
Morocco
Rwanda Burundi
Sierra Leone
Somaliland
Uganda
Cameroon
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Benjamin Jayin Jomi, your local Birdingpal guide
Benjamin was trained as a nature interpreter at the Limbe Botanic Garden year 2000, as a professional guide on Mount Cameroon by the Mount Cameroon Ecoturism Organization year 2000 and 2003. University of Buea, as a professional birding guide at the Mount Cameroon region and beyond sponsored by the World Tourism Organization, Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society and other organizations year 2006 and recognized by the Ministry of Tourism as a Regional guide. Presently, Benji organizes birding tours for visiting birders and assist researchers in the field, and will plan and execute complete tours to all the birding sites in Cameroon including the National Parks. Benji speaks English and French. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Benjamin.
Testimonials.
I traveled through Cameroon with my friends, a group of five from Hungary, in November 2005. After a visit to the Eastern region we returned to Yaound' and headed to the West: Douala and on to Limbe. We met Benji (Benjamin Jayin Jomi) at the reception of the Limbe Botanic Garden. We wanted to visit Mt Etinde, Mt Cameroon, the Korup forest and Mt Kupe and Benji gave us a rough calculation of all expenses (transport, accommodation, porters, entrance fees) as one package. The prices were reasonable so we agreed and spent the next two weeks together with Benji in a very rich programme.
The next morning we started off for Mt Etinde and climbed it in one day. Then we spent four days on Mt Cameroon, taking the "standard" route from Buea to the summit and descend to Bokwango. After some rest at Limbe we went to the Korup and spend three days there, then after a one-night stop in Kumba (Barombi-Mbo crater lake) we finally made a trip to Mt Kupe (two nights) and back to Limbe. We saw countless species of birds (including Turacos), flowers, animals like monkeys, chameleon etc.
Benji had arranged for everything we needed for the trip: a Toyota van so that each of us had a seat, accommodation in hotels and lodges, tents for Mt Cameroon, food, porters, guides, everything. Benji has good local knowledge for Mt Etinde and Mt Cameroon. He knows many birds and plants. He was supportive for whatever we came up with. For example, he helped us save a young crocodile we bought on the road from a poacher - the riverside villagers did not like the idea but Benji helped us smuggling the crocodile back into the river.
Benji has a very good personality: calm, reliable, decisive, friendly and caring but not pushy, all of these with a dignity. I recommend contacting Benji to everyone who plans to visit Cameroon South-West.
Tamas Nemes, Hungary tamas_nemes(AT)hotmail.com
Benji Jomi guided me for a 23 day birdwatching trip to Cameroon in Nov/Dec 2008. Benji coordinated and managed the entire trip for me, and I can recommend him as a reliable and competent guide, which one surely need to travel a country as diverse as Cameroon.
Knud Rasmussen, Toronto, Canada
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Cameroon
Cape Verde
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Dr. Herbert Bödendorfer, your local Birdingpal guide
Since 2003 we, Dr. Herbert Bödendorfer, an Austrian geographer and photographer and my wife Eva, have set up an “Intercultural Nature Guide Training” to help develop sustainable eco-tourism on Santiago Island. Nature photography was an important medium in this work because we were able to show to the locals the beauty and value of their own nature. Santiago being the most diverse of all the islands it is the ideal place to combine a pleasant holiday with birding. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Herbert.
Testimonials.
Ich war vom 27.2 bis 3.3. im Ecotec-Projekthaus und wurde in dieser Zeit von Herbert und Eva hervorragend betreut und konnte mich von dem Projekt voll überzeugen lassen. Celeste sorgte im Haus mit ihrem gutem Essen für das leibliche Wohl. Während dem Tag wurde ich auf meinen Beobachtungstouren hervorragend durch Fredy und Andriu betreut. Sie waren sehr freundlich, hilfsbereit und gingen auch sofort auf Wünsche ein, kannten sich gut mit den örtlichen Gegebenheiten aus. Sie wussten auch wo man am besten beobachten geht und kannten auch die einheimische Flora und Fauna. Während der gesamten Zeit fühlte ich mich sehr wohl und sehr gut aufgehoben. Ich freue mich bereits jetzt auf meinen nächsten Besuch. Peter Zeller zellerpe(AT)bluewin.ch
I was there from 27.2. to 3.3. and Herbert and Eva cared for me in the best possible way. I was fully convinced by this project. Celeste (the cook) supplied us with excellent food. Fredy and Andriu, the two guides, took care of me on the tours. They were friendly, always ready to help, answered to my wishes and knew the local conditions. They knew where to go birding and also knew the local fauna and flora. I enjoyed my stay very much and am looking forward to my next visit! Peter Zeller zellerpe(AT)bluewin.ch
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Cape Verde
Djibouti
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Houssein Rayaleh, your local Birdingpal guide
I am Houssein Rayaleh, a self-taught ornithologist and freelance bird guide in Djibouti. A Djiboutian by birth and citizenship, I have had a long term interest in the conservation of biological diversity, which has been carried through into Djibouti Nature/BirdLife International Affiliate in Djibouti. Djibouti Nature is a community based organization working on nature conservation issues that I helped found eleven years ago with friends. In recognition of my long-term interest in the conservation of nature, I have been awarded by Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund as one of the winners of the 2009 Disney Conservation Hero Award in Africa after I was appointed as the BirdLife Guardian for the Critically Endangered Djibouti Francolin, see http://www.birdlife.org/extinction/guardians.html. In contact with several Tour operators in worldwide, most of my customers are from Europe, America and Asia. I have been working in bird studying in for almost twenty years now. For an eight-day trip, (including two days for arriving and departure), I offer a mix of community based rough accommodation facilities and hotel stays. I bring a tour of a four birders at a time including guide-driver. I offer a bird walk in the wild into an unspoilt nature within a surreal landscape peopled by nomads with their ancient and traditional lifestyle. |
For birding in Djibouti please send a message to Houssein.
Ethiopia
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Meseret Mekuria, your local Birdingpal guide Meseret formerly worked for the national park service in Ethiopia studying birds and mammals (habitats, observation, identification and census). He trained at the College Of African Wildlife Management, Tanzania and has written papers on diversity and abundance of bird species in different habitats in Tanzanian National parks. Today, he is one of the country's top guides with a passion for Ethiopia's endemic birds and mammals in this relatively unknown country for birdwatchers. From his experiences as a former wildlife manager he is very familiar with all the best places for birds and wildlife and has lived in many of them. He is working with international birdwatching companies and professionals from Europe, Australia, Canada and United States. Meseret speaks English and several local tribal languages and is personally known to many village people throughout Ethiopia. This is important for successful guiding not only to find birds but also for safety, when traveling in the remote tribal areas. He has a keen interest in sport, particularly soccer. Meseret has his "Tour Operation Business License and Principal Registration and Certificate' from The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Trade and Industry. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Meseret.
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Yilma Dellelegn Abebe, your local Birdingpal guide |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Yilma.
Testimonial.
We would recommend Meseret Mekuria as your preferred guide in Ethiopia. His professionalism is outstanding. Beyond being simply reliable and punctual Meseret truly listens to the wants and needs of his clients and remains flexible and responsive in ensuring that their experience is a valuable one. His broad network across Ethiopia coupled with his sound knowledge of local culture and wildlife is fantastic. He is also a very personable individual who makes you feel very welcome in this beautiful country. It is obvious that he is well regarded locally in his field and that he has a particular talent when it comes to ornithology. I feel well qualified to make such statements given that I have travelled with Meseret extensively on 2 occasions - most recently in 2007 with my wife Sarah - and I have also recommended him to my 70 year old parents whom Meseret led a memorable cultural trip for in 2006.
Shaun Bacon, Australia. sbacon(AT)wildframes.com
During my March 07 Ethiopia trip, Meseret not only managed to show us 419 species of birds (incl. 23 endemics), but I also enjoyed his company very much, and he became a good friend. From his experiences as a former wildlife manager, Meseret is very familiar with all the best places for birds and wildlife and has lived in many of them. He speaks several tribal languages and is personally known to many village people throughout Ethiopia. This is important for successful guiding not only for finding birds but also for safety, when travelling the tribal areas.
Doing my stay in Addis Abba I also had the pleasure of meeting Yilma, who impressed me with his knowledge of Ethiopia's wildlife.
Knud Rasmussen, Toronto, Canada - krkr(AT)sympatico.ca
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Ethiopia
Ghana
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Kalu Afasi, your local Birdingpal guide
Kalu Afasi is a highly experienced tour guide and has led tours for many companies in Ghana. His love of birds and his identification skills of the birds of West African are exceptional, as is his knowledge of where to find them. Kalu was taught the science and art of birdwatching by a Danish birdwatcher by name Jens Byskov. After receiving his first lesson from Jens, Kalu attached himself to David Daramani, who himself has birded in Ghana for close to 40 years. His youth fulness and sense of humor makes him the best. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Kalu.
Testimonials.
Myself and a colleague, Ian Searle contacted Kalu via Birdingpals last year to organise a tour of Ghana. We wanted a reliable, knowledgable guide who could organise our trip, arrange transport and suggest places to stay. We also wanted to see as many species as possible including the Yellow-headed Picathartes. Kalu was a surperb guide as he was extremely knowledgable about the birds of Ghana including their calls and the best sites. We saw an amazing 253 Species in only one week including some of the most difficult species. Kalu knew many of the local reserve officials and was able to gain access for us outside normal visiting hours so we could make an early start some days. He also arranged excellent accommodation and engaged an excellent driver for our trip. In summary we were extremely happy with Kalu's service, and our journey was real fun. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to visiting Birders.
Rob Rackliffe, robertr(AT)gryconsulting.org February 2008
I just wanted to feedback to you on a recent trip to Ghana. Marlin Jones and I had a terrific time with Kalu, who was an excellent guide. Everything went smoothly, with no glitches. I saw 80 life birds and Marlin saw 160. Thank you for setting up this terrific guide service. Cheers, Charles H. Trost, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus of Ornithology, Idaho State University, Pocatello Idaho 83204
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Ghana
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David Daramani, your local Birdingpal guide
David is regarded as the father of birdwatching in Ghana,he has led uncountable bird watching trips.He knows the birds of Ghana and can easily identify them by their songs.David knows all the important bird watching areas in Ghana and in fact he helped in the development of some of them.Birdwatching with David in Ghana is the best things that can happen to any birdwatcher who visits Ghana as he is guaranteed a very memorable trip. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to David.
Kenya
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Moses Kandie, your local Birdingpal guide
Born in 1979 in Lake Baringo a popular birding destination, I grew up watching tourists comb the bushes in my neighborhood in search of birds, whose names I did not know by then. In my primary school days, I started moving closer to the birders as I could say one or two things in English. It was through this interaction, that I came to understand, how important birds were to the curious visitors and more so nocturnals seemed challenging to them and warranted local assistance, and that is why I became a birdwatching guide. I started getting little income from my search for rare birds, field guides and binoculars soon followed. While in secondary school my knowledge on birds soared, as I had access to books and with association of a British nestling photographer, who exposed me closely to the birds for nearly a decade. I proceeded to university for a degree in Education Technology and did graduate in the year 2005. Lack of employment kept me guiding at Lake Baringo to date. From links with friends abroad I have organize birding trips for as long as 22 days in all of the most popular birding destinations and my trips have turned out to be successful. My objective is to offer spectacular birding trip, that does include the game, culture and history at a pocket friendly rate. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Moses.
Testimonials.
Moses Kandie has an excellent knowledge of birds and habitats of where to find a wide variety of birds in Kenya. Moses birds by his ears as well as by sight! His repetoire of bird sounds is amazing and accurate ... we found so many great birds because Moses heard them first among the many other bird sounds that one hears in the habitats of Kenya.
Moses is very patient, thorough and determined to find and identity birds observed. He does not mind checking the bird books, asking for field marks identified, etc., before calling the name of a particular bird. He is very open to debate and very easy to communicate with throughout the long days of birding. We started early in the am, took breaks at mid day or while travelling to other sites. And even during those times we stopped many times to confirm sightings along the road, etc. Moses loves sharing his birding expertise and his beautiful country ... a really great guy!
Moses went to some extreme measures to find such rarities in very confined habitats such as the Sharpe's Longclaw, a globally threatened bird ... Senrgal Thick-knee, Kori Bustard, Malechite Kingfisher, and, owls such as African Scops, White-faced Scops, Verreaux's and Spotted Eagle Owls, and Slender-tailed Nightjar ... amazing craker birds!
Some habitat sites we visited included Lake's Nakuru, Naivaisha and Boringo ... Moses's home area which he knew very well, Naiberi River Camp (7742 feet/2360meters) for some higher elevation birds such as Bush Pipit, Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird, Long-crested Eagle, etc. We covered reedbeds, shorelines, escarpments, grasslands, streams, forests, islands, lakes, etc. In total we recorded 277 birds during the 6 days birding in Kenya.
Thanks for a great birding experience, Moses!
Greatly appreciated Birdingpal Gordon Saunders, Qatar. saunderstern(AT)gmail.com
I visited Lake Baringo last year, and Moses came out for 3 days with me as a guide. He showed an excellent knowledge of local species, calls as well as location of some of the specialties of the area and he is a very nice person to boot.
Our company is planning to run trips to Africa and for Baringo, we plan to use Mr Kandie - which I suppose sums up how much I enjoyed my time with him as my guide.
Any questions, please feel free to email me.
Vandit Kalia, Photo Safari India. vkalia(AT)photosafariindia.com
Moses is a sympatic and responsible birding guide that I first met in his home village Kampi ya Samaki by Lake Baringo in 2004. He's especially familiar with the birds of the Rift Valley but has also travelled over much of the rest of Kenya. We've made one professional tour together and there are more to come. I can thus recommend Moses as your birding guide!
Samuel Hansson, Heliangelus Nature Tours, Sweden. heliangelus(AT)telia.com
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Kenya
Madagascar
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Fano Andrianirina, your local Birdingpal guide
38 years old naturalist guide for more than 10 years. Graduated from the University of Tana in Management and Economics. This skill allows me to be a good organization in all aspects of my tours. I have travel extensively throughout my country and have seen all the birds of Madagascar but I also have a great interest in amphibians, reptiles as well as mammals. Fascinated by the nature and knowledgeable about the Malagasy culture. I speak good English, French and German. Having guided for a number of well known US and UK birding companies, I am familiar with visiting birders expectations and "Having fun with Fanu is my motto". |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Fano.
Testimonials.
In October 2008 I visited Madagascar for the first time and I was very fortunate to be able to hire Fano as my guide. Before my arrival, we corresponded through e-mails, and he even telephoned me in Japan two or three times to coordinate things! He is a very friendly and outgoing person, and his knowledge of the 'Red Island's' wildlife ' the endemic birds and the lemurs -- is very extensive. While my companion Ponny, from Thailand, and I flew from Tana to Majunga in an hour, poor Fano came all the way there -- and all the way back -- by taxi-brousse to make sure that we were taken care of at Ampijoroa. Without his help, I would have missed several key species, so I would definitely recommend him to any visiting birdwatcher or naturalist. An ways-smiling guide in the "Land of Smiles.
Chris Cook (Tokyo, Japan)
A friend and I spent a week with 'Fano' as our guide traveling all around central and southern Madagascar looking for birds, wildlife and culture. I have traveled independently in 120 countries and Fano turned out to be one of the very best guides/companions ever! He was fluent in Malagasi, German, French and his English was excellent! He seemed to know everyone wherever we went, and was extremely knowledgeable about the customs and wildlife - with an excellent eye for spotting birds and small reptiles that we missed. Moreover, and perhaps the most memorable part of the experience, was Fano's personality - he was always helpful, considerate, sensitive to our different personalities and, most importantly, always FUN! He understood the subtlties of jokes and humor and felt like a long-lasting friend after our one week. I can only give Fano the highest recommendation possible - as a human being, as a guide and as an expert on the flora and fauna of Madagascar.
I would, of course, be happy to respond to anyone's further questions re my experience with Fano in Madagascar.
Al Lunemann, Coupeville, WA, USA, techno-man(AT)coupeville.net
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Madagascar
Morocco
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Mohamed Bargache, your local Birdingpal guide
I am an experienced birdwatching guide in the National Parc of Souss Massa, since 2008. I was trained at the administation of the parc, by th member of SEO/Birdlife International, Mr Imad Cherkaoui and I learned lots of other birdwatching skills with other birders. I know most of the bird hotspots and I speak English and French. |
For more information please send a message to Mohamed.
Testimonials.
On the 23rd of September of 2008, almost 3 years ago, we had the pleasure of being escorted into the Souss Massa National Park by our personal guide Mohamed Bargache. Not only was we impressed by his English skills, but also his birdwatching skills. Identifying all the different species in the Park and explaining the main characteristics and distinctions between them. We can only recommend visiting the Souss Massa National Park and hire the professional services of Mr. bargache, to truly discover the secrets of its natural beauty.
All the best
Christian Kaufmann,Switzerland
Vous avez bien voulu le mercredi 16 Avril 2008, nous accompagner et moi pour une visite de la réserve de Souss Massa. Nous tenions personnellement a vous exprimer notre gratitude pour la qualité de vos explications tant au niveau ornithologique qu'environomental,grace a votre experience et connaissance du terrain nous avons pu observer plusieurs espèces d'oiseaux; qui sans vous nous seraient passés inaperçus. Nous tenons aussi à souligner votre amabilité et gentillesse tout au long du parcours et votre empressement à répondre à nos questions sur la vie de votre village, l'environement ecologique. Nous sommes coutimiers de visites du parc, en France mais aussi en Espagne, l'Italie, nous pouvons vous certifier que vous vallez bien beaucoup de guides professionels. Nous ne manquerons pas de donner vos coordonneés à nos amies et connaissances venant à votre région et désirant visiter la réserve. Bonne chance et amicales salutations et merci.
Serge et Rejane Vayr, France
I am a retired biology teacher from a university in Texas, U.S.A. I traveled to Agadir for three days in May, 2011, during which time I was guided by Mohamed Bargache for birds and general sightseeing. Mohamed is an excellent bird guide, very knowledgeable with recognizing birds and where to find almost all species, particularly those most desired by foreign birdwatchers. He is a friendly person and easy to travel with. I am so happy to recommend him as a guide. Charles Dean Fisher, USA
Rwanda Burundi
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Akim Gakwaya, your local Birdingpal guide
7 years of experience so far and founder of the BIRDING CLUB of Rwanda that started few years ago. |
For more information please send a message to Akim.
Testimonials.
Hopefully, you have been busy with clients. Rwanda has been getting lots of good press coverage in the U.S. Friends of mine are going to Rwanda next year and I recommended your company to them. How are you? Your family? When do you go on holiday? Have you had nice clients? I look at these pictures and wish to thank you again for such a special time in your country. I send you all my very best wishes. Kristine Kershul kris(AT)bbks.com
Sierra Leone
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Momoh B Sesay (Modu), your local Birdingpal guide
Training in Bio-divertsity survey in bird identification techinques Charles Darwin intiative in collaboration with CSSL and Gola Forest.1st to 15th Dec.2006. Training workshop on wetland management plaining through the eco. regional (rice and mangroves BBI water birds survey project). Organise by Wetland International in collaboration with CSSL 10th 20th Oct.2006. Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs/National Tourist Board Tour guide training program. AT Milton magai Techonology of Education Colleage [MMTEC] 2009. Member of the National Association of certified tour guide. Working Experience: Facts Finding Tour Ltd. Expert knowledge in Birdwatching, Eco-Tourism, Excursion round trip tours, Village bush safari and cultural tourism. 2004 to 2011. I Would like to share with you the Upper Endemics of SierraLeone: White-Necked Picerthertess, Black-Headed Rufours Warbler, Gola Malimba, Nimba Flycatcher, Sierra Leone Prenia, Western African Endemics Turatis Boubou, Togo Paradise Whydah, Emerald Sterling and many more. Member of th Conservation of Sierra Leone. Member of the African Bird Club 2009 to 2011. Conducted tours with the following: Birdquest, Rockjumper, Sicklebill Saferi, Sunbird and many more. Birded with Peter Ryan, Sinclair, Nik Borrow and others. |
For more information please send a message to Modu.
Somaliland
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Abdi A. Jama, your local Birdingpal guide
I am Abdi A. Jama, a birding guide registered in Somaliland. A native of Hargeisa, Somaliland, I have been back home permanently for three years now after having roamed the globe for nearly thirty years. I am an American citizen. Our clients originate in Europe (mainly UK and Germany) but also America. We have been in operation in for almost two years now. For a sixteen-day trip, we offer a mix of bush camping and hotel stays. We take in up to eight clients at a time including guide. We provide superb overall experience in a safe environment. |
For birding in Somaliland please send a message to Abdi.
Uganda
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Deogratius Muhumuza, your local Birdingpal guide
Deo, a graduate of Tourism from Makerere University Kampala, was born in western Uganda in an area adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bunyaruguru crater zone; popularly known as the “Pearl of Uganda”. Deo is a keen ornithologist, and a very active member of Nature Uganda – East African Natural History Society (a birdlife international partner in Uganda). He works as a part-time ornithological researcher with Nature Uganda in important bird areas monitoring, bi-annual waterfowl counts, species conservation surveys, common birds monitoring etc. Deo has done consultancies in several biodiversity assessment surveys across Uganda both ornithological and socioeconomic with many conservation organisations including Wildlife Conservation Society. His working with one of the reputable local tour firm as a tours manager/part-time guide further enhanced his knowledge in tour operations business. He underwent training under Uganda Safari Guides Association and was the co-author of the Uganda cultural guides training manual. Deo has travelled the entire country doing research and leading tours, and has a wide knowledge about wildlife and Uganda people’s cultures. |
Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Deo.
Check out my year round birdwatching tours in Uganda
Last update 04/05/2012