Birdwatching tours of Ghana

11 Day Rainforest Tour

Tour Leaders: - David Daramani, Jens Ole Byskov, Kalu Afasi and Mark Williams

Summary:-

With over 750 different species of birds, Ghana is an ideal birdwatching destination.  Ashanti African Tours use highly experienced tour leaders and guides with expert knowledge of Ghana’s birds and their habitats.  Our tour leaders have been working in and around Ghana’s national parks for over 30 years studying and recording Ghana’s birds.  This local knowledge enhances our guest’s chances of a productive and enjoyable birdwatching holiday.  Ghana covers a variety of habitats from coastal wetland lagoons and saltpans on the Gold Coast, moving inland we find primary Guinea tropical rainforest where the world famous Kakum canopy walkway is found.  We have exclusive patronage of the walkway for a number of mornings during our tour.  The highlight of our tour is undoubtedly the visit to a yellow headed picathartes nesting site, getting a glimpse of this remarkable bird is an amazing feeling never forgotten.  As we are dedicating the majority of our time to rainforest birding we are enhancing our chances of finding the more sought after secretive species, which all leads to an extremely impressive quality bird tally, a tally we know will not disappoint!

Trip Reports

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR 16 DAY TRIP REPORT

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR 11 DAY TRIP REPORT

Outline Itinerary

 

11 days/10 nights

 

Day 1: Arrival

You are welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and acclimatise yourself to Africa.  Your expert guides will brief you on all aspects of your tour over complementary drinks.

 

Day 2: Birdwatching

Early start as we visit Sukumona lagoon before heading west towards Kakum National Park.  We will stop to birdwatch at Parbros saltpans, mudflats, Winniba plains and another lagoon.

 

Day 3-4: Birdwatching

Early starts as we head for exclusive patronage of the world famous canopy walkway at Kakum National park.  During the next 2 early mornings we will be spending the most critical bird viewing hours 40 meters above the forest floor on the canopy walkway, which platforms are large enough to support Telescopes.  In the afternoons we visit Antikwaa on the north western section of the park.

 

Day 5: Birdwatching

An early start, we will be concentrating our attention on the many trails within Kakum National park.  In the afternoon we visit a remote Yellow Headed Picathartes nesting site for what should be the highlight of the trip.

 

Day 6-7: Birdwatching

Early starts over the next 2 mornings visiting Aboabo on the eastern section of Kakum National Park, in the afternoon returning to Aboabo which is one of the most productive areas of Kakum.  On the afternoon of day 7 we transfer to Kumasi and birdwatch the Owabi reservoir.

 

Day 8: Birdwatching

Early morning visit to Bobiri forest reserve, setting off for the Atewa range in the afternoon.

 

Day 9: Birdwatching

Early start as we visit the southern most section of Atewa, in the afternoon and early evening we concentrate on the northern section of Atewa.

 

Day 10: Birdwatching

This morning we use our 4x4 and drive to the highest point of the range where we are likely to find different species.  In the afternoon we travel to Accra and revisit the Sukumona lagoon.

 

Day 11: Birdwatching

A morning visit to Shai Hills Reserve the habitat is savannah woodland here so we aim to see different species.  In the afternoon we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

Group Leaders/Guides

David Daramani

Ghana’s leading ornithologist and recognised number 1 birder.  David has many years experience in leading birdwatching tours within Ghana,   his knowledge of Ghana’s forest and Savannah species as well as his amazing ability to identify birds from song and call are unrivalled.  David is also head of birding studies for the Ghana Wildlife Society and was employed by the Ghana Wildlife Department for 28 years based at Mole National Park.  David holds a bird guiding certificate, which he attained in South Africa through Birdlife International and has also worked closely with the RSPB in the UK.  With our professionalism and attention to detail, coupled with David's expert knowledge of West African birds and where to find them, makes this a perfect combination for a successful, enjoyable and unforgettable birdwatching tour.

Jens Ole Byskov

Jens has over 40 year’s birdwatching experience.  He has been a member of the Danish Ornithological Society for 23 years and is on the board of Southern Danish Ornithological Society, where he was president for 8 years.  Back in the 70s and 80s, Jens used to plan and lead bird tours around Denmark and Scandinavia with Peter Alden and Christopher Leahy for a company called Big Birdtours.  Jens first went birdwatching in Ghana back in 1991.  It was during this trip that he was approached by the Ghana Wildlife Department to compile a comprehensive bird list of Kakum National Park.  Jens has been travelling extensively around Ghana for the past 15 years, since becoming a Pioneer of Kakum National Park.  He has a great knowledge of Ghana's birds and where to find them, which is why we have contracted him to lead our tours on a part time basis.  Jens will deliver an enjoyable and highly productive tour.

Kalu Afasi

Is a local birdwatching expert with experience in leading group tours around Ghana.  He has an excellent eye for spotting and his ability to identify birds by call is highly impressive.  Kalu has a vast knowledge of West African birds and their habitats, his enthusiasm is infectious and is a major asset during our tours.

Mark Williams

Is Ashanti African Tours Director and co-founder, he is a British citizen based in Ghana and has a vast knowledge of all the country has to offer.  He has a passion for birding and will accompany the tour for the duration.