Accommodation: Rio Curinge Lodge or similar
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Cuanza River Mouth and Floodplain

Welcome to Angola! Upon arrival in Luanda, we set off for the Cuanza River Mouth and Floodplain, located about 40 km south of the capital. This region is home to an exciting variety of birdlife and time permitting, we’ll begin our search for key species such as White-fronted Wattle-eye and Mangrove Sunbird. Our first night will be spent in comfortable accommodations near the river, offering a relaxing start to our adventure.

Accommodation: Hotel Salala or Grand Hotel do Uige
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Northern scarp forests at Quitexe

Today, we embark on a scenic journey north towards the Quitexe scarp forests, making strategic birding stops along the way. This drive presents the opportunity to spot several target species, including Oustalet’s Sunbird, Meyer’s Parrot, Black Coucal and Salvadori’s Eremomela. We’ll also keep an eye out for Banded Martin, Moustached Grass Warbler, Fan-tailed Grassbird and Blue-throated Roller. We arrive in Uige by late afternoon, settling in for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Salala or Grand Hotel do Uige
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Guinea Forest

A full day is dedicated to birding the Guineo-Congolian Rainforest, a hotspot for rare and endemic species. Our main target is the striking Braun’s Bush-Shrike, a sought-after Angola endemic. Other potential sightings include Black Bee-eater, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Broad-billed Roller, Bristle-nosed Barbet and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo. The vibrant Splendid Glossy Starling, Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, Red-headed Bluebill and Black-and-white Mannikin add color to the dense foliage.

Accommodation: Lwenze Hotel, Calandula
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Miombo woodland and Kalandula Falls, Africa’s second largest falls.

We begin the day with another birding session in the Guineo-Congolian Rainforest, hoping to locate rare species such as the White-crested Tiger Heron, Hartlaub’s Duck and Congo Serpent Eagle. After mid-morning, we leave the forest behind and travel through extensive Miombo woodlands, stopping en route for birding. One of the highlights of the day is our visit to Kalandula Falls, one of Africa’s most breathtaking waterfalls. We arrive at our lodge in time to explore the surrounding woodlands before nightfall.

Accommodation: Lwenze Hotel, Kalandula
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Riverine Gallery Forest & Miombo Woodlands

Our focus today is the highly localized White-headed Robin-Chat, a spectacular bird rediscovered only a few years ago. We also search for other specials, including White- spotted Flufftail, Ross’s Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-throated Wattle-eye and Brown-headed Apalis. Moving into the Miombo woodlands, we target Anchieta’s Barbet, Anchieta’s Sunbird and Sharp-tailed Starling.

Accommodation: Hotel Terminus, Ndalatando
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Pedras Negras
Optional activities: N.A.

Before departing Kalandula, we make a final stop for birding and then continue our journey to Pedras Negras, an impressive rock formation with excellent birding opportunities. Along the way, we may spot Red-throated Cliff Swallows, African Marsh Harrier and Blue-breasted Bee-eater. We then reach N’dalatando, where we will be based for two nights.

Accommodation: Hotel Terminus, Ndalatando
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at central scarp forests at N’dalantando

This morning, we head into the beautiful central scarp forests near N’dalantando, home to an exciting mix of forest birdlife. As we explore, listen for the screeching calls of Red-fronted Parrots overhead. The forest promises some fantastic sightings, including Piping and African Pied Hornbills, Blue Malkoha, Naked-faced Barbet, and a variety of woodpeckers—Green-backed, Brown-eared, and Yellow-crested. We’ll also search for Bocage’s Bushshrike, Black-winged Oriole, Honeyguide Greenbul, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, and Rufous-crowned Eremomela. Other possibilities include African Shrike-flycatcher, Sooty Flycatcher, Chestnut-winged Starling, vibrant sunbirds like Green-throated and Superb, and the striking Red-headed Malimbe.

Accommodation: Bons Amigos
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at the forest south of N’dalatando

We begin the day with early birding in the forests south of N’dalatando, where there’s a chance to encounter the elusive Tit-Hylia and nesting colonies of Naked-faced and Bristle-nosed Barbets in dead trees. Down by the river, we may be lucky enough to spot the rare White-bibbed Blue Swallow—a true highlight for any Angola list. Later, we enjoy a scenic drive to Catete, where a quaint hotel puts us close to some fantastic birding. In the afternoon, we’ll explore nearby farmlands along the Cuanza River, with hopes of finding Grey-striped Francolin, Gabela Helmet-Shrike, Monteiro’s Bushshrike and White-fronted Wattle-eye. With a bit of luck, this could be a truly rewarding stop.

Accommodation: Carpe Diem Resort, Caboledo
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Muxima and Kissama National Park

Today, we explore Kissama National Park, targeting endemic and localized species such as White-fronted Wattle-eye, Gabela Helmetshrike, and Grey-striped Francolin. Other highlights may include Narina Trogon, Forest Scrub Robin and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye. By evening, we reach our beachside lodge.

Accommodation: Fazenda Rio Uiri, near Kumbira Forest
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Gabela and Kumbira Forest

After an early breakfast, we set off towards Gabela and the renowned Kumbira Forest,one of the most significant birding locations on this tour. This richly biodiverse forest is home to Angola’s most sought-after avian endemics, making it a top priority for our expedition. We will be based here for three nights, ensuring ample time to explore and uncover its hidden treasures. En route, we’ll take advantage of productive birding patches, scanning for regional specialties before reaching our charming guest farm near the forest. As night falls, the floodlights around our lodge may attract African Wood-Owl And Freckled Nightjar, offering excellent opportunities for nocturnal birding.

Accommodation: Fazenda Rio Uiri, near Kumbira Forest
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Kumbira Forest

Kumbira Forest, located in the southern scarp, is no longer pristine due to past logging, but remains rich in birdlife. Gabela Bush-Shrike and Gabela Akalat are key targets, though tricky to spot. Hartert’s Camaroptera is common, while Pullitszer’s Longbill is rare but possible if calling. Other sought-after species include Yellow-throated Nicator, Pale-Olive Greenbul, Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Red-headed Bluebill, and both Carmelite and Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbirds. Unique barbets and a wide range of woodpeckers, bushshrikes, flycatchers and warblers make this forest a birding hotspot.

Accommodation: Lupupa Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding en-route & explore Mount Moco

Today is primarily a travel day as we make our way westward toward either WakuKungo or Huambo, where we will be based for our exploration of Mount Moco. The journey offers excellent birding opportunities and we will make several strategic stops along the way, traversing spectacular Miombo woodlands and river crossings. These habitats provide a chance to spot additional target species before reaching our lodge.

Accommodation: Lupupa Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Explore Mount Moco

We start early for Mount Moco, Angola’s highest peak and top birding spot. Our main goal is the elusive Swierstra’s Francolin, found in Afromontane forest, Miombo scruband grasslands. Other key species include Finsch’s Francolin, Angola Lark, Black-collared Bulbul, Pale-billed Firefinch and Red-faced Cisticola. Raptors like Fernando Po Swift, African Goshawk, Augur Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon may appear overhead. We’ll also look for Coppery-tailed Coucal, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Rock-loving Cisticola and Dusky Twinspot. Miombo woodlands may yield Bocage’s Sunbird and Spotted Creeper, while open areas could offer Bronzy Sunbird, Red-headed Weaver, and Red-collared Widowbird. We return to the lodge by late afternoon.

Accommodation: Restinga Hotel or similar, Lobito
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Explore Namibian Skeleton Coast

Travel day where we will head down to the coast, gradually descending into what is essentially an extension to the Namibian Skeleton Coast, with a totally different suite of birds. We should see the near-endemic Red-backed Mousebirds along the way as well as Bateleur, White-rumped Swift, Miombo Scrub Robin, African Stonechat, Sooty Chat, Croaking and Short-winged Cisticolas, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Pale Flycatcher, Black-crowned Tchagra, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Yellow Bishop and Yellow-fronted Canary.

Accommodation: Casper Lodge, Lubango
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birdwatching, Scenic stops along Leba Pass, birding at LebaScarp, exploring Tundavala escarpment

As we head south, we transition into dry-country birding, where Grey-headed and Half-collared Kingfishers inhabit riverine areas. We also search for Rüppell’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Monteiro’s Hornbill, and Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush. The striking White-tailed Shrike is common here, while other highlights include Bare-cheeked Babbler,Benguela Long-billed Lark and Cinderella Waxbill. Leaving the desert behind, we ascend the Leba Pass toward the breathtaking Tundavala escarpment, stopping for birding along the way. This route often produces sightings of Augur Buzzard, Grey Kestrel and Fülleborn’s Longclaw. We reach Lubango in the late afternoon, where we settle into our lodge.

Accommodation: Casper Lodge, Lubango
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Included activities: Birding at Tundavala

The Tundavala escarpment offers dramatic scenery and excellent high-altitude birding.Here, we have another chance to find Swierstra’s Francolin, although it remains a challenging target. Other endemics include the striking Angola Cave Chat and Angolan Slaty Flycatcher. The rocky slopes and montane vegetation also harbor Ludwig’s(Montane) Double-collared Sunbird, Bocage’s Akalat, Striped Pipit and Short-toed RockThrush. The Freckled Nightjar, Hartlaub’s Babbler and Greater Striped Swallow are among other species we may encounter. By late afternoon, we return to our lodge,enjoying the spectacular sunset over the escarpment.

Accommodation: N.A.
Meals: Breakfast

Depending on the timing of our flights out of Lubango, we may have a final morning of birding to search for any species we may have missed. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport, marking the end of our remarkable Angola birding expedition.