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DJIBOUTI & SOMALILAND
Birdquest's Djibouti & Somaliland birding tour is an exciting journey 'off-the-beaten-track' in the Horn of Africa. Djibouti is a small, former French-ruled enclave at the mouth of the Red Sea and Somaliland the former British colony of British Somaliland that was merged, against the will of its people, with Italian-ruled Somalia on decolonization and has since broken free of its troubled neighbour. Enjoy some splendid eastern African birding, including endemics you cannot see elsewhere, while pioneering a new birdwatching destination.
Sunday 9th September -
Thursday 27th September 2012
(19 days)
Leaders:
Nigel Redman and Abdi Jama
Group Size Limit: 10
Tour Category: Easy for the most part, occasionally Moderate
Warlords, pirates, chaos and lawlessness are all associated with Somalia. What isn’t widely appreciated is that the territory in the northwest that was once British Somaliland has since 1991 been separated from the rest of Somalia as ‘The Republic of Somaliland’. Although the territory‘s separate status is not yet recognised by the international community, this largely peaceful enclave doesn’t take kindly to being associated with Somalia‘s descent into anarchy. Somaliland is a pro-western Muslim country that is keen to welcome foreigners.
For those adventurous enough to join this unusual and pioneering tour, we have put together a really comprehensive itinerary to both Djibouti and Somaliland to look for the endemics and other restricted-range specialities of the region.
The tiny but entirely stable country of Djibouti is the most important port in the Horn of Africa due to its strategic position at the narrowest part of the Red Sea and at the mouth of the Rift Valley. Despite its small size of approximately 23,200 square kilometres, it has an impressive bird list of over 360 species.
During our time in this small country, we will be targeting the country‘s only endemic, the Djibouti Francolin, which is found in the Forêt du Day. In recent years there have also been reports of a yellow-tailed and yellow-breasted form of Green-winged Pytilia that may prove to be a distinct species and a very different looking sunbird that remains elusive and scientifically undescribed, but has been named Tôha Sunbird and probably belongs in the genus Chalcomitra. We shall certainly be hoping to find these enigmatic birds for ourselves. There is also a chance for the localised Gambaga Flycatcher, while Somali Bulbul (split from Common) and Somali Starling should be easily seen.
After crossing over into Somaliland we shall have two weeks to explore the territory. Most of our nights will be spent camping in basic but remote and fantastic locations.
As we cross the mysterious Giriyaad Plains en route to Hargeisa we will have the chance to familiarize ourselves with some of the more widespread birds of the region as well as encounter the first of the Somaliland specialities. We may well find species such as Arabian Bustard, Gillett‘s Lark, White-crowned Starling and the pretty Somali Sparrow.
Outside of the towns, Somaliland is almost devoid of people and we can expect to travel through some amazing uninhabited and wilderness scenery with wide open vistas, volcanic desert landscapes, sweeping beaches and fragrant juniper forests as we make our way eastwards.
From Hargeisa we will visit an area of rocky hills that is home to the rare Beira Antelope. The small herd is monitored and so we stand a good chance of seeing this delightful creature. The dapper, near-endemic Somali Wheatear thrives here and we should also find Somali Bee-eater before continuing driving over a succession of expansive plains where we should look out for our first near-endemic Little Brown Bustards, as well as endemic or restricted-range Somali, Lesser Hoopoe, Somali Short-toed and Blanford’s Larks.
While exploring the thorn bush countryside around Burao we will be on the lookout for Philippa’s Crombec, Arabian Warbler, Red-naped Bush-shrike and Northern Grosbeak-Canary before continuing into some remote and amazing red-sand country, punctuated with some impressive red termitaria, as we approach the Ethiopian border. This is the known area for finding Collared Lark, and the handsome Heuglin’s Bustard becomes more and more likely as we progress.
Next we shall embark on a long drive across the Ban Cade Plains, where we can resume our lark-quest and also encounter numbers of Spotted Sandgrouse before reaching the town of Ceerigaabo.
Our ultimate location is the Daallo Forest Reserve that lies in the centre of northern Somaliland on the Golis Range escarpment. It is prime habitat for the endemic Archer’s Buzzard (split from Augur), Somali Thrush, Somali Golden-winged Grosbeak and Warsangli Linnet. Archer’s Francolin (split from Orange River) also occurs, but can be difficult to locate, while other restricted-range species include Brown-rumped Seedeater. During our stay we shall also visit an impressive seabird colony on a rocky island near Maydh that holds enormous numbers of Brown Noddies and Bridled and Sooty Terns, as well as Masked Boobies and Red-billed Tropicbirds.
Returning to Burao, we shall head north, stopping en route to look for Sombre Rock Chat before reaching the port of Berbera where we shall visit some attractive rocky gorges near the town that are home to the localized endemic Somali Rock Pigeon.
With the exception of the little-known Archer’s Lark, this should complete our collection of accessible Somali endemics. The habitat for the lark has apparently disappeared due to agriculture and encroachment of the grasslands by alien plants. Recent searches for the bird have all drawn a blank and so it is not included in this itinerary.
This trip builds on our experiences during our pioneering 2010 tour and will be a truly unique experience and allows a chance to visit one of the least known ornithological destinations in Africa. For our safety and security, it is a requirement in Somaliland that trained and armed tourism police escort us. As most governments do not recognize the state of Somaliland, it is unlikely standard travel insurance will be valid there, so you must bear this in mind if you wish to participate in the tour.
Birdquest has operated tours to Djibouti and Somaliland since 2010.
(Note: The above is a summary of the tour. For more information please download the detailed, day-by-day itinerary. The button is at the top right of the page.)
Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels and lodges in Djibouti, Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao are of normal Birdquest standard. The camping conditions will be basic, with tents for single or twin occupancy. Road transport will be by 4x4 vehicles and road conditions vary from good to bad.
Walking: The walking effort is easy for the most part, but occasionally moderate.
Climate: Generally hot and dry. It is sometimes humid on the coast. Some rain is likely at this season.
Bird Photography: Opportunities are good.
Tour Price: $6460 Djibouti/Djibouti. Price includes all transportation, all accommodations, all meals, bottled water, some drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, all tips for local drivers/guides and for accommodations/restaurants, leader services.
Single Room/Tent Supplement: $583.
Deposit: 10% of the tour price (excluding any single supplement).
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency can arrange your air travel in connection with the tour from a departure point anywhere in the world, or you may arrange your own air travel if you prefer. We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to travel in advance of the tour (and spend a night in an hotel so you will feel fresh when the tour starts), or return later than the end of the tour, or make a side trip to some other destination, or travel business class rather than economy, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.
Birdquest LLC, 3721 Executive Center Drive, Suite 268, Austin, TX 78731
Ph: 512-343-1700, Fax: 512-343-1701
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