We had some
time left, so we ventured to Moshi to see the Kilimanjario and did a day hike
outside the (crazy expensive) National Park. We did not plan to do any birding
here, but the hike turned out to be rather productive and resulted in sightings
of Crowned Eagle, Hartlaub´s Turaco, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, White-eyed
Slaty Flycatcher, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Sharpe´s and Violet-backed Starling.
Of special interest for me (as an European birder) were three Willow Warblers
which were most likely of the
acredula
subspecies. We also enjoyed several Chameleon species, which were unfortunately left unidentified, during this walk.
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| Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilipis) (picture taken by Anna van der Kaaden) |
It was a very nice walk to end our fairly successful
Tanzania trip on which we recorded more than 300 bird species and over 30
mammal species. I can recommend this country to anyone, for it offers an
immense array of possibilities, from the standard safari or beach holiday, to
diving with Whale Sharks. I highly recommend this country to birders and for
mammal enthusiasts it is simply a must. For its most interesting part, the
biodiversity hotspot, the Eastern Arc Mountains, are unique but unknown and
therefore quiet and reasonable priced, especially when you compare them to the
ridiculously overpriced Northern Circuit safaris. However, visit these
mountains quickly as the forests in all places are being destroyed rapidly,
despite being protected and therefore many species are in great danger. Maybe
increased interest will help safeguard the future of the endemics that cling to
these forests.
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| Destruction of the forest in the West Usambara´s |
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