Mozambique’s famed Zambezi delta region is known for its unique tropical environment and is home to a huge variety of birdlife. Our exclusive Mahimba Game Reserve contains lush coastal forests, dense riverine vegetation, palm savanna, open pans and papyrus swamps with easy access to intercoastal aquatic habitats teaming with shorebirds This unique area offers the discerning bird-watching aficionado a truly wild experience, very different from other areas in Africa.
EXCLUSIVE & BESPOKE HOSPITALITY
At Mahimba, we cater to a very limited number of birding safaris, all of which take place during the month of July and are limited to four guests at a time. Our exclusive, well-appointed camp offers personalized service, excellent cuisine, bespoke beverages and of course, world-class birding opportunities. Chef Miguelito, affectionately known as “Amigo”, takes great pride in preparing “haute safari” cuisine for our esteemed guests. Our comfortable safari bungalows all have en-suite bathrooms, hot water, mosquito nets and plush linens The thatched ”lapa” is where all the socializing happens. Our well-stocked bar, sitting area, dining room, and campfire are where stories of the day’s events are retold while enjoying a glass of South African wine, ice-cold beer, or a tot of whisky.
RARE BIRD SPECIES
Rare bird species which can be encountered at Mahimba include the Bohm’s Bee-eater, African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Green Malkoha, Woodward’s Batis, and the locally endemic Swynnertoni sub-specie of the Red-necked Spurfowl. Six species of kingfisher are seen almost daily at Mahimba Mangrove, Giant, Pied, Striped, Brown-hooded, and Malachite with chances of sighting the African Pygmy and Half-collared kingfishers during your adventures. Goliath Herons are seen daily on the Macarau River as you wind your way through the picturesque jungle vegetation. Numerous heron and stork species are commonly observed along with raptors such as the African HarrierHawk, Palm-nut Vulture, Bateleur, Long-crested Eagle, and African Fish Eagle.
Some true rarities that birders have a chance of seeing while at Mahimba are Pel’s Fishing Owl, Purple Turaco, African Wood Owl, and Southern White-faced owl. Other interesting species include the Black-backed Puffback, Crab Plover, Terek’s Sandpiper, Collared Palm Thrush, Crowned Hornbill, Trumpeter Hornbill, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Green (Red-billed) Wood-hoopoe, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Sombre Greenbul, and Red-throated Twinspot.
TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE
In addition to the more than two hundred bird species you might encounter while at Mahimba, you will also get the chance to observe crocodiles and hippos while on our river excursions, as well as terrestrial species that call Mahimba home elephant, buffalo, waterbuck, sable, reedbuck, bushbuck, warthog, and bushpig. Our forests are replete with Vervet and Samango monkeys and if you ’ re lucky, you might even encounter the nocturnal Thick-tailed Bushbabies, genets, servals, or civets during our after-dinner birding drives.
EXCLUSIVE CAMP AND AIR ACCESS
Air charter is the standard method of travel to and from Mahimba Camp. Clients fly commercially to Beira (via Johannesburg or Maputo). A 1-hour 15minute, fixed-wing charter flight is then taken from Beira directly to our private airstrip, conveniently located several hundred yards from Mahimba camp where you will be met by our welcoming staff.
BIRDING TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Beira International Airport 12:15 / transfer to air charter / arrive at Mahimba Camp mid-afternoon (short birding excursion late afternoon)
Day 2 Morning / Afternoon excursions (land and river depending on tides)
Day 3 Morning / Afternoon excursions (land and river depending on tides)
Day 4 Morning / Afternoon excursions (land and river depending on tides)
Day 5 Full day river trip to coastal estuary for observation of shorebirds; river birding and crocodile & hippo viewing throughout; lunch onboard the boat
Day 6 Morning / Afternoon excursions (land and river depending on tides)
Day 7 Morning / Afternoon excursions (land and river depending on tides)
Day 8 Departure from Mahimba Camp by air charter 08:30 / Arrive at Beira International Airport for departing flight connections 09:45
Notes:
Optional 1-hour night drives after dinner using a spotlight to look for nocturnal species such as Mozambique (Square-tailed) Nightjars and Senegal Lapwings are available and included in the itinerary. Land excursions include guided walking tours in different habitats at Mahimba and/or drives in our comfortable Land Cruiser
2025 Dates
July 2 – 9
July 9 – 16
July 16 – 23
July 23 – 30
2026 Dates
July 1 – 8
July 8 – 15
July 15 – 22
July 22 – 29
BIRDING SAFARI RATES 2025 - 2026
$6,995 per person all-inclusive of the following
Rates Include:
7 nights all-inclusive
Accommodation and all meals during the course of the tour
All meals and standard beverages—soft drinks, bottled water, local beers, and standard wines and spirits (specialty liquor available at a surcharge)
Personalized guides and staff for the duration of the birding safari
Daily laundry service
Meet & Greet services upon arrival in Beira, Mozambique
Private air charter transfers to/from Beira – Mahimba Camp
Rates Exclude:
Hotel accommodation or meals before or after the birding safari
Travel or medical evacuation insurance
Mozambique visa fee
Tips / gratuities to staff
Bookings are made with Mahimba Safaris / Huntersinc.com LLC per the following:
A booking is confirmed with a 50% deposit on the total rate per person
The balance of 50% is due six months (180 days) prior to the commencement of the tour
Cancellations are non-refundable. Alternatively, a tour may be postponed and re-booked for a later date in the same year or the next, subject to availability and potential price increases if a replacement guest can be secured.
GALLERY OF BIRDING TREASURES
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
2 pairs of light-weight close-toed shoes (in case one gets wet)
1 pair of comfortable camp shoes or flip-flops
2 pairs of long pants
2 pairs of short pants
3 shirts
1 lightweight jacket or fleece
Light-weight rain gear
Broad-brimmed hat and/or cap
Casual wear for evenings
Camera equipment / tripod
Batteries & chargers
Quality binoculars
Malaria prophylaxis
Insect repellant
Sunscreen
Flashlight & headlamp
MOZAMBIQUE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Visitors must have a passport, valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your intended departure from Mozambique and have a minimum of two (2) blank pages. All non-Mozambique citizens must have a visa (obtained on arrival for USA and EU citizens).
Visa (issued on arrival for USA and EU citizens at a cost of ± USD $10 each).
Our meet & greet agent will meet guests at the airport to assist with all relevant immigration and baggage assistance and assist with transference to our private charter plane.
CLIMATE & HEALTH
Mahimba has a humid tropical climate and is generally cool at night and warm during day. Average temperatures during July range from ± 58° at night to 82° F during the day.
Occasional rain showers are likely this time of year, so please be prepared with light rain gear.
Mozambique is a malaria area and clients are advised to consult their personal physician for the best prophylaxis.
