18-19 Aug 2019: Into Zimbabwe

The border post at Beitbridge was its usual organised chaos, and it took two frustrating hours to cross into Zimbabwe. Along the road to Masvingo I was awarded a PHD by Maans and became a Professional Pothole Dodger. We arrived at Norma Jean’s, with a beautiful view over Lake Kyle, and soon ticked the Miombo Double-collared Sunbird and African Yellow White-eye, both new birds for the Year List. I slept in the luxurious comfort of Daai Dêng while Maans pitched his tent and was very outspoken about his “klippies” matrass that blended in on the rocky surface.

Lake Kyle from Norma Jean's

We travelled via the scenic route around Lake Kyle and on route, in a patch of Miombo, spent an hour to track down the Wood Pipit. While having lunch at the White Horse Inn in the Bvumba Highlands we had good views of some Green Twinspots and a pair of Silvery-cheeked Hornbills that flew in and perched nearby. The forest next to the gardens delivered a beautiful White-starred Robin. Buluwesi, the Seldom Seen guide, soon found us a pair of Red-faced Crimsonwings, African Firefinch, Spotted Ground Thrush, Swynnerton's Robin and Mottled Swifts. Just another good day of birding in Africa!

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Bvumba