wildlife tours tanzania trip report 2011
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Southern Tanzania
Flora & Fauna of the Southern Highlands
A Greentours Trip Report
3rd – 18th February 2011
Led by Paul Cardy & Rosalind Salter
Day 1 – London Heathrow
Our Group of eleven all met at ‘Departures’ – well, except Derrick who we found on the plane!
The British Airways flight was on time.
Day 2 – Arrive in Dar-es-Salaam
We arrived early at 7.00am greeted by February’s warm sticky air as we disembarked the
plane. Everyone except Rondi (tour leader) and her Mum had got their visas so continued on
through to the sole baggage carousel in ‘Arrivals’ and then on to exchange money or use the
cash machine, which typically had run out of money!
Instead of going direct to the hotel we took the opportunity to detour through the city centre.
We passed characterful German, British, Asian and Arab influenced architecture, which have
over recent years been joined by smart high-rise buildings, giving the city a real up and coming
modern feel. We passed the port, the new and now not so smelly fish market, the new ship-
shaped lighthouse and President Kikwete’s Residence. We followed the coast north, via the
palm-fringed Coco Beach and Oyster Bay to Msasani peninsula, where the majority of
Ambassadors, Ex-pats and rich Tanzanians are in residence. Out to sea we could see the
incongruous mix of giant tankers (who queue for months to get into Dar-es-salaam’s
undersized port) and small wooden fishing and passenger dhows gliding inbetween them.
Continuing north, we reached the quiet area of Kawe, where we found our Hotel Meditteraneo,
situated amongst attractive and mature gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean. Whilst waiting
for our rooms to become available we relaxed, our weariness soothed by a warm breeze, a cold
drink and warm fresh croissants, as we watched crab plovers, ibises, herons, egrets, sandpipers
and cormorants enjoying the fishing opportunities at low tide. Another easy spot was a yellow-
headed dwarf gecko running along wooden railings, separating us from the beach below.
Bongoyo Island
Late morning the advanced group paddled out to the Hotel boat through bath warm water,
which took us swiftly across the bay to Bongoyo Island, which forms part of Dar-es-Salaam’s
Marine Reserve. In 20 minutes we arrived on this gem of an island and quickly scampered over
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the baking hot sand to the shade. After a short walk through the coastal thicket the second
group joined us and we had freshly prepared red snapper and chips on the beach.
The intertidal zone surrounding the island comprises small sandy beaches as well as sharp
coral-based rocky flats, where we found Conger Eels, Nile Monitor Lizards and coral rag
skinks. Euphorbia candelabrum, Euphorbia tirucalli and Commiphora spp. dominate the bush here.
Common ground flora included a lily Chlorophytum sp. and wild coffee Coffea sp. Common
butterfly species observed included Clear Wing Acraea Acraea rabbiae, Small Salmon Arab
Colotis amata ssp.calais and Round-winged Orange-tip Colotis euippe ssp.omphale. Notable bird
sightings included Mangrove kingfisher, a pair of Black-throated Wattle-eye and Olivaceous
Warbler. Back at the hotel we had time to relax or do a spot of birding around the gardens
(sightings included Village Weaver, House Sparrow, Blue-capped Cordon-bleu and Red-
fronted Tinkerbird) or swim in the sea/pool before we dined on the seafront.
Day 3 - Dar-es-Salaam to Udzungwa National Park
We left promptly at 6.00 am. An early start was necessary to avoid the traffic hell that cripples
the city from 6.30 am every day. After a quick stop at Chalinze (junction to the north) to get
large & colourful umbrellas (perfect walking stick come rain protector) and water, we left the
urban and cultivated sprawl of the coast and the landscape opened up as we dropped down
onto the plains.
Uluguru Mountains
About 3 hrs into our journey we started to get views of the spectacularly steep peaks of the
Uluguru mountains, which form part of the chain of the Eastern Arc Mountains Hotspot. These
forested mountains comprised of Uluguru North and Uluguru South have recently been
upgraded from two Forest Reserves to a single Nature Reserve, as a result of extensive surveys
that highlighted the mountains high levels of endemism and critical importance as a water
catchment area. The small town of Morogoro lies at the
foot of these mountains, which we clipped the edge of as
we drove on towards Mikumi National Park. During a
brief stop here by a Sisal plantation we saw a group of
Abdim’s Storks circling high in the sky and of course a
few more butterflies and flowers!
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Mikumi National Park
As we entered the park we saw small groups of impala, and a lone bushbuck, whilst grey
hornbills glided gracefully overhead. As the landscape evolved we saw large numbers of
elephant, a two hundred strong herd of buffalo, numerous Burchell’s zebra, giraffe and
warthog. We had a brief stop at the park gate to admire various flowers such as ginger
Siphonochilus aethiopicus and butterflies including many Tiny Orange Tip Colotis evagore
subspecies antigone, Leaden Ciliate Blue Anthene amarah and the superb Peculiar Giant Cupid
Lepidochrysops peculiaris. Then, we continued on to Kikaboga Camp for a light lunch. From the
shade a Marula tree, around which a restaurant is built, we saw elephant, buffalo, giraffe,
impala and zebra out of the plains against the impressive backdrop of the Rubeho and
Udzungwa mountains. Memorable bird sightings included Grey Kestrel, Bateleur Eagle
Woolly-necked Stork, African White-backed Vulture, and a singing fruit bat was spotted under
the restaurant roof – easily identified by the white tufts in its ears.
Udzungwa National Park
Driving on from Mikumi NP, we turned off
south at Mikumi Town, a linear truck stop
settlement, where Internet Hotels are
advertised but actually supply neither
service! We wound our way around the
foothills; past the hydro-electric power
station at Kilombero, where the Great Ruaha
flows out of Kidatu dam. From here we wove
our way inbetween the sugar plantations,
which are set back from the Udzungwa mountain range on the fertile plains of the Kilombero
valley and allow for wonderful views of the forest and the majestic Sanje Waterfall, appearing
like a ribbon running through the trees. We arrived at Hondo Hondo Camp, near the park HQ
at Mang’ula village in good time, greeted with cool flannels and glasses of fresh juice to mop
our sweaty brows and quench our thirst.
Water comes straight off the mountain and in several of the luxury tents you bathe whilst
looking into the forest behind where you can hear and see Sykes (Blue) monkeys leaping from
tree to tree. That evening we dined on excellent food, cooked on charcoal in authentic
Tanzanian style, under the stars warmed by an open fire. A storm was visible in the distance
over the Selous Game Reserve and as we retired to bed we hoped the storm would pass us
by……..
Day 4 – Udzungwa National Park
……The storm had of course not passed us by and so there were a few bleary-eyed faces at
breakfast. The use of ear plugs or the removal of hearing aids had done little to soften the
sound of the booming thunder. A few made it up for some early morning birding and were
rewarded with sightings of various weavers, bishops and a Little Bee-eater. Around the camp
the endemic butterfly Kielland’s Bush Brown Bicyclus kiellandi was also recorded. It was a clear
morning and we were all keen to go out exploring. Whilst waiting for our permits at the park
HQ, some were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Harvey’s Duiker, then Paul took one group
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off up Sanje Waterfall, whilst Rondi’s group visited Prince Bernard waterfall and walked the
Sonjo Trail.
Walk up Sanje Waterfall
The walk up to the top of the falls is no further than 3 km but it is quite steep in parts so a
steady pace was needed with lots of butterfly, plant and primate spotting stops as usual. One is
unlikely to see Sanje mangabey on this trail as unhabituted groups are incredibly shy, however,
the also endemic Udzungwa Red Colobus, with their conspicuous heads of red spiky hair, are a
likely sighting and the group saw several groups along with the striking Angolan Black and
White Colobus displaying their fantastic long white epaulets as well as several Sykes Monkeys.
At the start of the walk an African Wood Owl was observed being
mobbed and then on reaching the halfway point the group were
rewarded with probably the best view en route of the falls (inset). Here
there are benches and in the sunshine a good spot for butterflies.
Continuing on up the forest canopy gets higher and denser with
species such as Parkia filicoidea displaying huge buttress roots, which
are used by locals as a natural drum. Other distinctive species seen
included Tabernaemontana elegans; a small tree with large glossy leaves
and sweet smelling creamy flowers that littered the path; Albizia
gummifera with their long flattened pods; and Anthocleista grandiflora
displaying extremely large cabbage like leaves clustered at the ends of
branches. Memorable ground flora included Impatiens wallerana and
the saprophytic orchid Polystachya meliodora; found on a precarious slope. Forest butterflies
seen included Forest Grass Yellow Eurema senegalensis, Angular Bush Brown Bicyclus angulosus
subspecies selousi, Forest Mother-of-Pearl Protogoniomorpha parhassus.
Once at the top you can walk out on to the rocks where you are presented with a spectacular
view looking out over the Kilombero Valley towards the Selous Game Reserve and the
Uluguru Mountains. Butterflies recorded along the river and in dappled light included Mocker
Swallowtail Papilio dardanus subspecies tibullus, Veined Swordtail Graphium leonidas, Dancing
Swordtail Graphium polistratus, Desmond’s Green-banded Swallowtail Palilio desmondi
usambarensis and several species of sailor Neptis saclava and Neptis carcassoni. Bird sightings
including Green-backed Woodpecker, White-throated Bee-eater, Eastern Nicator and
Livingstone’s Flycatcher.
The Hondo Hondo chef joined the group up the mountain at a simple shelter where he served
a simple but tasty meal next to the river. After lunch the group continued upstream (along the
flat finally!) where there were several more waterfalls with attractive pools surrounded by
impatiens and saintpaulias, before heading steadily back.
Prince Bernard Waterfall
Rondi’s group had intended to follow the habituated group of Sanje Mangabey but due to the
heavy rain the rangers had failed to find them, so while they continued to look we went for a
short walk through the forest behind the park HQ which lead us down to the Prince Bernard
Waterfall. Here we were treated with the sightings of the large endemic butterfly Horniman’s
Swallowtail Papilio hornimani subspecies mwanihanae and in amongst the Selaginella (spikemoss)
we saw flowers including prolific Impatiens wallerana, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sanseveria,
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delicate pink melastome Dissotis senegambiensis with its striking long yellow anthers and an
unidentified white orchid of the genus Aerangis.
Walking further into the forest the most dominant trees seen were Milletia excelsa, Sterculia
appendiculata and Anthocliesta glandiflora and here we caught sight of the Udzungwa Red
Colobus for the first time. We also saw dung beetles busy rolling pieces of old elephant dung.
Other plants seen included Sadoxus multifola (fruiting), Piper capense, with its heart-shaped
glossy leaves and blue Commelina latifolia (on disturbed ground).
Sonjo trail.
After a delicious lunch and relaxation in the shade back at Hondo Hondo we drove a short
distance to the beginning of the Sonjo Trail, passing several troops of baboon along the way.
Before we had even entered the forest we were presented with a wonderful view of a troop of
Angolan black and white colobus playing in the boundary trees. Ascending slowly we
followed the Sonjo river through good quality forest. We saw Giant Kingfisher and Palmnut
Vulture in a large tree along the rivers edge and along the path several charismatic plant
species including Zingiberale Costus macranthus (4 large leaves with a single large delicate
yellow flower) and Arum Amorphophallus abyssinicus. After reaching an attractive waterfall we
found pink impatiens wallerana, Begonia meyeri-johannis, the creamy white woolley-flowered
Kanahia laniflora and a purple species of Thunbergia. A few of us had a dip at the base of the
waterfall to cool off before heading back to Hondo Hondo. Butterfly sightings included the
locally common Savannah Bush Brown Bicyclus safitza and Gold-banded Forester Euphaedra
neophron, also known to local researchers as the ‘Forest Bitch’!
Day 5 – Udzungwa National Park
We awoke to another beautiful day after
another spectacular storm overnight. The dirt
road that runs back from the camp was silent
and there was news that trucks were stuck on
the road. Unfortunately the government had
been late in preparing the roads for the rain so
when the rain came, the piles of soil that had
been placed by the roadside (in preparation)
were spread over the road overnight by the
heavy rain. This created ‘quicksand’ and
inevitably vehicles got stuck and blocked the road. Rondi’s group who were heading to Sanje
waterfall that day went to investigate to see if there was a way through, but after some
impressive attempts by our driver Murshid, we decided to turn back and try our luck at
finding the habituated group of Sanje mangabey that we had missed the day before.
Amazingly, along the roadside on the way back we saw a group of Sanje Mangabey. Sightings
such as this are very rare as groups other than the habituated group are usually extremely shy
and elusive.
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Walking with the Sanje Mangabey
Paul’s group had set off to find the recently habituated group
of the endemic Sanje Mangabey first thing after breakfast.
Listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered, the Sanje
Mangabey, discovered in 1979, are only found here in the
Mwanihana forests of the National Park and further south in
the Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve.
The rangers had located them over night and they were not far
from camp. These rangers have followed this group since 2006
to track their location and study their behaviour. After a short
but slightly steep walk through the forest both groups (Rondi’s
Group met Paul’s group coming down as they went up) were
lucky enough to see the Mangabeys at close quarters. The group
was approximately 40 strong with four pregnant females and numerous new borns clinging
onto their mothers. These strangely beautiful animals are incredibly graceful to watch, as they
silently and effortlessly move between every stratum of their home, from the upper canopy to
the forest floor. It is no wonder that they are known as the ‘Ghosts of the forest’. The group
passed by, occasionally stopping to forage on the forest floor, tearing open dead wood for
insects, digging for roots and tubers and rummaging around for fallen fruits of the Sorindeia
madagascariensis tree.
Paul’s group had lunch back at Hondo Hondo while Rondi’s group had a tasty plated picnic
lunch on a forested ridge. The assistant chef from Hondo Hondo, with an endless smile and
ginormous biceps(!), had heroically carried lunch for six all morning; his smile even bigger
when every crump had been eaten up. After a few hours rest back at Hondo Hondo, shading
ourselves from the midday sun, Rondi’s group went for a walk to the village, via the
Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre, to get a taste of the amazing research that is being
done in the area and to see how the local community live and work. Meanwhile, Paul’s group
went for a walk around Prince Bernard’s waterfall. Having returned to Hondo Hondo we all
enjoyed a drink, whilst we went through the bird and mammal checklists and Trumpeter and
Crowned Hornbills flew overhead back to their roosts on the edge of the forest.
Another delicious meal under the stars was followed by a night walk around camp. Several
unidentified bat species were picked up on a bat detector and a bushbaby (most likely Small-
eared Galago Otolemur garnettii) was seen high up in a tree on the edge of camp.
Day 6 – Udzungwa NP – Kisolanza
Leaving Hondo Hondo we made our way back through the sugar cane fields where many
water birds were observed including Long-tailed Cormorants, Open-billed Storks and Cattle
Egrets. On reaching Mikumi we headed off on the Tazam highway towards the Southern
Highlands.
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Boabab Valley
The road winds its way down into Boabab Valley where the mighty Great Ruaha River, at this
time of year high and a muddy orange colour, flows along the northern edge of the Udzungwa
range. The forest here is much drier and where the wooded valley floor opens out you are
presented with thousands of Boabab trees in a very remote-feeling and breathtaking landscape.
Because of the recent rain everything was fresh and in flower and busy with butterflies and
birds for which we took time to stop and enjoy. Baboons were frequently seen scavenging on
the roadside. We stopped at Crocodile Camp for lunch and time for some bird watching and
butterfly spotting. Notable bird species included African Fish Eagle, Beautiful Sunbird and
Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah and several species of Cuckoo. Butterflies recorded included
Foxy Charaxes Charaxes saturnus, Purple Tip Colotis ione, Coast Hairstreak Hypolycaena pachalica
and the endemic Leucochitonia amneris which was found mud puddling.
Leaving the valley we ascended up the
dramatic Ruaha gorge to approx. 1500m and
entered into a landscape strewn with granite
boulders.
Isimila Stone Age Site
Mid afternoon we arrived at Isimila Stone
Age site just a few miles on from Iringa
Town. The caretaker of the site gave us a
short talk about the site and showed us a
collection of Stone Age tools, which are
thought to be over 200,000 yrs old. The
weather was pleasantly cool and overcast as we walked through some abandoned cultivated
land, showing remnants of Sisal plants, potato plants as well as attractive common species such
as Sesamum angolense, which resembles a foxglove but is actually part of the Sesame family. We
also came a cross a large Guttural Toad Buffo gutturalis. After a short walk we arrived at the
surprisingly impressive gorge filled with sandstone pinnacles capped with basalt. We walked
along the sandy gorge bed, enjoying many attractive species such as Flame Lily Gloriosa superba
and the slightly smaller Gloriosa minor, a large species of lily Chlorophytum sp., stonecrops, aloes
and cacti. Acacia species were also common with the Whistling Acacia displaying an
interesting symbiotic relationship with ants that occupy the swollen bases of the thorns. Vervet
Monkeys were seen leaping from pillar to pillar as well as a Rock Hyrax, which was seen
sheltering in a small cave on the cliff side. Birds observed included White-headed Sawwing,
Brown-headed Apalis and Cliff Chat. Butterfly species recorded included Red-spot Ciliate Blue
Anthene lunulata.
Kisolanza
Just half an hour on from Isimila we arrived at Kisolanza Farm where you almost feel you
could be in the English countryside with the rolling hills and cool evening air. We arrived in
time for a very civilized cup of tea and piece of cake (well some of us anyway!). The attractive
cottages in which we stayed are found amongst Brachystegia woodland, all with hot water
provided by woodburning stoves. The evening meal was served in the converted ruins of an
old mud building, which was very atmospheric and we were served with excellent home
cooked food.
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Day 7 – Kisolanza – Mbeya
Some made it up early for birdwatching and then breakfast
was taken on the restaurant veranda overlooking a beautiful
and colourful garden where variable sunbirds were also
enjoying their breakfast. Most of the group then took a guided
tour of the farm’s Shira Flower project. Here they are growing
flowers such as Eryngium (Sea Holly) on a small scale for
export. They are also trialing other species such as Agapanthus.
The rest of the group continued down to the reservoir for more bird watching with sightings
including Darter, Yellow-billed Duck and Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Butterflies including a sylph
Metisella orientalis.
Back at the farm we found a Tubercle-nosed Chameleon Chamaeleo tempeli, a restricted range
Tanzania endemic, in the garden. Then, after a sumptuous lunch back at the Farm we
continued Southwest along the Tazam highway passing the tea growing region of Mafinga, Sao
Hill and Makambako, where geographically the Eastern Arc mountains end and the Southern
Rift mountains begin. As a result of the fertile volcanic soils found in this area there is intensive
cultivation as well as productive pine and wattle plantations. Past Makambako we returned
into Miombo woodland and got a wonderful view of the Lugala escarpment to the South
reaching 2300m. This makes up part of Kipengere-Mpanga Game Reserve, a critical water
catchment area, and stretching out, to what seems like infinity, to the north are the Usangu
flats; these flats ultimately leading into Ruaha National Park and the Great Ruaha River.
Utengule
We passed Mbeya town, nestled beneath the
Mbeya mountain range, straight onto Utengule,
half an hour further West. Utengule Coffee
Lodge is set within its own nature reserve and
coffee estate. With a panoramic view over the
mountains towards Malawi and Zambia,
colourful garden and the therapeutic sound of
birds singing we felt instantly relaxed. There was
time to enjoy some late afternoon birding within
the mature gardens where common residents
include Spotted and Dusky Flycatchers,
Jamison’s Firefinch, White-browed Robin-chat, African Pied Wagtail and Variable, Olive and
Scarlet-chested Sunbirds. We had dinner out on the terrace and were visited by an Atlas Moth.
Day 8 – Around Utengule and Mporoto Crater Lake
Walk to Coffee farm
After breakfast on the terrace a small group stayed with Paul at Utengule for some birding and
wandered through the woodland down to the Coffee groves and along the river, where they
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saw various swallows, warblers, cuckoo-shrikes and flycatchers, as well as numerous
butterflies including Ruppell’s Dotted Border Mylothris rueppelli, Little Commodore Junonia
sophia and a hopper Platylesches picanini. A Red-headed Rock Agama was also sighted.
Songwe Bat caves and hot springs
After a leisurely lunch at the lodge Paul’s Group headed off to the nearby Pango la Popo (bat
caves) found beneath an old marble quarry on the edge of the steeply carved Songwe valley.
They ventured inside the cave which had unnervingly large holes, where locals had been
digging for the fertile bat guano. At least 5 species are known to the caves, including Pipistrelle,
Rhinolophus and Myotis spp. Local children apparently quite often eat bats from this cave
because they are a cheap source of protein! A narrow entrance opens up into an impressive
cavern where several species of bats were seen hanging and a disturbed few flying around.
A few hundred metres further along the valley we found a small hot spring that supported
several species of dragonfly including Palpopleura jucunda and a locally abundant species of
spurge. Trees included common coral tree Erythrina lysistemon, Commiphora sp and Euphorbia
candelabrum. Other sightings included Cinnamon-chested Rock Bunting, Red-winged Starling,
Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Spot-flanked Barbet and Great Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus major.
Mporoto Crater Lake
The rest of the group started off at 8 am with Rondi. We picked up a
local guide in Mbeya and passed by the Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS) project office, where the Southern Highlands Conservation
Project (SHCP) is based, to get information on any possible access
issues. Here we saw several specimens of a new species of bush baby
Galagoides sp. (from Mt. Rungwe) that had been collected for analysis.
We then took the Malawi road and wound our way around the hills,
through lush and productive cultivated land, with views of Mt
Rungwe; an extinct volcanoe, and the hills of Malawi in the distance.
We paid fees at a small wooden hut on the roadside and then
continued along a rough forest track to the base of the slope, which
leads to the craters edge.
Mporoto Crater is flanked by highland
forest, forming a Forest Reserve, and at
this time of year is a good place to see
flowering plants. Along the trail we saw
dozens of the large and very handsome
purple orchid Calanthe sylvatica, as well as
Streptocarpus sp, orange Begonia
sutherlandii, delicate pink Impatiens
confusa, and bright orange Montbretia Crocosmia aurea which were found along the crater’s
ridge. From here the beautiful lake was clearly visible within the steep caldera walls. We
lunched on the ridge and then descended and walked back along the rough track, which was
awash with tall red-orange Impatiens austrotanzanica and numerous striking Flame Lilies
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Gloriosa superba. We also heard the range-restricted Fuelleborn's Boubou and the calls of
Angolan Black and White Colobus as they crashed through the trees.
Day 9 - Mount Rungwe
After breakfast the whole group made its way to Mt.
Rungwe, located to the East of Mporoto crater. We
stopped at a thronging fruit and vegetable market
along the way to buy mangos and bananas to
supplement lunch – some of the cheapest in
Tanzania! Once off the main road we again wound
our way up rough tracks through small settlements
to the base of the mountain.
Mt. Rungwe not only has wonderful forest but is also
the home of the most recently discovered primate
Rungwecebus kipunji, the only member of its genus. A group of scientists from the Southern
Highland Conservation Project (SHCP), were the first to discover this newly described primate
in 2003. We were luckily enough to have permission to visit the research camp which was set
up primarily to study and monitor Kipunji but also to conduct research on various other
endemic species, including the Rungwe Galago and Rungwe Bush Viper, that have been
discovered here in recent years.
We had rather a hot walk through cultivated land to the edge of the forest where the instant
coolness from the shade was very welcome. Numerous bird species including Black Sawwing,
Yellow-browed Seedeater, Livingstone’s Turaco and Silvery-cheeked Hornbill were observed
on the forest edge and a short way into the forest in an area filled with spectacular tree ferns
we got a wonderful display from a troop of Angolian Black and White Colobus. These, a
different sub-species to those seen in the Udzungwa mountains. Butterfly species observed
included Emperor Swallowtail Papilio ophidocephalus, White-banded Swallowtail Papilio
echerioides, a patroller Henotesia ubenica and Mountain Pearl Charaxes Charaxes acuminatus.
After a short walk through the forest we arrived at the research camp where we were fed with
delicious freshly cooked chapattis, mango
and pineapple and a good cup of tea. Some
took a walk through the lush forest around
camp where Kipunji are often seen whilst
the others walked slowly back down the
mountain. Our guide, Rama, was a research
assistant for a PhD on the behaviour and
ecology of Kipunji and pointed out their
favorite food plants and trees as we walked.
Flower species such as Impatiens confusa and
Calanthe sylvatica were commonly seen.
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Day 10 – Utengule - Kitulo National Park
After a leisurely breakfast we made our way towards Kitulo National Park. After rain in the
night we decided against the route through Chimala Forest Reserve where 50 hair-pin bends
have to be negotiated before reaching the high grassland plateau. Instead we took the equally
impressive route from Ruaha village, which follows the boundary of the neighbouring
Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve. We stopped for a picnic lunch by a River set within an area
of Miombo woodland littered with attractive flowers. After lunch the road got steeper as we
ascended towards the plateau and the flowers became more striking with sightings of striking
large orange Thunbergia gregorii, pale pink Impatiens polyantha, white trumpet flowered Pentas
decora, the bright pink orchid Disa walleri and milk bush Xysmalobium undulatum. On reaching
Matamba village on the edge of the park we settled into the friendly and characterful Super
Eden Hotel and Mama Izengo’s Lodge and had time for a wander round the village before a
tasty traditional Tanzanian dinner.
Day 11 – Kitulo National Park
The road leading to the park climbs up to the far end of Matamba ridge (approx. 2600m) that
forms the boundary of the park. ‘Edge of the earth’ views were worthy of a photographic stop
and a quick ‘botanize’ then we descended a short way, through fresh smelling pine plantations,
into the park. Kitulo National Park was gazetted in 2002 for its floral diversity, most notably
orchids, and breeding populations of rare bird species such as Denham’s Bustard and Blue
Swallow.
Numbe Valley
The rains were late this year and so we were presented with species
usually seen much earlier in the season. The top of the valley was
covered in unmissable orchids, most striking were white Habenaria
macrura (see inset), red Disa robusta and Satyrium acutirostrum and the
large green orchid Habenaria occlusa. Forming carpets throughout were
delicate pink Geranium incanum and white Lobelia
angolensis. A short walk from the track we descended
into an area of marshland to find the charismatic
Mountain Marsh (or otherwise called Buff-shouldered) Widowbirds which
we, as expected, found displaying with their long ribbon-like tail feathers, on
the red-hot pokers (Kniphophia spp.) and the tall bright pink orchid Satyrium
neglectum var. brevicalcar. We also saw bright flashes of the Malachite
Sunbird. Pockets of the delightful canary yellow Morea tanzanica were seen
on the way back up to the vehicles and we then made our way down the
valley a short way to a small stream. Here we found the tiny purple orchid
Eulophia clavicornis and dainty bulb Xyris obscura. After a cooked lunch served on a bridge, we
drove up onto the plateau. Along the road side we found further species including Habenaria
kyimbilae whose green and white flowers resemble insects, the vermillion red orchid Disa stolzii,
Ever-lasting Flower Helichrysum herbaceum, Angel’s Fishing Rods Delphinium leroyi and the
nodding heads of Clematopsis uhehensis. Trees including the native high altitude species Hagenia
abyssinica along with an exotic Pinus sp scattered across the plateau.
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Notable bird sightings included Augur buzzard, Mountain Buzzard, Lannar Falcon,
Fulleborn’s Longclaw, flocks of Yellow-rumped Seedeater flying between scattered trees and
numerous Whinchats. Unlike last year, sadly we were not lucky enough to catch a glimpse of
Denham’s Bustard. Kitulo is one of the few remaining breeding sites for this bird and it is a rare
sight. The cloud came down and we headed home. Back in Matamba we were presented with
buckets of piping hot water for a very welcome evening wash and good food.
Day 12 – Kitulo National Park
Matamba Ridge
It was a slightly overcast day but the ridge was clear as we slowly ascended
along a well-trodden track used by locals travelling between Matamba and
Kitulo village. Forming the northern border of the national park the ridge
rises to 2895m and although we only reached around 2700m the thin air
was notable. Quartzite outcrops run the length of the ridge giving rise to
acidic soils which host a combination of species quite different from the
damp grasslands found below.
Species observed included yellow Crassula vaginata, Impatiens rosulata,
cushion–forming Helichrysum tillandsifolium and the striking pink
orchid Disa welwitschii (inset). Other orchid species seen included
Schizochilus sulphureus and Satyrium johnstonii. Shrubby species
dominated the exposed rocky areas including Erica mannii, Erica
silvatica, Phylica emiirnensis and Protea humifusa. Butterfly species
sighted included Neocoenyra petersi, which is endemic to the plateau. Up on the hillside we got a
wonderful view stretching out along the Matamba ridge and down into the Numbe valley and
the plateau beyond. The wind picked up and cloud started to come in as we made our way
back down. Paul located an attractive Gladiolus unguiculatus under some Pinus trees before
lunch and along the track leading to the entrance building we found a deep maroon coloured
orchid Eulophia odontoglossa (syn. Shupangae) and a chameleon Chameleo goetzei (inset).
Waterfall
We drove half way down Numbe valley and then walked a short distance
down to an attractive waterfall which was surrounded by flowers including;
tall yellow orchid Satyrium sphaeranthum, attractive white Satyrium longicauda
and the small and delicate green orchid Satyrium johnstonii. Also seen were
beautiful examples of parrot-beaked gladioli Gladiolus dalenii (inset) and the
scabious Cephalaria pungens. Continuing on we came across a marshy area full
of the giant Lobelia mildbraedii and large pink specimens of Satyrium neglectum
var. brevicalcar. After a flower-filled day we headed back to Matamba, with a
quick stop to look at the ‘end of the earth’ view for the last time.
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Day 13 - Kitulo NP – Kimani – Utengule
We left the plateau and descended towards Kimani,
passing through the south-western edge of the
Kipengere-Mpanga Game reserve. The road clinging to
the valley edge we slowly descended back into
Miombo woodland with extensive views over the back
of the Lugala escarpment of the Kipengere range.
Kimani waterfall
For lunch we headed towards Kimani Waterfall found
further within the Reserve. Down a lonely valley
several streams had to be forded, as we made our way
along another exciting road through Miombo
woodland, which made for satisfying butterfly spotting
including numerous Pearl Charaxes Charaxes varanes
ssp.vologeses. Commonly heard bird calls included that
of the Ring-necked Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove
and Grey-headed Bush-shrike. The road ended at the
edge of the valley where we looked down on a
magnificent stepped waterfall, enveloped in lush vegetation. After taking in the view over
lunch we took a short walk to the base of the waterfall where we came across a Nile Monitor,
well-known to take shelter under rock ledges surrounding the falls, signs of Cape Clawless
Otter, and butterflies including Bush Scarlet Axiocerces amanga, African Line Blue
Pseudonacaduba sichela as well as numerous Charaxes such as Charaxes achaemenes and Charaxes
guderiana. Further birds observed included Eastern Paradise-whydah, Common Swift and Rock
Martin.
We continued on to Kisolanza and arrived in good time for afternoon Tea and cake and
relaxation. Then, another sumptuous meal in the restaurant.
Day 14 – Kisolanza – Mikumi National Park
After another delicious breakfast and some early morning birding we headed off to Mikumi
National Park with a stop at Boabab valley enroute. We arrived in time for a late lunch at
Stanley Kopje’s luxury tented camp which is set up on a granite kopje overlooking the plains of
Mikumi. Most took an afternoon safari with many bird species recorded including Marabou
Stork, Saddlebill, Crowned Lapwing, White-faced Whistling Duck and several species of
Cisticola. The usual game of giraffe, impala, warthog etc were also encountered.
Day 15 – Mikumi National Park - Dar
Most were up early (some really early!) for our last game drive
before heading back to Dar-es-salaam. Sightings were more
impressive than the day before including a pair of black-backed
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Jackal, three lioness relaxing on a river bed, Coke’s Hartebeast and a herd of wildebeest and of
course lots of birds including Ground Hornbill, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Pallid Harrier,
Hadada Ibis and European and Lilac-breasted Rollers and Superb Starlings. After lunch we
made our way back to Dar.
We had been lucky with the weather for the
whole trip but now the heavens opened and it
didn’t stop raining until we reached the outskirts
of Dar. We took a short cut through the back
streets to the Meditterianeo Hotel, avoiding the
busy centre of town and providing good views
over Msasani bay. Back at the hotel we said
goodbye to our wonderful drivers Bahati,
Murshid and Twiga (inset) and enjoyed a final
meal looking out over the Indian Ocean.
Day 16 – Depart for London Heathrow
After breakfast at the airport we departed the warmth of Dar-es-Salaam at 9am arriving in
London Heathrow Terminal 5 on time before 5pm.
Tanzania Systematic Lists 2011
Compiled by Paul Cardy
The Itinerary
February 4th Arrival in Dar es Salaam. Bongoyo Island.
February 5th To Mikumi. To Hondo Hondo, Udzungwa.
February 6th Udzungwa, Sanje Waterfall or HQ area.
February 7th Udzungwa.
February 8th To Baobab Valley. Isimila Stone Age Site. Kisolanza.
February 9th Kisolanza. To Utengule.
February 10th Utengule and Songwe, or Mporoto.
February 11th
Mt. Rungwe.
February 12th Utengule. Towards Kitulo.
February 13th Kitulo Plateau.
.
February 14th
Kitulo Plateau.
February 15th To Kimani Waterfall. To Kisolanza.
February 16th To Mikumi.
February 17th Mikumi. To Dar es Salaam.
February 18th Departure.
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Systematic List Number 1 Mammals
The nomenclature and taxonomic order are taken from ‘The Kingdon Field Guide to African
Mammals’ by Jonathan Kingdon (1997). An indication of abundance is given by the number of
days out 15 seen during the tour e.g. 5/15 means that the species was seen on 5 days out of 15. Iringa Red Colobus Piliocolobus gordonorum Udzungwa, to which endemic. 2/15
Angola Pied Colobus Colobus angolensis Udzungwa and Mt.Rungwe. 3/15
Yellow Baboon Papio cynocephalus Scattered records, e.g. Mikumi and Baobab
Valley. 5/15
Sanje Mangabey Cercocebus sanjei A troop of c.20 at Udzungwa, where endemic,
seen very well. 1/15
Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus aethiops Mikumi etc. 3/15
Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis Udzungwa, Mporoto, and Mt.Rungwe. 4/15
Galago species Galagoides sp. On two nights at Hondo Hondo.
Small-eared Galago Otolemur garnetti 1 in the lodge grounds at night, Mikumi (PGC).
1/15
Singing Fruit Bat Epomops dobsoni Hondo Hondo. 1/15
Fruit Bat sp. Hondo Hondo.
Bat spp. Various insectivorous bats noted.
Tanganyika Mountain Squirrel Paraxerus lucifer Incredibly 2 at Udzungwa were the only
squirrels seen. 2/15
Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas 3 at Mikumi. 1/15
African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis A dead individual seen and sign at Kimani.
Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon Remarkably 1 on day 5 was the only mongoose
seen. 1/15
Lion Panthera leo 3 females at Mikumi. 1/15
Aardvark Orycteropus afer Sign at Mikumi.
Rock Hyrax Procavia johnstoni 1 at Sanje and 1 at Isimila. 2/15
Southern Tree Hyrax Dendrohyrax arboreus Heard at night at Kisolanza.
African Elephant Loxodonta africana Several in Mikumi, and much sign elsewhere.
2/15
Burchell’s Zebra Equus burchelli Several in Mikumi. 3/15
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Several in Mikumi. 3/15
Giraffe Giraffa camelopardis Several in Mikumi. 3/15
African Buffalo Syncerus caffer Numerous at Mikumi. 3/15
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 1 at Mikumi. 1/15
Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia 1 at Mikumi. Also known as Grey Duiker or
Grimm’s Duiker. 1/15
Harvey’s Duiker Cephalophus harveyi 1 in forest near the Udzungwa HQ, on two days
(!), was a good record. 2/15
Impala Aepyceros melampus Numerous at Mikumi. 3/15
Coke’s Hartebeest (Kongoni) Alcelaphus busephalus ssp.cokei. 1 at Mikumi. 1/15 Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Mikumi. 1/15
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Systematic List Number 2 Birds
An indication of abundance is given by the number of days out 15 seen during the tour e.g.
5/15 means that the species was seen on 5 days out of 15.
Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Various wetland records. 5/15
Darter Anhinga melanogaster 1 at Kisolanza reservoir. 1/15
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Only in Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Widespread in small numbers. 7/15
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Singles on 2 days. 2/15
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Widespread and locally common. 5/15
Striated Heron Butorides striatus 1 in Baobab Valley. 1/15
Great Egret Egretta albus Scattered records. 5/15
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Scattered records. 3/15
Dimorphic Egret Egretta dimorpha Several, mostly dark phase birds, on mud
flats at Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Kilombero Valley. 1/15
Hammerkop Scopus umbretta Widespread in small numbers. 5/15
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 3 in Dar es Salaam. 1/15
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus Several records. 4/15
Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii c.40 on first Mikumi visit. 1/15
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Mikumi. 1/15
White Stork Ciconia ciconia 3 near Mbeya. 1/15
Marabou Stork Leptotilus crumeniferus 3+ on second Mikumi visit. 1/15
Saddlebill Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis 1 at Mikumi on both visits. 2/15
Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Numerous on coastal mud flats. 1/15
Hadada Bostrychia hagedash A few at Mikumi. 2/15
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Kilombero valley and Mikumi. 2/15
Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotus 4 at Mikumi. 1/15
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata 4 on Kisolanza reservoir. 1/15
European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus One on 2 days at Udzungwa. 2/15
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Small numbers on 4 days. 4/15
Black Kite Milvus migrans Surprisingly scattered records only. 4/15
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Singletons in Dar es Salaam and Baobab
Valley. 2/15
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis On only 2 days. 2/15
African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus A few at Mikumi. 2/15
Rueppell’s Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppellii Mikumi. 1/15
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus Mikumi. 1/15
Black-breasted Snake-eagle Circaetus pectoralis 1 at Mikumi. 1/15
Brown Snake-eagle Circaetus cinereus Singletons on 2 days. 2/15
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Several at Mikumi. 3/15
Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus Kisolanza and Mikumi. 3/15
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Noted on 3 days. 3/15
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro 1 at Udzungwa. 1/15
Shikra Accipiter badius On 2 days. 2/15
Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo Scattered records. 1/15
Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus 1+ on Kitulo. 1/15
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Augur Buzzard Buteo augur A few on Kitulo. 2/15
African Hawk-eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster 2 at Mikumi. 2/15
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus A pale phase bird over Utengule. 1/15
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Scattered records. 4/15
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Noted on 1 day. 1/15
Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus Mikumi. 1/15
Lanner Falco biarmicus Kisolanza and Kitulo. 2/15
Red-winged Francolin Francolinus levaillantii 3 at Kitulo. 1/15
Hildebrandt’s Francolin Francolinus hildebrandti A male near Hondo Hondo. 1/15
Red-necked Francolin Francolinus afer Kitulo and Mikumi. 3/15
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Heard often at Kitulo.
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Mikumi. 1/15
Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani A few at Udzungwa. 2/15
Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogastor 3 at Mikumi. 1/15
Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis 1 on Kisolanza reservoir. 1/15
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 1 in Kilombero valley. 1/15
Crab Plover Dromas ardeola 40+ on Dar es Salaam mud flats. 1/15
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Heard at Mikumi.
Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus Several at Mikumi. 2/15
Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris Mikumi. 1/15
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 on Dar es Salaam mud flats. 1/15
Common Redshank Tringa totanus Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 at Mikumi. 1/15
Greenshank Tringa nebularia Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Only on the first two days. 2/15
Sanderling Calidris alba Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Little Stint Calidris minuta Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Common on Dar es Salaam mud flats. 1/15
Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini Several at Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus 3+ at Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Lesser Crested Tern Sterna benghalensis Many at Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Dusky Turtle-dove Streptopelia lugens 1+ on Kitulo. 1/15
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Scattered records. 4/15
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Widespread and reasonably common.
7/15
Emerald-spotted Wood-dove Turtur chalcospilos Scattered, often heard. 5/15
Blue-spotted Wood-dove Turtur afer Unzungwa. 1/15
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria Scattered records. 4/15
Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri c.4 in Baobab Valley. 1/15
Livingstone’s Turaco Tauraco livingstonii Mporoto and Rungwe etc. 4/15
Bare-faced Go-away Bird Corythaixoides personatus 1 near Mbeya. 1/15
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Black-and-white Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus Baobab Valley, Kitulo, and Mikumi. 3/15
Levaillant’s Cuckoo Oxylophus levaillantii 1 at Utengule. 1/15
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius Heard often.
African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis 1 in Baobab Valley. 1/15
Klaas’ Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas Heard at widespread sites, and seen at
Hondo Hondo. 5/15
Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius On day 5 and at Mikumi. 2/15
Burchell’s Coucal Centropus burchelli Kilombero valley. 1/15
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Widespread in small numbers. 7/15
Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti 1 at Utengule. 1/15
African Wood Owl Ciccaba woodfordi 1 at start of Sanje walk. 1/15.
Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis Heard at Hondo Hondo.
Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma Heard at Mikumi.
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus Scattered records. 4/15
Common Swift Apus apus Kimani. 1/15
Little Swift Apus affinis Locally common. 5/15
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer Mikumi. 1/15
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Widespread and reasonably common.
10/15
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Baobab Valley. 1/15
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halycon leucocephala Mikumi. 1/15
Woodland Kingfisher Halycon senegalensis Only a few seen. 3/15
Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon senegaloides 1 on Bongoyo Island. 1/15
Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris Scattered records. 4/15
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Near Mikumi and Utengule. 2/15
Giant Kingfisher Ceryle maxima 1 at Udzungwa. 1/15
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Coast and Kilombero valley. 2/15
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Only on three days near the beginning of
the tour, e.g. Hondo Hondo. 3/15
White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis Sanje. 1/15
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Widespread and reasonably common.
7/15
Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus Several en route to Mikumi from the
coast. 1/15
European Roller Coracias garrulus Mikumi. 2/15
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata Scattered records. 4/15
Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus Baobab Valley, Mikumi etc. 3/15
Von der Decken’s Hornbill Tockus deckeni Mikumi. 1/15
Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus Several at Udzungwa. 3/15
African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus Mikumi etc. 3/15
Trumpeter Hornbill Ceratogymna bucinator Several at Mikumi. 4/15
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis Udzungwa and Rungwe. 3/15
Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri 1 at Mikumi. 1/15
Green Barbet Stactolaema olivacea Heard at Udzungwa.
Moustached Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus leucomystax 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Kisolanza and Rungwe. 2/15
Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus 2 in Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lachrymosa 1 at Kisolanza, 1 at Songwe. 2/15
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus Utengule. 2/15
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 2 in Baobab Valley. 1/15
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Eastern Honeybird Prodotiscus zambesiae 2 at Utengule. 1/15. aka Green-backed
Honeyguide.
Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii 2 at Sanje. 1/15
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
Fischer’s Sparrow-lark Eremopterix leucopareia A male near Utengule. 1/15
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola 1 over Kitulo. 1/15
Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula Utengule and Kimani. 4/15
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common and widespread. 12/15
Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis Kisolanza and Utengule area. 3/15
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithi A few records. 2/15
Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea 2 near Kitulo. 1/15
Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica Widespread and reasonably common.
8/15
Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis Kisolanza and Utengule areas. 5/15
White-headed Sawwing Psalidoprocne albiceps Isimila Stone Age site. 1/15
Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne holomelas Mt.Rungwe. 1/15
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Widespread and reasonably common.
9/15
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1 in Baobab Valley. Subspecies? 1/15
Fulleborn’s Longclaw Macronyx fuellebornii 15 + on Kitulo. 2/15
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys A few at Utengule. 3/15
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis 1 on Kitulo. 1/15
Grey Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia Sanje. 1/15
Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava A female at Utengule. 1/15
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Widespread and common in all areas.
14/15
Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus 1 in Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris 1 at Songwe. 1/15
Cabani’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi Udzungwa. 1/15
Grey-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus cerviniventris 1 at lunch site on day 9. 1/15
Eastern Nicator Nicator gularis Sanje. 1/15
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans Kisolanza and Mikumi. 2/15
Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami A few records. 3/15
Black-lored Cisticola Cisticola nigriloris Up to 7 together on Kitulo Plateau. 2/15
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana A few records. 3/15
Churring Cisticola Cisticola njombe Several on Kitulo Plateau. 2/15
Siffling Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus 1 at Mikumi. 1/15
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Kitulo and Kisolanza. 2/15
Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii Kitulo Plateau. 1/15
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Hondo Hondo etc. 3/15
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 2 in Dar es Salaam and 1 at Utengule. 2/15
Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola Isimila and Kisolanza. 2/15
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura 3 at Utengule. 1/15
Cinnamon Bracken Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus 1 on Kitulo Plateau. 1/15
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Heard at Hondo Hondo.
Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocepahlus gracilirostris 1 at Utengule. 1/15
Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Bongoyo Island and on day 5. 2/15
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis 1 at Kisolanza. 1/15
Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii 2+ in Baobab Valley. 1/15
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Baobab Valley and Utengule. 2/15
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Baobab Valley and Utengule. 2/15
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Banded Parisoma Parisoma boehmi A family party at Mikumi on the first visit.
1/15
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Songwe etc. 2/15
African Grey Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus 2 in Baobab Valley. 1/15
White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri A pair with young at Kisolanza. 1/15
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina Utengule. 1/15
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Widespread and reasonably common.
9/15
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta Utengule. 1/15
Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata A male at Utengule. 1/15
Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Heard occasionally.
White-browed Robin-chat Cossypha heuglini Utengule etc. 3/15
Red-capped Robin-chat Cossypha natalensis 1 at Sanje. 1/15
Red-backed Scrub-robin Cercotrichas leucophrys Scattered records, e.g. Kisolanza. 3/15
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 at Kitulo. 1/15
African Stonechat Saxicola torquata Scattered records. 4/15
Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris 2 at Utengule. 1/15
Cliff Chat Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris 1 at Isimila Stone Age site. 1/15
Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata A pair on Bongoyo Island. 1/15
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor A female at Utengule. 1/15
Livingstone’s Flycatcher Erythrocercus livingstonei 4+ at Sanje. 1/15
African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Widespread and reasonably common.
8/15
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Mikumi. 1/15
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris Widespread and reasonably common.
9/15
Eastern Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea Sanje. 1/15
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Scattered records. 4/15
Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis A female at Utengule. 1/15
Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa Common on Kitulo Plateau. 2/15
Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus A male in Baobab Valley. 1/15
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus Kisolanza and Utengule. 2/15
Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Kisolanza and Utengule areas. 3/15
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Immatures at Hondo Hondo and
Utengule. 2/15
Long-tailed Fiscal Lanius cabanisi Common at Mikumi. 2/15
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris Utengule area. 1/15
Northern Puff-back Dryoscopus gambensis Widespread in small numbers. 8/15
Marsh Tchagra Tchagra minutus Kilombero valley. 1/15
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus Widespread in small numbers. 6/15
Fulleborn’s Black Boubou Laniarius fuelleborni Heard at Mporoto.
Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus sulfureopectus On 2 days at Utengule. 2/15
Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii Several at Udzungwa. 2/15
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Scattered records. 4/15
House Crow Corvus splendens Introduced and numerous along the coast
but also seen near Mikumi town. 7/15
Pied Crow Corvus alba Widespread and locally numerous. 13/15
White-naped Raven Corvus albicollis Scattered records, e.g. Baobab Valley and
Kitulo. 3/15
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Udzungwa. 1/15
Southern Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis elisabeth 1 at Utengule. 2/15
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Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus Mikumi. 2/15
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster A male in Dar es Salaam, a pair at
Utengule. 2/15
Ashy Starling Spreo unicolor Several in Baobab Valley, also near
Mbeya. 3/15
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio 2 at Songwe. 1/15
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus Mikumi. 1/15
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus Mikumi, on buffalo. 1/15
White-browed Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser mahali Mikumi. 3/15
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht 1 at Utengule. 1/15
Bertram’s Weaver Ploceus bertrandi A pair at Utengule. 1/15
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius Scattered records. 4/15
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Udzungwa. 3/15
African Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus Scattered records. 3/15
Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus Hondo Hondo. 1/15
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Dar es Salaam etc. 3/15
Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus jacksoni Baobab Valley and Kitulo road. 2/15
Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor Udzungwa. 2/15
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps Utengule area. 3/15
Cardinal Quelea Quelea cardinalis Kimani road. 1/15
Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus Hondo Hondo. 2/15
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix Hondo Hondo. 3/15
Zanzibar Red Bishop Euplectes nigroventris Numerous at Hondo Hondo and in
Kilombero valley. 4/15
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis Scattered records. 4/15
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Hondo Hondo and Kilombero valley. 3/15
White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus Kisolanza area etc. 4/15
Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens Nesting at Utengule. 2/15
Montane Marsh Widowbird Euplectes psammocromius Several seen well on Kitulo Plateau. 2/15
Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons A male near Hondo Hondo. 1/15
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba A few at Utengule. 2/15
Peter’s Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus 1 at Utengule. 1/15
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Widespread. 7/15
Jameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia Utengule. 2/15
Southern Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus angolensis Mikumi. 1/15
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus Kisolanza. 1/15
Blue-capped Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus cyanocephalus Several in Dar es Salaam. 1/15
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia Utengule. 1/15
Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola Kitulo Plateau. 1/15
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Scattered records. 3/15
Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata Widespread. 11/15
Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchura bicolor Utengule. 2/15
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Widespread in small numbers. 7/15
Eastern Paradise-whydah Vidua paradisaea Kimani. 1/15
Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah Vidua obtusa Baobab Valley. 1/15
Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 1 at Songwe. 1/15
Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex Kitulo Plateau. 1/15
Southern Citril Serinus hypostictus Scattered records, e.g. Kitulo. 4/15
Reichenow’s Seedeater Serinus reichenowi Kilombero valley. 1/15
Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Widespread and reasonably common.
9/15
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Reichard’s Seedeater Serinus reichardi Scattered records, e.g. Kisolanza. 3/15
Yellow-browed Seedeater Serinus whytii Singletons on Mt.Rungwe and Kitulo
Plateau. 2/15
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Dar es Salaam, and Mikumi. 4/15
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Widespread. 7/15
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Systematic List Number 3 Amphibians and Reptiles
Bell’s Hinged Tortoise Kinixys belliana This was probably the species seen at
Udzungwa
Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia Common around habitation.
Tree Gecko Hemidactylus platycephalus Sanje.
Yellow-headed Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus luteopicturatus At the hotel in Dar es Salaam
Ukinga Mountain Skink Mabuya brauni 1 on Kitulo Plateau.
Striped Skink Mabuya striata Mikumi.
Coral Rag Skink Cryptoblepharus boutonii Bongoyo Island.
Skink spp. Other species seen, e.g. Kisolanza.
Great Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus major 1 at Songwe.
Red-headed Rock Agama Agama agama Kisolanza and Utengule.
Goetze’s Chameleon Chamaeleo goetzei Nominate subspecies endemic. 1 on
Kitulo.
Tubercle-nosed Chameleon Chamaeleo tempeli A restricted range Tanzania endemic. 1
at Kisolanza.
Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis 1 seen crossing the road near Kimani
junction.
Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus Bongoyo Island and Mikumi.
Snake sp. Seen briefly near the Udzungwa HQ.
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Systematic List Number 4 Butterflies
Taxonomy generally follows ‘Butterflies of Tanzania’ by Jan Kielland, 1990. Rather easier to
work with, and illustrating more species, is ‘The Butterflies of Kenya’ by Torben B.Larsen. Also
invaluable were the Afrotropical volume of Seitz ‘Macrolepidoptera of the World’, ‘Carcasson’s
African Butterflies’ and various monographs on genera such as Charaxes, Euphaedra, and
Bebearia, used to determine distribution, nomenclature and identification.
PAPILIONOIDEA
Papilionidae
Papilioninae Papilio dardanus ssp.tibullus Mocker Swallowtail
Udzungwa.
Papilio phorcas ssp.nyikanus Apple Green Swallowtail
Mikumi.
Papilio pelodurus Eastern Black and Yellow Swallowtail
1 at Sanje.
Papilio hornimani ssp. Horniman’s Swallowtail
mwanihanae Prince Bernhard Falls.
Papilio desmondi ssp. Desmond’s Green-banded Swallowtail
usambarensis Sanje and Rungwe.
Papilio nireus ssp.lyaeus Narrow-banded Green Swallowtail
Several at Mikumi.
Papilio ophidocephalus Emperor Swallowtail
En route to Kisolanza, and at Rungwe.
Papilio demodocus Citrus Swallowtail
Widespread and common.
Papilio echerioides White-banded Swallowtail
A female at Rungwe camp.
Graphium taboranus Tabora Swallowtail
Noted on Day 5.
Graphium leonidas Veined Swordtail
Scattered records. Mikumi and Sanje.
Graphium policenes Common Striped Swordtail
Many at Mikumi.
Graphium polistratus Dancing Swordtail
Sanje.
Graphium antheus Large Striped Swordtail
Common at Sanje.
Pieridae
Coliadinae Catopsilia florella African Emigrant
Widespread and common.
Colias electo ssp.pseudohecate African Clouded Yellow
A few at Kitulo.
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Eurema senegalensis Forest Grass Yellow
Several in forests, e.g. Sanje.
Eurema hecabe ssp.solifera Common Grass Yellow
Widespread and common.
Eurema brigitta Small Grass Yellow
Mikumi.
Eurema upembana a grass yellow
Kitulo.
Pierinae Pinacopteryx eriphia Zebra White
Scattered records.
Nepheronia thalassina Cambridge Vagrant
Udzungwa etc.
Eronia cleodora Vine Leaf Vagrant
Mikumi.
Colotis amata ssp.calais Small Salmon Arab
Bongoyo Island and Baobab Valley.
Colotis aurigineus African Golden Arab
Baobab Valley.
Colotis ione Purple Tip
Baobab Valley.
Colotis auxo ssp.incretus Yellow Orange Tip
Lower Kitulo Road.
Colotis antevippe Large Orange Tip
Mikumi.
Colotis evenina an orange-tip
Baobab Valley etc.
Colotis euippe ssp.omphale Round-winged Orange-tip
Bongoyo Island.
Colotis evagore ssp.antigone Tiny Orange Tip
Many at Mikumi, also in Baobab Valley.
Belenois aurota Caper White
Widespread and abundant.
Belenois creona African Caper White
Widerspread and very common.
Belenois gidica Pointed Caper White
Locally common.
Belenois calypso ssp.shaba Calypso Caper White
Several at Kimani.
Dixeia pigea Antheap White
Kimani.
Appias phaola ssp.isokani Dirty Albatross
This species in Baobab Valley?
Mylothris agathina Eastern Dotted Border
Scattered records.
Mylothris rueppellii Ruppell’s Dotted Border
Utengule
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Lycaenidae
Lipteninae Pentila pauli ssp.nyassana Paul’s Pentila
Sanje.
Pentilsa rogersi ssp.parapetreia Roger’s Pentila
Sanje.
Theclinae Axiocerces amanga Bush Scarlet
Kimani.
Axiocerces tjoane Eastern Scarlet
Mikumi.
Hemiolaus caeculus Azure Hairstreak
A colony at Songwe Bat Caves.
Hypolycaena philippus Common Hairstreak
Hondo Hondo.
Hypolycaena pachalica Coast Hairstreak
Numerous in Baobab Valley.
Hypolycaena buxtoni Buxton’s Hairstreak
Sanje.
Deudorix dinochares Apricot Playboy
Recorded.
Lycaeniinae Lycaena abbotti African Small Copper
1 at Kitulo.
Polyommatinae Anthene liodes Light Ciliate Blue
Sanje.
Anthene amarah Leaden Ciliate Blue
Mikumi etc.
Anthene lunulata Red-spot Ciliate Blue
Isimila.
Anthene larydas Common Ciliate Blue
Udzungwa.
Pseudonacaduba sichela African Line Blue
Several at Kimani.
Lampides boeticus Long-tailed Blue
1 at Kimani.
Cacyreus palemon Water Geranium Blue
Associated with geraniums at Kitulo.
Harpendyreus marungensis Central Mountain Blue
Several at Kitulo.
Leptotes spp. Widespread. Genitalia dissection necessary for positive ID. The
following species occur.
Leptotes pirithous Common Zebra Blue
Leptotes babaulti Babault’s Zebra Blue
Leptotes jeanneli Jeannel’s Zebra Blue
Leptotes marginalis Black-bordered Zebra Blue
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Leptotes brevidentatus Tite’s Zebra Blue
Leptotes pulchra Beautiful Zebra Blue
Tuxentius calice a pierrot
Kimani Falls.
Eicochrysops messapus ssp. a cupid
mahallakoena Kitulo.
Cupidopsis cissus Meadow Blue
Kimani.
Euchrysops malathana Smoky Bean Cupid
Scattered records.
Lepidochrysops peculiaris Peculiar Giant Cupid
This superb species at Mikumi.
Oboronia bueronica a ginger white
A colony at Sanje Waterfall.
Azanus natalensis Natal Babul Blue
Hondo Hondo etc.
Zizeeria knysna African Grass Blue
Scattered records.
Zizina antanossa Dark Grass Blue
Mikumi etc.
Zizula hylax Tiny Grass Blue
Scattered records.
Nymphalidae
Danainae Danaus chrysippus Common Tiger
Widespread and common.
Tirumala petiverana African Blue Tiger
1 at Mikumi.
Amauris niavius ssp. Friar
dominicanus Sanje.
Satyrinae Melanitis leda ssp.africana Common Evening Brown
Hondo Hondo.
Bicyclus kiellandi Kielland’s Bush Brown
Hondo Hondo camp. Endemic.
Bicyclus angulosus ssp.selousi Angular Bush Brown
Sanje.
Bicyclus safitza Common Savannah Bush Brown
Widespread in savannah and disturbed areas of the forest zone.
Henotesia ubenica a patroller
Mt.Rungwe.
Ypthima sp. a ringlet
Kisolanza. Dissection necessary for positive identification.
Neocoenyra gregorii This species at Kisolanza?
Neocoenyra petersi Rather common on Kitulo, where endemic.
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Charaxinae Charaxes varanes ssp.vologeses Pearl Charaxes
Kimani track and Mikumi.
Charaxes acuminatus Mountain Pearl Charaxes
Rungwe.
Charaxes saturnus Foxy Charaxes
Baobab Valley, Kimani, and Mikumi.
Charaxes brutus White-barred Charaxes
Hondo Hondo.
Charaxes achaemenes Bush Charaxes
Kimani.
Charaxes guderiana a black charaxes
A male and female at Kimani.
Euxanthe wakefieldi Forest Queen
Hondo Hondo.
Nymphalinae Precis antilope Darker Commodore
Sanje and Kimani.
Precis archesia Garden Inspector
1 at Kimani.
Hypolimnas misippus Diadem
Hondo Hondo etc.
Protogoniomorpha temora Blue Mother-of-Pearl
Sanje and elsewhere at Udzungwa.
Protogoniomorpha parhassus Forest Mother-of-Pearl
Sanje and elsewhere at Udzungwa.
Protogoniomorpha anacardii Clouded Mother-of-Pearl
Mikumi.
Junonia orithya Blue Pansy
ssp.madagascariensis Kimani.
Junonia oenone Dark Blue Pansy
Scattered records.
Junonia hierta Yellow Pansy
Widespread in small numbers.
Junonia natalica Natal Pansy
Kimani.
Junonia sophia Little Commodore
Utengule.
Junonia terea ssp.elgiva Soldier Pansy
Udzungwa.
Catacroptera cloanthe Pirate
1 at Kimani.
Byblia anvatara ssp.crameri African Joker
Sanje etc.
Byblia ilithyia The Joker
Mikumi etc.
Neptidopsis ophione ssp.velleda Scalloped Sailor
Sanje.
Eurytela dryope ssp.angulata Golden Piper
Sanje.
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Eurytela hiarbas ssp.lita Pied Piper
Songwe.
Sevenia amulia ssp.rosa Lilac Tree Nymph
Limenitinae Cymothoe coranus Blonde Glider
A female at Sanje.
Pseudacraea dolomena ssp. a false acraea
usagara Sanje.
Pseudacraea boisduvalii ssp. Boisduval’s False Acraea
trimeni Sanje.
Pseudacraea lucretia False Diadem
Sanje.
Neptis saclava Small Spotted Sailor
Sanje.
Neptis carcassoni Carcasson’s Streaked Sailer
Sanje.
Catuna sikorana a pathfinder
A few at Sanje.
Hamanumida daedalus Guineafowl
Hondo Hondo etc.
Aterica galene ssp.theophanes Forest Glade Nymph
A few at Sanje.
Bebearia orientis a spectre
Sanje.
Euphaedra crawshayi a forester
Sanje. Two white bars on forewing.
Euphaedra neophron Gold-banded Forester
Locally common.
Heliconiinae Acraea pharsalus Pharsalus Acraea
Scattered records.
Acraea serena Small Orange Acraea
Hondo Hondo. Previously known as A.eponina.
Acraea egina ssp.areca Elegant Acraea
Mikumi.
Acraea natalica Natal Acraea
Widespread.
Acraea rabbiae Clear Wing Acraea
Bongoyo Island.
Acraea quirina Common Glassy Acraea
1 at Sanje.
Acraea neobule Wandering Donkey
Hondo Hondo and Mikumi.
Lachnoptera iole ssp.ayresi Eastern Blotched Leopard
A male at Kimani.
Phalanta phalantha Common Leopard Fritillary
Widespread.
Phalanta eurytis African Leopard Fritillary
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Scattered records.
Issoria smaragdifera ssp.reducta a fritillary
1 on Kitulo.
HESPERIOIDEA
Hesperiidae Coeliadinae Coeliades forestan Striped Policeman
Udzungwa etc.
Pyrginae Tagiades flesus Clouded Flat
Scattered records.
Leucochitonia amneris Several mud puddling in Baobab Valley. An impressive endemic
species.
Spialia dromus Dromus Grizzled Skipper
Hondo Hondo.
Hesperiinae Metisella orientalis a sylph
Kisolanza Dam.
Ampittia capenas African Bush Hopper
Hondo Hondo.
Gorgyra subflavidus Sanje.
Teniorhinus harona Kimani.
Andronymus neander Common Dart
Hondo Hondo, where numerous, and Mikumi.
Platylesches picanini a hopper
Utengule.
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Systematic List Number 5 Plants
Regrettably this list is much more patchy than is usual for a Greentours plant list. Several books
were used in the field, and later in compiling the list, but the absence of a usable field guide, or
comprehensive monographs, made identification of many species impossible.
Gymnosperms
Pinaceae Pinus patula
Angiosperms
Monocotyledons
Amaryllidaceae Crinum papillosum This species at Isimila?
Scadoxus spp. Fire-ball Lily. In fruit.
Anthericaceae Chlorophytum affine Kitulo Plateau
Chlorophytum spp. Several others were unidentified
Asparagaceae Asparagus spp.
Asphodelaceae Aloe nuttii Kitulo Plateau
Aloe spp. Others not identified
Bulbine abyssinica Kitulo Plateau, yellow flowered, with densely bearded filaments
Bulbine sp. Isimila Stone Age site
Kniphofia goetzei a red hot poker. In marshes, Kitulo Plateau.
Kniphofia grantii a red hot poker. In shorter grassland on Kitulo Plateau.
Kniphofia sp. Another species present on Kitulo Plateau.
Colchicaceae Gloriosa superba Flame Lily. Widespread and reasonably common in various
forms.
Gloriosa minor Isimila Stone Age site.
Commelinaceae Commelina africana Flowers yellow. Kitulo Plateau.
Commelina kituloensis Kitulo, larger yellow flowers.
Commelina latifolia Mporoto and Mt.Rungwe
Cyanotis speciosa Common on Kitulo Plateau
Cyperaceae Ascolepis capensis Kitulo Plateau
Cyperus spp. Many species were unidentified
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Hyacinthaceae Albuca are Ornithogalum like and sometimes included in that genus. They differ in erect inner tepals, with
at least the inner filaments pinched below.
Albuca abyssinica Several on Kitulo Plateau
Hypoxidaceae Hypoxis angustifolia Kitulo Plateau
Iridaceae Crocosmia aurea Montbretia. Mporoto and Mt.Rungwe.
Dierama pendulum Kitulo Plateau
Gladiolus has leaves usually with a definite midrib, inflorescence a spike of usually zygomorphic flowers.
Gladiolus dalenii Kitulo Plateau and 1 in Songwe grassland. Also roadsides
elsewhere.
Gladiolus unguiculatus 4 on Kitulo Plateau
Moraea have either iris-like flowers with unequal tepals, or with all tepals more or less equal.
Moraea schimperi A few in flower on Kitulo Plateau. Purple flowers.
Moraea tanzanica Locally common on Kitulo Plateau. Yellow flowers.
Romulea are often acaulescent, with actinomorphic flowers.
Romulea campanuloides Kitulo Plateau, 1
Orchidaceae Still trying to obtain a copy of Orchids of Malawi. The Kenya and South African Orchid books were of
some use, photos please of as yet unidentified species!
Calanthe sylvatica Mporoto and Mt.Rungwe.
Cynorkis anacamptoides Kitulo Plateau
Cynorkis sp. White flowers, Kitulo Plateau
Disa stolzii Kitulo Plateau
Disa ukingensis Several on Kitulo Plateau
Disa sp. Large purple flowers, Kitulo road.
Eulophia clavicornis ssp.nutans Kitulo Plateau
Eulophia ovalis 1, Kitulo Plateau
Eulophia shupargae Kitulo Plateau, 1, deep purple flowers.
Eulophia sp.1 Kitulo Plateau
Eulophia sp.2 Kitulo Plateau
Habenaria cornuta This seems to be the species with long filiform petal lobes in
marshy grassland on Kitulo Plateau.
Habenaria occlusa Kitulo Plateau
Habenaria xanthochlora Kitulo Plateau
Habenaria sp.1 Small white flowers with brown markings, Sanje Waterfall.
Habenaria sp.2 Small species near Protea, Kitulo Plateau.
Habenaria spp. Others seen too.
Holothrix nyasae Plant hairy. Kitulo Plateau.
Polystachya meliodora Two of this impressive saprophyte was a very good find at
Sanje, Udzungwa.
Satyrium acutirostrum Kitulo Plateau
Satyrium johnstonii Kitulo Plateau
Satyrium longicauda Kitulo Plateau
Satyrium neglectum ssp.brevicalcar Kitulo Plateau
Satyrium sphaeranthum Kitulo Plateau
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Satyrium sp.1 Small white flowers, c.40 cm tall, Kitulo road woodland.
Satyrium sp.2 Flowers pale pink. Kitulo Plateau.
Satyrium sp.3 Red flowers, labellum trifurcate. Kitulo Plateau.
Schizochilus sulphureus Kitulo Plateau
Poaceae Sinarundinaria alpina African Alpine Bamboo. Kitulo and Mporoto.
Xyridaceae Xyris obscura Kitulo Plateau
Zingiberaceae Siphonochilus ?rosea Udzungwa and Mikumi. Possibly more trhan one species seen.
Dicotyledons
Acanthaceae Justicia betonica Kisolanza
Justicia spp. Several others seen
Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan
Thunbergia gregorii Striking orange flowers, road to Kitulo Plateau.
Thunbergia sp. Blue flowers, Songwe.
Amaranthaceae Centemopsis gracilenta/kirkii
Anacardiaceae Sclerocarya birrea Sanje
Annonaceae Annona senegalensis Sanje
Apiaceae Alepidia peduncularis Common on Kitulo Plateau
Alepidia synnertonii This species also on Kitulo Plateau?
Pimpinella caffra ssp.conopodioides Several on Kitulo Plateau
Apocynaceae (includes Asclepiadaceae)
Calotropis gigantea Dar es Salaam etc.
Ceropegia sp. Road to Kitulo
Funtumia africana
Nerium oleander Naturalised
Plumeria sp. Frangipani
Tabernaemontana elegans
Tabernaemontana pachysiphon Tree with scented rotate flowers, Sanje
Thevetia peruviana Naturalised
Xysmalobium undulatum Kitulo road
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Asteraceae Aspilia mossambicensis Isimila, this species?
Aster tansaniensis Kitulo Plateau
Berkheya echinacea ssp.polyacantha Kitulo Plateau
Cirsium buchwaldii Marshes on Kitulo Plateau
Echinops sp., Very large flower heads. Kitulo Plateau.
Emilia javanica Widespread and reasonably common
Emilia tenera Kitulo Plateau
Erythrocephalum longifolium Mikumi
Gerbera viridiflora Kitulo Plateau?
Gymnodiscus capillaris Small yellow flowered annual. Cape Point.
Haplocarpha thunbergii Kitulo Plateau
Helichrysum forskahlii Kitulo Plateau
Helichrysum herbaceum Kitulo Plateau
Helichrysum nitens Kitulo Plateau
Helichrysum tillandsifolium Kitulo Plateau
Inula stolzii Kitulo Plateau
Senecio purpureus Kitulo Plateau
Tridax procumbens Widespread and locally common
Vernonia sp. Kitulo
Balsaminaceae Impatiens assurgens Mt.Rungwe
Impatiens austrotanzanica Mporoto and Mt.Rungwe
Impatiens confusa Mt.Rungwe
Impatiens gomphophylla Kitulo Plateau
Impatiens polyantha Kitulo Plateau
Impatiens rosulata Numerous on Kitulo Plateau
Impatiens walleri Udzungwa
Begoniaceae Begonia meyeri-johannis Mporoto and Mt.Rungwe
Begonia sutherlandii Mporoto, orange flowers
Begonia sp. Small spotted leaves, Sanje waterfall
Bignoniaceae Kigelia africana Sausage Tree
Bombacaceae Adansonia digitata Baobab
Bombax rhodognathon
Boraginaceae Cynoglossum amplifolium Kitulo Plateau
Cynoglossum sp. Kitulo Plateau
Heliotropium sp.
Campanulaceae Cyphia are erect or twining herbs with white to purple flowers, equally five lobed or two lipped, and split
down the side.
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Cyphia sp. Kitulo Plateau, by the small waterfall. Twining, blue flowers.
Lobelia angolensis Numerous on Kitulo Plateau, white flowers
Lobelia mildbraedii Kitulo Plateau, some fine examples
Wahlenbergia abyssinica Kitulo Plateau
Wahlenbergia capillacea ssp.tenuior Kitulo Plateau
Capparidaceae Cleome hirta Baobab Valley
Caryophyllaceae Cerastium sp. Small white flowers by small waterfall, Kitulo
Silene burchallii Kitulo Plateau
Stellaria sp. Small white flowers, Kitulo
Chrysobalanaceae Parinari excelsa Pale leaved trees on Udzungwa slopes
Combretaceae Combretum molle Sanje
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea spp. Several seen
Crassulaceae Crassula alba Kitulo Plateau, mostly red flowered
Crassula vaginata Kitulo Plateau
Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum stuhlmannii Sanje
Dipsacaceae Cephalaria goetzei Kitulo Plateau
Cephalaria pungens Common on Kitulo Plateau
Droseraceae Drosera madagascariensis Kitulo Plateau
Ericaceae Erica kingaensis Kitulo Plateau
Erica silvatica Kitulo Plateau
Erica whyteana Kitulo lunch site 1
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia candelabrum
Euphorbia quadrangularis
Euphorbia tirucali
Euphorbia spp. Songwe, etc
Macaranga capensis Mt.Rungwe
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Fabaceae
Acacia drepanolobium Whistling Acacia
Acacia polyacantha Sanje
Afzelia quanzensis Pod Mahogany
Albizia gummifera
Cassia abbreviata ssp.beareana
Cassia mimosoides Kitulo road
Clitoria ternatea Kimani road
Crotalaria spp. Several unidentified
Dalbergia melanoxylon
Dichrostachys cinerea Isimila
Erythrina lysistemon
Indigofera spp.
Lotus spp.
Parkia filicoidea
Psoralea foliosa Kitulo Plateau
Pterocarpus indicus
Senna didymobotra Naturalised
Trifolium wentzelianum ssp.stolzii Kitulo Plateau
Tylosoma fassoglensis Previously known as Bauhinia fassoglensis. Roadsides lower
down.
Gentianaceae
Sebaea longicaulis Kitulo Plateau
Geraniaceae
Geranium incanum Numerous on Kitulo Plateau
Gesneriaceae
Saintpaulia sp. One in flower by Sanje waterfall
Streptocarpus sp. Mporoto
Gunneraceae
Gunnera perpensa Kitulo Plateau
Hypericaceae
Hypericum sp.
Lamiaceae
Plectranthus schizophyllus Kitulo, blue flowers
Linaceae Linum volkensii Kitulo Plateau
Malvaceae Hibiscus vitifolius Scattered
Melastomataceae Dissotis canescens
Others species present too
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Moraceae Antiaris toxicaria Udzungwa
Ficus spp. Widespread
Milicia excelsa Udzungwa
Myrtaceae Callistemon rigidus Naturalised
Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea sp. Naturalised
Onagraceae Epilobium salignum Kitulo Plateau
Oxalidaceae Biophytum ?sensitivum This species lower Kitulo road?
Oxalis corniculata Weed!
Oxalis obliquifolia Kitulo Plateau, pink flowers
Pedaliaceae Sesamum angolense Widespread
Sesamum angustifolium Lower Kitulo road
Piperaceae Piper capense Udzungwa
Polygalaceae Polygala sp. Kimani track
Polygonaceae Polygonum sp. Small, Kitulo Plateau.
Proteaceae Protea are shrubs or small trees, with flowers in terminal heads, surrounded by large colourful bracts.
Protea humifusa Kisolanza
Protea heckmanniana Kitulo
Ranunculaceae Clematopsis uhehensis Kitulo Plateau
Delphinium leroyi Kitulo Plateau
Ranunculus multifidis Kitulo Plateau
Thalictrum sp. Mt.Rungwe
Rhamnaceae Phylica emirnensis Kitulo Plateau
Rosaceae Rubus porotoensis Mt.Rungwe
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Rubiaceae Pentas purpurea Kitulo Plateau
Pentas bussei Scattered records
Pentas decora Several on Kitulo Plateau
Galium bussei Kitulo Plateau, resembles Lady’s Bedstraw, Galium verum
Galium sp.
Scrophulariaceae Buchnera cryptocephala Kitulo Plateau
Cycnium sp. Day 7
Gerardiina angolensis Kitulo Plateau
Hebenstretia have sessile flowers in dense spikes, white usually with orange fleck at the base of petals.
Hebenstretia angolensis Kitulo Plateau
Sopuba manii Common on Kitulo, pink flowers
Veronica sp. Road to Kitulo
Solanaceae Solanum spp. Many seen
Sterculiaceae Sterculia appendiculata
Sterculia quinquefolia Tree. Sanje.
Strychnaceae Strychnos madagascariensis Kisolanza
Tiliaceae Corchoros olitorius Widespread. Yellow flowered shrub.
Turneraceae Tricliceras sp. Mikumi, yellow flowers
Valerianaceae Valeriana capensis Kitulo Plateau
Verbenaceae Lantana camara Naturalised
Lippia ukambensis
Tectona grandis Teak. Planted.
Vitex doniana Sanje
Vitex mossambicensis
Violaceae Viola abyssinica Kitulo Plateau
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Woody Plants, Shrubs & Climbers
The following list is from Rhoddy Wood and may contain some overlap to the above list,
however I’ve kept it separate as it concentrates on the woody plants and climbers and has useful
identification hints.
Common
Name
Flower
colour Field Features Location Form Origin
Thunbergia Blue Trumpet with yellow throat Dar Shrub Exotic
Blue, yel
centre
Trumpet yellw inside, curved
throat white Bat caves Shrub Indigenous
White
Pink buds, tubes 2 excerted
stamens curled fo 8 shape Kimani Falls Shrub Indigenous
Marula
Dark heavy crown , dappled
bark Mikumbi + Tree Indigenous
Custard
Apple
Heart shaped fruit with
rounded spikes Udzungwa Tree C. America
Ashok,
Indian mast
tree
Narrowly erect, short
drooping branches, wavy
narrow leaves Dar Tree Sri Lanka
Poison
Arrow Tree
Fruit red-
black Scraggy bush, fissured bark Udzungwa Tree Indigenous
Oleander
Pink or
white Dar Shrub Med
Frangipani
White,pink
or yellow
Fragrant, flat top, succulent
stems Dar Shrub Pacific
Wild
magnolia White Leaves large, dark, glossy Udzungwa Tree Indigenous
Yellow
willow Yellow
Trumpet flowers, narrow
leaves Dar Shrub
Trop
America
Dead Sea
Fruit
White/Purpl
e
Fruits large, light & prickly
with small seeds inside Dar Shrub Indigenous
Jacaranda Violet Mostly flowers on bare wood Dar Tree
Trop
America
Sausage tree Red Flowers overnight for bats Utengele Tree Indigenous
Golden bean
tree Yellow
Trumpet flowers, lower 3
petals with red stripes
Rd W of
Makambako
+ Tree Indigenous
Zimbabwe
creeper Pink
Utengele
garden
Creepe
r Zimbabwe?
African Tulip
Tree Orange red
Frilly petals edged in yellow
in clusters Iringa Tree Indigenous
Yellow elder Yellow Bunches tubular flowers Dar Tree Mexico
Baobab Swollen trunk
Baobab
Valley + Tree Indigenous
Geiger Tree Orange Large flat heads on small tree Dar Tree Exotic
Oval orange/red fruit,
pinnate leaves Mikumbi Shrub Indigenous
Pod
mahogany
Large black seeds, red/yellow
arils Udzungwa Tree Indigenous
Sprawling Yellow Trailing or climbing Mikumbi + Shrub Indigenous
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Bauhinia
Coffee neet's
foot White, red stamens
Rd W of
Makambako
+ Shrub Indigenous
Orchid Tree,
Camel's foot Pink Leaves two rounded lobes Dar Tree Exotic
Blue leaved
brachystegia New leaves flush red
Rd to Kitulo
+ Tree Indigenous
White/yello
w Long protruding red stamens
Rd to Kitulo
+ Tree Indigenous
Flamboyant,
Flame Tree Red Flat topped, bipinnate leaves Dar Tree Madagascar
Pink
As D.regia but pink, 1 petal
marked, 4plain no
claw,scrubby
Baobab
Valley Shrub
Monkey
Bread Tree Whiteish
Bilobed leaves, backs of flwrs
velvety brown hairs
Utengele
garden Tree Indigenous
Wild Teak Yellow
Seed case circular wing,
bristles centre Udzungwa Tree Indigenous
Candle bush Yellow
Opens from bottom, buds
blackish Mbeya Shrub Indigenous
Blackwood Yellow
Flower heads irregularly
distributed Roadsides Tree SE Asia
Yellow
Candles cover tree neatly and
evenly Mbeya Tree
Trop
America
Paw paw White
Single stem, fruit & leaves
clustered at top Dar Tree
Trop
America
Casurina,
whistling
pine Evergreen, cone-like fruit Dar Tree Indigenous
Forest bush
willow Cream
Yg leaves v. white
variegated, pendent, dark Rd to Kitulo Tree Indigenous
White seed cases Ismilia Shrub Indigenous
Pinky/brown seed cases
Rd to Kitulo
opp campsite Shrub Indigenous
Sea almond
Horizontal branches, old
leaves red, fruit velvety Dar Tree
Madagascar
India
Broad leaved
croton Cream Long upward growing spikes Kizolanza Tree Indigenous
spikes green toothed cups,
brown centres Udzungwa + Shrub Indigenous
Candelabra
euphorbia
Steeply risng succulent
branches Dar + Tree Indigenous
Finger
euphorbia
Dense masses of thin
succulent branches
Dar,
Udzungwa Shrub Indigenous
Castor oil
plant Purplish
Large palmate, deeply cut
leaves Dar, Shrub Indigenous
Micky Mouse
Plant
Purple,
yellow
In spikes, calyx & corolla
flattened transversely
Rd to Kitulo
opp campsite Shrub Indigenous
Mistletoe Yellow Orange tip, splitting Kizolanza
Parasit
e Indigenous
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Mistletoe Red Black tip, splitting
Kizolanza
Lake
Parasit
e Indigenous
White
Base&tipof bud black rest
green not parasitic unless on
root Rd to Kitulo Shrub Indigenous
Red/yellow
4 Red petals fimbriated from
base + 1 hooded & fim at top
Rd Kimani
Falls, lower
Climbe
r Indigenous
Rose of China Many Prominent central column Dar Shrub China
Yellow, puple centre Udzungwa Shrub Indigenous
Wild cotton
tree Yel fading red
Bat caves &
Rd to Kimani Shrub Indigenous
Neem White
Large sprays of tiny trumpet
flowers, leaves pinnate Dar Tree Asia
Persian Bead
Tree Purple Persistent strings brown fruits
Campsite rd
to Kitulo Tree Asia
Whistling
acacia White Spine bases swollen Ismilia Shrub Indigenous
Black Wattle Yellow
flowers in balls all over tree,
leaflets 4cm Roadsides Tree Australia
White
spikes Tall, pale trees
Utengele
garden + Tree Indigenous
White
Spikes at different
angles,greener & less flat
topped than A. polyacantha
Baobab
Valley Tree Indigenous
White flower balls, flat topped
Baobab
Valley Tree Indigenous
Long podded
albizia Cream
Brown fruit mixes with cream
flowers Makambako Tree Indigenous
Sickle Bush
Pink/yello
w
Top 1/2 fl spike pink, bottom
yellow Ismilia Shrub Indigenous
Large asymetric leaves, many
seedlings
Udzungwa
Lodge Tree Indigenous
Breadfruit
Palmately lobed leaves to 60
cm, rich green Dar Tree
Indo-
Malaysia
Straight trunk twists to flat
crown Udzungwa Tree Indigenous
Banana Dar Herb Exotic
Java Plum
Fruit
purple On road from Lodge Udzungwa Tree Asia
Bourganvillea Many Brightly coloured bracts Dar
Climbe
r Pacific
Wing leaved
wooden pear
Small leaves, horizontal
branches Island & Dar Tree Indigenous
Borassus
palm Fan palm Dar Tree Indigenous
Screw Pine
Narrow leaves round twisty
stems, stilt roots Dar Tree Indigenous
White
Buds dark, leaves bipinnate,
dark hairyall over Utengele Tree
Coral Vine Pink Invasive scrambler to 40', long Dar Climbe Mexico
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racemes, tendrils r
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White/
pink Kizolanza Shrub S Africa
White/pin
k Similar leaves to Kizangola sp Kitulo Shrub Indigenous
Hagenia
Pink or
white
Lvs bright large pinnate
floppy ,red grooved rachis Kitulo Tree Indigenous
Large leaved
Gardenia White Fruit woody, large egg shaped Kizolanza Shrub Indigenous
Ixora
Red or
yellow
Slender tube with 4 spreading
lobes in big heads Dar Shrub Exotic
White
Slender tube with 5 spreading
lobes in big heads
Red Corymbs of long tubed fls Ismilia Shrub Indigenous
Mexican
apple Many green fruits Kizolanza Tree Mexico
Amargo Bark Red Tubular flowers, red rachis Baobab Valley Shrub S America
Traveller's
palm Whole plant one large fan Dar Tree Madagascar
Grewia Yellow
Much branched, floriferous,
petals twisted
Baobab Valley
+ Shrub Indigenous
White
Petals not twisted, joined at
tips in bud, fruit black
Kizolanza,
lake Shrub Indigenous
Plum
Fingerleaf Purple
Rusty hairs, leaves palmately
compound Kizolanza Shrub Indigenous
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