Dear all, 
I have been kindly requested by our BirdLife Partner in Tanzania to
circulate this to all interested. They are organizing a birdwatching
trip to the the magnificent Ulugurus to mark the world bird watch.
Anybody interested?
Get in touch with Elias Mungaya at the addresses shown below.
Thanks.
George Eshiamwata




 
Introduction
The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania is organizing a
Birdwatching expedition to take place in Uluguru Mountains in the
weekend of 7th and 8th October 2006. The expedition is among the
activities planned by WCST to celebrate the World Birdwatch and World
Birdwatch Festival. World Birdwatch was established in 1993 to promote
the appreciation of nature through birding. During this time all
BirdLife partners across the globe, locally organize activities to
celebrate this important event.  
 
Immediately after completion of the expedition, a report which will
include a list of the birds identified and any other interesting
observations together with the names of the participants will be
written and submitted to BirdLife International. This expedition will
contribute to raising conservation awareness of Uluguru Mountains
which is the major important biodiversity area in Eastern Arc. Uluguru
Mountains is currently suffering an ever increasing human
encroachment. The expedition will as well contribute to the promotion
of avian tourism.

"Through the World Bird Festival, BirdLife aims to raise public
awareness of the importance of birds and their habitats, and at the
same time, to promote the conservation of thousands of globally
important sites upon which most of the world's birds depend" BirdLife
International.


About Uluguru
Uluguru Mountains are situated approximately 37040'E, 7000'S in
Eastern Tanzania, about 200km from Dar –Es-Salaam City. See the map
bellow:

These beautiful mountains have a stretch of about 50km from South to
North and 20km from East to West and raises to about 2360m asl.
Uluguru Mountains is one of the world richest biodiversity sites which
form part of Eastern Arc Mountains. It is the most important site for
the conservation of biological diversity in the Eastern Arc, and a key
site for conservation in Africa. So far there are about forty four
Eastern Arc endemic vertebrate species found in the Ulugurs, among
these species thirteen are believed to be confined to Ulugurus.
Uluguru Mountains has two endemic birds: Uluguru Bush-shrike
Malaconotus alius (Critically Endangered) and Loveridge's Sunbird 
Nectarinia loveridgei (Endangered). Other rare birds found in Ulugurus
are: Sharpe's Akalat Sheppardia Sharpei bangsi, Mrs Moreau's Warbler
Bathmocercus winifredae Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes
collaris Mountain Greenbul Andropadus tephrolaemus neumanni, Dappled
Mountain Robin modulatrix orotruthus amani, Banded Green Sunbird
Anthreptes rubritorques.  Southern Banded Snake-eagle Circaetus
fasciolatus and Crowned Eagle Sphanoaetus coronatus. Other important
faunal species found in Uluguru Mountains include six and four endemic
species of amphibian and reptiles respectively and  Geata mouse Shrew.
For further information read the website bellow:
http://www.africanconservation.org/uluguru/biologicalimportance.html






Itinerary 
The expedition will start at 10.00am on the 6th October 2006 at the
Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST). WCST is located at
Garden Avenue opposite Mozambique Embassy.

Day1: Leave Dar at about 10.00am for Morogoro and drive to Tegetero
(5-6hrs). The evening can be spent watching birds of the forest edge. 

Day2: Leave very early (6.00) to the interior of Uluguru Mountains and
spend the whole day.

Day3: Drive back to Dar but stop at Kitulang'alo Forest Reserve to do
birding in the miombo woodland

In case you would like to see more birding areas in Tanzania, we can
provide you with relevant information. Tanzania has very good birding
areas due to its magnificent habitat diversity that include large
rivers, lakes, plains, deltas and estuaries, montanes and coastal
forests, miombo and other woodlands and coastline habitats (e.g.
estuaries, saltpans, mangroves and lagoons) just to mention a few.


Important logistics:
WCST will organize a to and from Dar-Es-Salaam transport,
accommodation (shared tents/guest house in Tegetero) and Food. Tents
may not be shared if the number of participants will be small.
Remember to bring with you: hiking boots, waterproof and warm
clothing. This is supposed to be a dry season but the whole country
has been experiencing unpredictable rains.

The cost for this expedition per person will be USD130/£70/Euro105. 

Visa
For people coming from outside Tanzania, we advise that you check with
your nearest Tanzania consular for visa requirements. In case someone
would like to tour other areas in Tanzania WCST will be willing to
advise. You can also check these websites:
http://tanzaniatouristboard.com/tourism_directory/ and
http://www.africa-safari.net/tanzania/tanzania-places-to-visit.html.

Please confirm your participation before 25th September 2006.

For further information contact:
Elias Mungaya/Jasson John
Wildlife Conservation Sociey of Tanzania