Chipinge and Mt. Selinda

Kiledo Lodge
There are several birding venues within the Chipinge area, and it is probably best to use Kiledo Lodge outside Chipinge as a central base for these various excursions.  Kiledo Lodge, located 18km down the eastern Border Road outside the village of Chipinge, is the best place to stay when visiting this area. It is 40km from the Haroni/Rusitu and 60 km from Chirinda Forest. The lodge manager will give visitors detailed instructions on how to get to the forest. There is also good birding around Kiledo which is built on a mixed coffee/tea estate. Red-capped Robin-Chat, Cape Batis, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul and Yellow-streaked Greenbul call from the forest surrounding this attractive lodge. In the very early morning it is often possible to hear African Broadbill in the forest immediately below the chalets. Gorgeous Bush-Shrike and Olive Bush-Shrike are common residents and Green Malkoha, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike and Olive Sunbird can be found here. In the grassland look for Singing Cisticola.

Directions: Travelling from Mutare, take the Chipinge turnoff just before Birchenough Bridge. Approximately 5km before Chipinge turn left into the eastern border Road and continue for 18km. The sign to Kiledo Lodge is on the left-hand side of the road. For booking details tel+263-4-703633 tel/fax+263-4-703634, innsofzw@mweb.co.zw or www.innsofzim.co.zw

Mt Selinda.
Well worth a visit when in the area is Chirinda Forest at Mount Selinda (about 60km from Kiledo). This spectacular forest, controlled by the Forestry Commission is well known for its magnificent trees. Over 100 species occur in the forest, the most famous being the remains of an enormous red Mahogany Khaya nyasica. A common resident in the forest is the large Silvery-cheeked Hornbill. Chirinda Apalis and Lemon Dove are also common but difficult to see. The track leading to the Big tree and picnic site is signposted and is just before the Mount Selinda Mission Station. The best birding is actually on the opposite side of the road next to Swynnerton's Memorial. This is the best place to look for Swynnerton's Robin, although some birders have been lucky enough to see it along the path to the big tree. Crested Guineafowl, Livingstone's Turaco, White-eared Barbet, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Square-tailed Drongo, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Black-throated Wattle-eye, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher and Black-fronted Bush-Shrike are other species that occur here.

Directions: Go through Chipinge to the end of the shops and turn right at the BP Service Station onto the Mount Selinda Road which is tarred all the way to the forest. The forest is 25km from Chipinge.

Derek Solomon 1997.
On Safari International
Tel: +263-4-487703
osi@ecoweb.co.zw
www.osi.co.zw