Peter-Pichler-Gurue-Mozambique

2010-11-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

Mount Namuli

We began at 6am with a car-ride with Peter, from Pensao Gurue, through a tea plantation and up as far as the 4WD pick-up could go, for about 1 hour. Peter arranged a guide/porter, Vincent, to escort us to the village of Mucunha Sede at the base of Mount Namuli. We walked up a windy track to a pass, and then through a high uneven plain for 3 hours, with Vincent pushing his bicycle laden with both our rucksacks. After the pass the path was mostly level following ridges and crossing a river (cold feet!).

On arriving at the village we met the chief (Regulo) who made us welcome with a place to pitch our tent and some cooked potatoes for lunch. He accepted our gifts of flour, rice, beer and cigarettes, and 25000Mc (approx 1USD) each, and performed a short ceremony to ask the spirit of Mount Namuli to grant us a safe passage. He also arranged a guide for our climb the next day.

We set off and climbed steadily through grass fields and hillside. After 2 hours we reached a broad shoulder with wide views to both sides and of the mountain ahead. Onwards up increasingly steep rock slabs took us to a technically difficult but short climbing section up a cramped gully. Easier ground took us to a supply of water, and then on to the summit, 3 hours after our departure. The clouds lifted giving us good views over the surrounding peaks and plains.

The descent via the same route also took 3 hours. On our return the chief was very excited and greeted us with a little dance, and a hug, and another short ceremony of thanks to the mountain spirit.

We returned to Gurue by circuiting the mountain, crossing a valley and descending through another tea plantation. 2 hours before Gurue is a scenic waterfall with camping and swimming potential. This 8 hour route completed a circular walk of the whole mountain plateau.

Best done in 3 days!

Dave & Fran

davefieldhouse@hotmail.com

franharrowes@hotmail.com

2010-04-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

A recent trip to Gurue mountains, the beauty of the area is impressive and with more Tea-factory's working the Gardens are inviting for hiking and relaxing.

Namuli Apalis

2010-03-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

Gurue, Mozambique - Top Ten Birding Sites by African Birding Club

Introduction Mozambique Cholo Alethe Alethe choloensis Photo: Claire Spottiswoode The Republic of Mozambique, once the African-Algarve where visitors relished the tropical summers of this former Portuguese colony, has since been ravaged by 15 years of civil war. With the war a memory, Mozambique is trying hard to shed the ominous label as one of the world's poorest countries. Despite its chequered history, Mozambique is an exciting destination for birders wanting to find the many southern African specials that the region holds. The areas highly threatened lowland forests and miombo woodlands are home to many African specials such as African Pitta Pitta angolensis, Green-headed Oriole Oriolus chlorocephalus, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, White-chested Alethe Alethe fuelleborni, Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike Prionops scopifrons, Olive-headed Weaver Ploceus olivaceiceps, Plain-backed Sunbird Anthreptes reichenowi, Locust-Finch Paludipasser locustella and the localised Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica in winter, also a time when Crab-plover Dromas ardeola and Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor can be found along the coast. Areas of Mozambique, north of the Zambezi River, are largely unexplored ornithologically with a recent trip to the area (the first since the 1930s / 40s) confirming reports of localised populations of Dappled Mountain-Robin Arcanator orostruthus and Long-billed Tailorbird Orthotomus moreaui (both localised in Tanzania), Cholo Alethe Alethe choloensis and White-winged Apalis Apalis chariessa (both highly localised in Malaŵi). Mozambique's only endemic,considered by some authorities as a full species Namuli Apalis Apalis lynesi, and restricted to the Namuli Massif is shown on the ABC checklist as a subspecies of Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica lynesi. This country account for Mozambique serves to provide birders with up to date information about birds and birding in the area. While the information provided has been sourced from a variety of reliable resources (a list is provided at the end of this document) the aim is such that this document is dynamic in that birders who have recently visited the region can add their own accounts and contributions. We therefore encourage readers to email new information to info@africanbirdclub.org. Please note that the names of birds used in this document are those adopted by the African Bird Club checklist. Thanks Claire for you excellent work! Peter