African pitta camp
african pitta camp Masoka
Specialist Birding Camp
By founder and professional bird guide, MacKenzie Zirota: "I grew up in Masoka Village, where self-drive birders visiting our forest first opened my eyes to the magic of the surrounding birdlife. After high school, I dedicated myself to tourism and, in 2011, took over our community camp "Masoka Pitta Camp", to safeguard both the birds and the livelihoods of our people."
"DO visit for the ultimate southern Africa birding bucket list tick!"
"Never failed to see the pitta from November to March for the last 5 years visiting here”
the "pitta whisperer"
The Camp
About Masoka Pitta Camp
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Your own private camp in a wilderness area with large game, overlooking the Angwa River.
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Fully self-catering or full board.
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Rate for full-board catering, all-inclusive (food, accommodation, guiding fees) at $250 per person per night.
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US$75 per person self-catering, excluding guiding and conservation fees.
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3 chalets, sleeps 6. Option to camp.
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The camp is secluded and situated under huge Natal Mahogany trees away from the village.
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Birding in wilderness areas otherwise not accessible to visitors.
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A view from the camp across the Angwa River to a wilderness area on the other bank.
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Wildlife in or crossing the river daily.
Location
The camp is situated in a rural area of northern Zimbabwe, 5 hours drive from Harare. We can also arrange transfers from Harare.
A good 4x4 is essential. A pick-up bakkie with a div-lock is not adequate for the rainy season, you will get
stuck.
Directions
GPS coordinates:
16°10'41.7"S 30°08'34.8"E
A GPS is essential for finding you way once you turn off the Mushumbi-Angwa Road.
Detailed directions will be sent to you.
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& many more
African Pitta
Western-banded snake eagle
Arnot's chat
Mottled spinetail
Lillian's lovebird
Bohm's spinetail
Orange-winged pytillia
River Warbler
Thrush Nightingale
Livingstone's flycatcher
Barred long-tailed cuckoo
Three-banded courser
Great spotted cuckoo
Pennant-winged nightjar
Thick-billed cuckoo
Whitethroat
Zambezi Indigobird
bird species
Life at Masoka camp
This is is just a guide – you take things at your own pace
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Get up early, an hour to half an hour before sunrise. Have coffee and rusks.
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Go birding with your guide (either MacKenzie or one of the other guides resident in Masoka that work for hunting and tourist businesses in the area) and a National Parks monitor. Normally, they join you in your vehicle. Alternatively, the camp has a vehicle.
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Back at camp around 10 - 11 am for brunch.
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Rest in the middle and heat of the day
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Around 3 - 4 pm, go birding again.
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Back at camp by sunset or a little earlier if you’re doing self-catering.
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To see Lillian’s lovebird, set aside half a day from early afternoon to evening. You will drive to the Angwa Bridge, past Angwa and then have to walk down a steep hill and sit and wait for them at the end of the day to come back to their nests.
Reviews
Read about previous guests' experiences At African pitta camp.
Morag Flight
“Phenomenal experience had for the last five years at African Pitta Camp Masoka, Zimbabwe. Never failed to see the pitta and been in months from November to March. Mckenzie and his team do an amazing job. Well worth the visit and you can visit the fossil forest and dinosaur footprints too”
Jan Wood
"A fantastic trip to Masoka. Best sightings of pitta! Stunning place and wonderful guide."
Harriet Nimmo
"We had an AMAZING time here in November 2024 - Mackenzie Zirota is the pitta whisperer. Great sightings and very good value self-catering option.
If you want to see the pitta, this is THE place!"
Andrew Brown
"A must for keen birders... l have been three times in the past three years… on all occasions we have found the Pitta."
ABOUT MACKENZIE
I was born and raised in Masoka Village. As a child I remember watching some self-drive birders who always came to Masoka with their big lenses and binoculars and pitched their tents under the trees. I was curious, and they made me realise how special these birds are. They really inspired me, and so after finishing high school I decided to move straight into the tourism industry.
In 2011 I took over the little community camp that was here, to try and protect the birds and this patch of forest, and to help the local people. The payments from our guest revenues get paid directly to the community. Some of my guests also bring school items eg books, pencil, crayons and birding magazines, so I can help local school children understand the importance of conserving nature, especially birds.
Frequently asked questions
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