The morning sun was warm and I felt delighted to see the little visitor who came almost daily to the garden in search of insects. It was a tiny kingfisher—one of the smallest—yet a vibrant bird with a bright blue crown, orange face, and a wash of purple feathers along the side of its head. This was the African Pygmy Kingfisher. Contrary to what its name suggests, it doesn’t fish; instead, it feeds on insects. Perched quietly on a low acacia branch, it waited patiently for an opportunity. Despite its vivid colours, it blended seamlessly into its surroundings. Its bright plumage, surprisingly, helps it remain unnoticed by both predators and prey. Spotting this bird at Leganga Lodge is a special highlight.
On a nearby tree, a chameleon moved slowly, as they normally do. Its eyes rotated independently in their sockets, providing a full 360-degree view without the need to turn its head. Imagine being able to look forward and backward at the same time! The chameleon’s colour changed in response to its surroundings—not only for camouflage but also reflecting its mood, temperature, and social cues. Upon spotting an insect, it zoomed in on its prey like a camera lens, locking on with pinpoint accuracy—a magical display from nature’s master of disguise.
We decided to take a butterfly tour through the gardens and surrounding areas. We saw many butterflies tasting with their legs as they landed on objects. The Little Beauty, Striped Policeman and Tiny Acre fluttered and danced through nature like royalty on a mission. An African Wood White floated gently with a bouncing flight pattern across various flowers. I wondered what attracts butterflies to specific plants. My friend, the legendary tour operator Mr Allan Mbaga, explained that the nectar-rich flowers found here are simply irresistible to dozens of species.
Our Pygmy Kingfisher, solitary and highly territorial, remained perched for long periods. With astonishing speed and accuracy, it dived to catch prey on the ground, then returned to its perch to soon feast on it—displaying the traits of a formidable predator despite its size.
A squirrel froze in place as we approached, hoping to remain unseen. I let it know I had spotted it, and it quickly darted away. Squirrels enjoy a variety of fruits here—guavas, figs, nuts, and other wild produce. Interestingly, squirrels play a key role in reforestation, as they often forget where they’ve hidden their food, leading to the growth of thousands of new trees each year.
The Tropical Boubou appeared, gliding in with a slow, descending flight while flashing its white rump patches and sounding its warning call—“bou bou” or “boubou”—which is how it earned its name. They’re a joy both to watch and to listen to.
After such a thrilling day, there’s no better way to unwind than with a glass of Dompo wine from Dodoma, paired with Ugali na Sungura Makange—a delicious African dish made with the finest local ingredients—accompanied by handpicked avocado. All this, while the White-browed Robin-Chat serenades you with its rich, flute-like song drifting through the trees—a soothing echo of tranquillity at Leganga Lodge.
Raphael Mbunda. Birding is his hobby. mbundarb11@gmail.com
