BIRDING

When most people think of a safari, a vision of elephants and giraffes crossing savannah grasslands or lions stalking plains game comes naturally to mind. For Africa is the home of the big game safari. It is also though home to some of the most diverse and abundant birdlife on our planet, from the tiny yet stunning plumage of the Malachite Kingfisher of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, through to the Goliath Heron of Zambia’s Kafue or South Luangwa National Parks. Wherever you travel to in Africa you’ll find an abundance of birdlife and many interesting species. Here are three areas that we think stand out for keen birders.

Botswana

Almost 600 bird species have been recorded in Botswana; from the desert landscapes of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve through to the waterways and woodlands of the Okavango Delta, the sheer diversity and density of birdlife is staggering.

The key to this diversity is the wide range of habitats available within Botswana which attract different species at different times of the year. Signature bird species for the key habitats are:

Okavango Delta – Slaty Egret, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Ruffous-Bellied Heron, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana and Brown Firefinch.

Riverine –Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Wood Owl, and Tropical Boubou

Kalahari – Montagu’s Harrier, Kori Bustard, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Secretary Bird and Namaqua Sandgrouse

Mopane and Acacia Woodland – White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike, African Golden Oriole, Arnott’s Chat and Crimson-breasted Shrike.

There are also a number of migrant birds that arrive from early September including Southern Carmine Bee-eaters.

Zambia

Birding in the Kafue and South Luangwa National Parks of Zambia is excellent, given the varied habitats (in many ways not too dissimilar to Botswana) and especially so with the arrival of the migratory birds from September onwards.

Busanga Plains – Wattled Crane, Grey-Crowned Crane, Rosy-throated Longclaw and Fulleborn’s Longclaw

Miombo and Riverine Woodland – Chaplin’s Barbet, Bohm’s Bee-eater, Schalow’s Turacao, Bohm’s Fly-catcher and Racket-tailed Roller.

Mopane Woodland – Lillian’s Lovebird, Meves’ Starling, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver and Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah.

Open River and Sandbanks – African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher and White-crowned Plover.

Namibia

Namibia principally offers desert and semi-desert habitats, so birding here is not so much about the quantity but the quality with one endemic and twenty near-endemics, which tend to be the focus of birders visiting Namibia although the cold Benguela Current is rich in sea life and yields some interesting sightings.

Namib Desert – Dune Lark (endemic), Burchell’s Courser, Tractrac Chat and Ludwig’s Bustard

Escarpment – Rockrunner, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Bradfield’s Swift and Booted Eagle

Seashore, Tidal Lagoon and Ocean – Damara Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, African Black Oystercatcher and Pomarine Jaeger.

Call us for more information, we’d love to arrange for you the best birding activities you’ll ever have.

ITINERARIES

We have a great selection of sample itineraries below that we have created to provide you with everything you need for a fantastic holiday. These itineraries can be amended to suit your requirements, please get in touch to discuss your bespoke safari.

Botswana in Style – Diamond

FEATURED CAMPS

We have the best selection of resorts & camps in Botswana to suit all of your needs and requirements. If you would like any additional information on any of these resorts & camps, please contact us directly.

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