Luxury Birding Safaris

Explore Africa’s amazing and varied birdlife.

With more than 2500 different bird species, Africa is a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Africa’s bird watching is as varied and fascinating as the continent itself, with species like the stunning bee-eaters of Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the dinosaur-like Shoebill stork of Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park attracting visitors.

The astonishing diversity of distinctive habitats found in the broad region—from the dry savannas of Southern Africa to the coastal forests and fynbos of the Cape Coast to the lush, tropical rainforests of East Africa—explains the region’s abundant birdlife.

When there is not much large game to see, focusing your attention on searching the sky, woods, and oceans for avian marvels can make your overall safari experience even more amazing. Professional and novice birders alike can explore the savannas and sky with knowledgeable local guides. In some of Africa’s most spectacular national parks, lions, gorillas, elephants, and other exotic animals coexist with numerous endemic and migratory species.

Are you prepared?

Africa’s top birdwatching locations

South Africa’s Cape Coast

The nutrient-rich seas of the Cape are unparalleled for oceanic birding. Many different species are brought to the fishing areas south of Cape Point by trawlers. Winter is the most productive time to go pelagic birding, which involves launching a boat into the ocean to locate birds that are only visible there. At this season, a variety of fascinating visitors from the Southern Ocean arrive, including the Antarctic prion, the northern royal albatross, and the black-crowned albatross.

Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

With over 450 different bird species found on its varied topography, the Murchison Falls National Park in northwest Uganda is a veritable birder’s paradise in Africa. Here you can see lesser flamingos, giant kingfishers, martial eagles, and the incredibly rare Shoebill stork. With guided hikes, game drives, and even river cruises, this park offers a wide range of viewing choices that make it an even more unique place to go birdwatching.

Namibia’s Zambezi Region

Kwando, Okavango, Zambezi,

and Chobe Rivers encircle the Zambezi Region, formerly known as the Caprivi Region. It is a small area of territory in Namibia’s northeast. A remarkable 450 kinds of birds have been reported here, thanks to its tropical climate, which is home to numerous birds not found anywhere else in the nation. Keep an eye out for the African openbill, white-fronted bee-eater, and unique racket-tailed roller. There is also an abundance of waders here all year round.

Kenya’s Lake Nakuru

A prime spot for birdwatching in Kenya is Lake Nakuru, which is known for its profusion of pink flamingos. Despite the large number of colorful flamingos, over 450 other species can be spotted here by birdwatchers. Highlights will undoubtedly include the Pallid Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Madagascar Pond-Heron, and Grey-Crested Helmet Shrike, all of which are endangered species worldwide.

Africa’s Kruger National Park

In addition to being South Africa’s top safari destination, the Kruger National Park is a renowned hotspot for birdwatching. More than 500 different bird species can be found in the vast sanctuary, some of which are unique to the nation, particularly the regional rarities found in the park’s northernmost sector. Seek out the Kori bustard, Saddle-billed stork, Lappet-faced vulture, Martial eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, and Southern ground hornbill—the “Big Six” of birds.

Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve

Another great place to go bird watching is the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania, which is arguably one of Africa’s best protected parks. The reserve, which is twice as large as the Serengeti, boasts an incredibly intricate natural structure, with sandbanks, river channels, and lagoons serving as bird habitats. Take a boat safari adventure and keep an eye out for unique species like the Palm-nut vulture, Thick-billed Cuckoo, and Broad-billed Roller among the 440+ bird species that have been documented in this area.

Delta Okavango, Botswana

The Okavango Delta in northwestern Botswana is a birder’s paradise, home to over 500 species. While sightings are magnificent all year round, visitors from November to April have the opportunity to expand their lists to include intra-African and palearctic migrants. The Delta’s rivers are best explored by traditional mokoros, whose reeds give rails, cormorants, and kingfishers with the ideal habitat. The white-backed night heron, Hartlaub’s babbler, and lesser jacana are among the other highly sought-after highlights.

Rwanda’s Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park in Rwanda is a great place to go bird watching. Its varied ecosystem, which consists of swamp, forests, and rolling hills, attracts around 480 species. Of the 480 species, 100 bird species are unique to Rwanda’s protected areas, thus Akagera is a great place to visit if raptors are your thing. It is common to witness species like Brown snake-eagles, Bateleur, Ruppell’s griffon vultures, and Bateleurs cruising the sky in pursuit of prey.