Birds & Birding in South Africa
Watch the fun loaded activities of bird species with Bird watching tours in South Africa by booking the enjoyable and organized bird watching packages for tourists. Bird watching holidays in South Africa satisfies the birding desires of seasonal bird watchers and the enthusiastic tourists by providing a long lasting birding experience. The quest of searching the rarest and unique birds is the main attraction of birding watching tours.
With its amazing biological diversity, thriving ecosystems and wonderful climate, it is no wonder that South Africa has emerged as one of the top global destinations for bird watching tours. Over 1000 recorded bird species, 725 of them resident or migrant and 50 endemic have been recorded in the country. This variety makes bird watching enormously enjoyable for birders who sway-in from several parts of the world to catch a glimpse of these beautiful, rare and endangered species.
Several South Africa tour operators offer escorted birding packages guided by professional local birders and tour guides, well acquainted by the avifauna of the country. They conducted tailored expeditions to all major bird sanctuaries and game reserves in quest of rare and endemic birds in South Africa.
TOP BIRDING SPOTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Birding in Mpumalanga Province
Mpumalanga Province is situated in the north eastern region of South Africa bordering Mozambique and Swaziland. The two key birding sites in the province are Wakkerstroom and Kaapsehoop. Mpumalanga boasts a huge variety of threatened, endemic and highly sought after species including Rudd’s And Botha’s Larks, Yellow-Breasted and African Rock Pipits, The Bush Blackcap, Blue and White-Bellied Korhaans, Stanley’s Bustard, The Blue, Grey-Crowned and Wattled Cranes, The Southern Bald Ibis, And The White-Winged Flufftail, The Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Walhberg’s Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Other great birds of note are the saddle-billed stork, ostrich, southern ground horn-bill and the Kori bustard. Expert bird guides are affordable and provide you with improved security and valuable information on where some of our elusive and special bird species may be found.
.
Birding in KwaZulu-Natal Province
KwaZulu-Natal is a province in the east of South Africa, bordering Mozambique in the north and the Eastern Cape in the south. Owing to its numerous freshwater lagoons, tidal estuaries, marshes and flooded grasslands, the Province is an exclusive reserve for rare avifauna in South Africa. It offers one of the most species-rich spots to visit on South Africa bird watching tours. Over 600 species of birds can be seen in this 94.361Sq Km area.
KwaZulu-Natal is a happy breeding ground for many resident and migratory birds like the rare Spotted Thrush and Purple Crested Lourie, African broadbill, Neergaard’s sunbird, Mangrove Kingfisher and Bearded Vulture. In Tembe Elephant Park alone, about 340 species of birds can be found, including some rare one such as the Rudd’s apalis, Natal nightjar and the Woodward’s barbet.
Birding in Western Cape Province
Western Cape Province is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hot spots home to remarkable variety of bird spices. It is an indispensable destination for enthusiastic birders. The Province has a wide diversity of birding habitats including the unique Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Afromontane Forest and internationally renowned wetlands. The smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, the tiny Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on early. Other popular birds include Cape Sugar bird, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, African Penguin, Cape Rock-jumper, Protea Canary, Southern Black Korhaan, Hottentot Buttonquail, Black Harrier, Knysna Warbler, and Bank Cormorant. For birders who manage to schedule their bird watching tours during the Sardine Run that occurs around June or July, the incredible sight of Cape gannets diving into the seas to catch fish is definitely something to remember. Birding in the Western Cape is spectacular at the end of August. The best birding months are September, October and November.
| Birding Tips for Beginners “Avoid wearing bright coloured clothes. Go for clothes that blend well with nature as much as possible. Tight clothes are recommended, or clothes that make loud noises when you move are not. Turn your phone to silent, Avoid sudden movements, keep your voice down, and try not to point or move around too much. Locate a good birding spot. The more invisible you are, the better bird watching experience you will have, as disturbing the birds just causes them to leave. For best results try to keep still so as not to scare the birds into hiding. If you’re going out in the woods, wear boots and maybe leech socks to keep insects away. Wearing a dark coloured hat isn’t just good for keeping warm, it can help camouflage you. Be equipped with telescopes, binoculars and cameras for enhanced sight. Use of a guide improves birding” |
Best Time for South Africa Bird watching
Spring to late summer (September to March) is the best time for birding in South Africa with peak viewing in midsummer (December and January). The duration of your tour can be as long as you like but we would suggest a one to two week Bird Watching tour itinerary in South Africa to fully appreciate and enjoy the birding experience in the country.
| Other Birding Spots ▪ Tswaing Nature Reserve ▪De Hoop Nature Reserve ▪Helderberg Nature Reserve ▪Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden ▪Paarl Bird Sanctuary ▪Rietvlei Wetland ▪Tienie Versfeld Nature Reserve ▪West Coast National Park ▪Namaqua National Park |
Wildlife in South Africa ▪Kruger National Park ▪Addo Elephant National Park ▪Table Mountains National Park ▪Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve ▪Marakele National Park ▪Kruger National Park ▪Tankwa Karoo National Park ▪Wilderness National Park ▪Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park ▪Northern KwaZulu-Natal |
Also enjoy bird watching tours in the following countries;
Birding in Uganda |Birding in Kenya | Birding in Botswana | Birding in Tanzania | Birding in Malawi
