Birding - Southern Africa

Just some of the species that might be encountered.....

Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus)
in flight

Juvenile African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)

Saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

Martial eagle in flight (Polemaetus bellicosus)

Grey Hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala)

Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus)

Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis)

Southern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicoides)

Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)

Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)

Southern Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides)

White-throated Bee-eaters (Merops albicollis)

Racket-tailed Roller (Coracias spatulatus)

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950 reasons to visit – and that’s just the birds

Bird watching can mean different things to different people…..some may be transfixed by the exquisite colours and plumages, and the sheer diversity of species, world-wide.

Others may be interested in the different types of birds – birds of prey, migrants, sea birds, or the rare and exceptionally rare.

It is without dispute that Birding has grown as a hobby, on an international scale, particularly since the development of modern binoculars and other optical aids. And with the publication of the first field-guides in the 1930’s, birding became more accessible.

Southern Africa as a sub-region enjoys some of greatest bio-diversity anywhere on the planet – this includes plants (the Cape Floral Kingdom alone boasts some 9 600 species), mammals and birds (with some 958 identifies species – around 10% of the world’s known species).

Whether you are just starting out, or have a passing interest, or perhaps you are a ‘’twitcher’’ -Southern Africa is somewhere for the birder. As seasonality plays a big part in bird movements and interactions, you can enjoy some excellent year-round birding, with highlights in the breeding season which tends to be November to March.

Enjoy endemics and migrants – and with some world-class National Parks, and Reserves, you are guaranteed an excellent natural environment in which to see them.

With Southern African encompassing the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and eSwatini (ex Swaziland), not only is there a vast area to cover, but your birding journey/s will take you from coast to desert to mountain, lake, wetland, savannah and forest.

We have included a useful list of the birds of Southern Africa. This is based on the 7th edits of the well-known Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, and is therefore up to date.

A useful list to have - particularly if you are keen to add some of these species to your personal list of sightings!

Venture To Africa Bird List for Southern Africa
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