Bird watching means the observation of live birds in their natural habitat using equipment including binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guide books. People who enjoy this hobby are called birders with some doing it for pleasure and others for conservation purposes given that birds are indicators of a healthy ecosystem. According to Birdlife International environmental changes can be detected by changes in the natural behavior of bird species.
The estimated number of bird species in Africa is 2,477 of which 1,400 (57%) are endemic to specific areas known as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These are sites identified as being internationally significant for the conservation of birds and other biodiversity, based on a set of standardized, data-driven criteria. The African network of over 1,248 IBAs have been identified covering a total area of two million sq. km roughly 7% of the continent including the Albertine rift valley, eastern Zaire lowlands, Kenya mountains, Serengeti ecosystem, South Africa among others. The top 10 countries in Africa with highest number of birds include DR Congo with over 1,148, Kenya 1,103, Uganda 1,075, Tanzania 1,056, Angola 956, Sudan 955, Ethiopia 852, Cameroon 951, South Africa 832 and Nigeria 926 species.
The best birding experience in Africa
Uganda offers the best bird watching experience in East Africa with over 1,002 species of birds including 37 globally threatened species the secretary bird, white headed, lappet faced, white backed, Ruppell’s Egyptian and hooded vultures; blue swallow, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, red collared mountain babbler, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Basra reed warbler, Grauer’s broadbill, Taita falcon, southern ground hornbill, steppe and martial eagles. There are over 36 important birding sites in Uganda including Lake Mburo, Bwindi impenetrable forest, Queen Elizabeth, Semliki, Kibale forest and Murchison falls national parks. Among other sites include Mabamba swamp, Budongo and Mabira central forest reserves. Uganda also combines birding with once-in-a-lifetime gorilla safaris, spectacular landscape, rich culture and friendly people.
Important birding sites
Mabamba bay wetland
Located in Entebbe on the shores of Lake Nalubale, Mabamba swamp is famous for harboring the shoebill stork and over 260 bird species including the globally threatened blue swallow, papyrus gonolek and African marsh harrier.
Budongo central forest reserve
Budongo is famous for harboring the Puvel’s illadopsis and the Yellow-footed flycatcher which aren’t found anywhere else in East Africa. The site is recognized as a global IBA with 360 species of birds including many resident species such as bronze tailed starling, Blue throated brown sunbird, black collared lovebird, lowland Akalat, Grey long bill, white crested turaco, and Brown-rumped bunting.
Birding viewing in Kenya
Kenya’s bird checklist of 1,103 species includes both the greater and lesser flamingos that inhabit the alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley including Lake Nakuru, Bogoria, Elementaita, and Magadi. The largest bird in Kenya is the Kori bustard (Ardeotis arabs) found in Maasai Mara national reserve which is part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem along with Amboseli national park. Maasai Mara is famous for harboring the wildebeest migration and Big Five mammal species which include Elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, and leopards. The number of birds in the reserve is 470 species including the near endemic Usambiro barbet and the Grey-crested helmet-shrike.
Amboseli national park
Amboseli boasts over 400 species birds of which most are savanna species such as the secretary birds, Hartlaub’s bustards and Pangani longclaws. You can also see both the greater and lesser flamingos in Amboseli at the Enkongo Narok Swamp near the Noomotio Observation Hill in April to June and November to December. The permanent swamp is fed by springs from springs in Mount Kilimanjaro and is one of the best spots in Amboseli to see water birds such as the African jacanas, long-toed lapwings, white-headed buffalo weavers, water thick nee, and Taveta golden weavers. The flagship species of Amboseli are elephants with 1,600 elephants including super tuskers such as the 50-year old Craig, the elephant with biggest tusks in Kenya. Elephants in Amboseli are seen against a spectacular backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, making for a must-visit gem for a keen photographer.
Mount Kenya national park
Mount Kenya (5,199 m), an extinct volcano and second tallest mountain in Africa is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the best places for mountain climbing and birding alike with over 130 bird species including the endangered Abbott’s Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis) and Sharpe’s Longclaw ( Macronyx sharpie). Among other bird species in Mount Kenya national park include the near threatened Elgon Francolin (Scleroptila elgonensis), Tauraco hartlaubi, Bar tailed tragon, Abyssinian Owl (Asio abyssinicus), Thick-billed Seedeater (Crithagra burtoni), Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowi), and Brown Woodland-warbler (Phylloscopus umbrovirens). With diverse habitats which include rainforests, bamboo, scrub and Afro-alpine moorlands, the protected area is home to a wide range of mammal species which include elephants, bongo, black-fronted duiker, elands, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, and suni.
Birding in Tanzania
Tanzania offers fantastic birding opportunities with 1,056 species of which 34 are endemics including Loveridge’s sunbird, South Pare white-eye, Beesley’s lark, Broad-ringed white-eye, Pemba scops owl, Usambara eagle-owl, Udzungwa forest partridge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis), and Banded green sunbird. Tanzania’s rich bird biodiversity stems from the variety of habitats ranging from Serengeti ecosystem, Mount Kilimanjaro to tropical forests on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and the marine protected areas such as Menai Bay Conservation Area off the coast of the Indian Ocean in Zanzibar Islands. There are 899 land birds, 171 water birds, 28 seabirds, 261 migratory birds allowing visitors to choose from a wide range of birding destinations in the northern, southern, or western circuits. Source: Bird Life International.
Where to go birding in Tanzania
Serengeti national park
Serengeti is one of the top African safari parks and destinations due to exceptional wildlife viewing experiences including witnessing the great wildebeest migration of over 2 million animals. The main highlight of the migration include Mara River Crossing where crocodiles put a stumbling obstacle killing and injuring some of them. The Big 5 mammals which include leopards, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants. Birding in Serengeti enhances the overall game viewing experience with 530 species of birds recorded of which a quarter being migratory species including Eurasian Blackcap, White Stork, European Roller, Montague’s Harrier, Common Swift, Willow Warbler, and Corn Crake. The best time for birding in Serengeti is April to May and November during the wet season migratory birds are present in certain places of the park such as Lake Ndutu, Seronera and Lobo valley, and Grumeti River.
Flamingos
Lake Natron is the main breeding ground for an estimated 2 million lesser flamingos in Tanzania, however the species also migrate between alkaline rift valley lakes and can also be found in Lake Manyara and Momela Lakes in Arusha national parks in the northern circuit.
Usambara Mountains
The East Usambara UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve covers 90,478 hectares encompassing 14 protected areas including Nilo and Amani Nature Reserves with rich in biodiversity including 13 endemics which include Usambara eagle-owl, (Bubo vosseleri), Usambara weaver (Ploceus nicolli), Sokoke scops owl (Otus ireneae), long-billed forest warbler (Orthotomus moreaui), dapple-throat (Modulatrix orostruthus), and Swynnerton’s robin (Swynnertonia swynnertoni).
Birding in Namibia
Namibia has 80% of its total land covered in desert or semi-arid climate and as such the wettest areas of Namibia specifically the Eastern Caprivi wetlands are the best to visit for birding. Covering an area of 4,680 sq. km, the East Caprivi designated as an Important Bird Area is famous for harboring half of the country’s 598 bird species. The bird diversity stems from high amount of rainfall 770-1,000 mm per annum and a diverse range of terrestrial habitats ranging from fresh water papyrus wetlands, reed beds, deciduous ever green trees and shrubs with tree species including Lonchocarpus, Diospyros, Garcinia, and Syzygium and wet savanna grasslands with baobab and wild date palm trees. Bird species found in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip include Thick-billed Vireo (V. crassirostris), Rosy-throated longclaw (Macronyx ameliae), Egretta vinaceigula, wattled crane (Grus carunculatus), Rufous-bellied heron (Ardeola rufiventris), saddle billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), lesser jacana (Microparra capensis), white crowned lapwing Vanellus albiceps, collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola), Macronyx ameliae and Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus). In addition to birds, the area is home to African elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. A Namibia caprivi safari offers a wide range of activities from boat rides, game drives in the Caprivi game reserve, and nature walks to fishing for Tiger fish.