BIRDING SOUTH AFRICA

Birding SA offers outstanding infrastructure, with regards to accommodation and food. Therefore birding in South Africa with its varied landscapes and wildlife make it one of the greatest countries in the world to bird in.  To find over 500 species in a 3 week trip with the help of a hospitable local bird guide is quite easy. Possibly the best reason to bird in SA is because the country boasts more endemic species than any other country on the African continent.

Birding SA

Therefore birding in the national parks offers excellent venues to view these birds and with parks located in all corners of the country. In the wide  variety of habitats South Africa has to offer, each park has its own unique avi-spectrum. South Africa is comprised of 9 distinct biomes or ecological units. Defined largely by climate & landscape with varying vegetation types. Each of these biomes is home to hundreds of bird species, some uniquely adapted to the area. As a result birding South Africa in the Nama & Succulent  Karoo & Desert Biomes for example has a great number of specialized insectivorous birds. South Africa also has some of the smallest (e.g. warblers) and largest bird species (ostrich). Grassland, Savanna, Thicket and Coastal biomes. All have their own flagship and often endemic species in unique accessible settings.

Klass’s Cuckoo

 

Birding SA

According to Birdlife South Africa, birding in South Africa in the Southern African subregion (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland) has over 960 bird species recorded and 177 endemics. In other words, almost 20% of Southern Africa’s birds can be found nowhere else in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endemic_birds_of_southern_Africa

Birding South Africa in the Western Cape is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots and is a   legendary birding gem, hosting 62 endemics.   The Fynbos biome and Cape Floral Kingdom is home to the

 

“Magnificent 8”

• Cape Rock Jumper
• Hottentot Buttonquail
• Cape Siskin
• Orange-breasted Sunbird
• Protea Seedeater
• Victorins Warbler
• Southern Black Korhaan
• African Penguin

https://www.westerncapebirding.co.za/news/653/endemic_birds_of_the_western_cape_province

Birding SA 

In a nutshell, there are so many outstanding bird-watching opportunities with such an abundance of magnificent birds in our beautiful country, take time out to appreciate them. Below is a small selection of my favourite photos from all over Southern Africa.