Best birding tours in Botswana
Best Birding Tours for Unforgettable Birdwatching Adventures
2-Nights at Nxai Pan
Nxai Pan National Park is a paradise for birding enthusiasts. With over 200 bird species recorded, it is a prime spot for birdwatching. The park’s diverse habitats, including acacia scrub, grassland, and mopane woodland, attract a wide range of birdlife. During the wet summer months, the open pan becomes a stage for kori bustards and secretary birds, which mingle with migratory storks. Birding in Nxai Pan is excellent year-round, but the rainy season is particularly special as it coincides with the birds’ breeding period, making it the best time for avid birdwatchers.
1-Night at Nata Bird Sanctuary
Located at the northeastern tip of the majestic Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Bird Sanctuary is one of Botswana’s top birding destinations. During and after the rainy season, the sanctuary transforms into a vibrant birding hotspot. Hundreds of thousands of Lesser Flamingos, a globally threatened species, along with Greater Flamingos, Chestnut-banded Plovers, Pelicans, and other waterbirds, flock to the nutrient-rich waters of the pans. As the water recedes, Nata hosts Southern Africa’s largest gathering of Lesser Flamingos, a stunning spectacle that should be on every bird enthusiast’s list.
1-Night at Lake Ngami
Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, Lake Ngami is one of Southern Africa’s most dynamic wetlands, especially during flood years. The lake becomes a haven for tens of thousands of birds, providing ideal breeding grounds and abundant food. The rainy season attracts raptors such as Lesser Spotted Eagles, Steppe Eagles, and Red-footed Falcons. These birds of prey are often seen actively feeding on insects, with eagles picking them off the ground and falcons skillfully catching them mid-air. The lake’s vibrant ecosystem makes it a must-visit for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
3-Nights at Shakawe Panhandle
Shakawe is located along a channel of the Okavango River and offers superb opportunities for both birdwatching and fishing. The riverbanks serve as a perfect nesting site for Bee-eaters, while the tall reeds and papyrus provide shelter for a variety of bird species, including Herons, Cormorants, Warblers, Kingfishers, and Crakes. The Shakawe Panhandle is an ideal birding location, where the natural beauty of the Okavango meets the extraordinary biodiversity of the region, making it a key spot for birdwatchers.
2-Nights at Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve is a birding paradise, offering the perfect mix of woodland and water birds. The guides in the reserve are knowledgeable birdwatchers, making it a great destination for birding enthusiasts. Mokoro trips provide a unique opportunity to get close to birds, allowing for incredible photography. Moremi’s highlights include the rare and rather elusive slaty egret and the elegant wattled crane. Both species are captivating for both birders and casual observers alike, enhancing the overall wildlife experience in this magnificent reserve.
2-Nights at Khwai Conservancy
Khwai Private Reserve is one of the best locations for birding and wildlife in Botswana. The Khwai River, which is the only permanent water source in the area during the dry season, attracts an incredible variety of birds. The reserve is especially renowned for its raptors, including Martial Eagles, Secretary Birds, and Bateleurs. Along the riverbanks, you can spot waterbirds such as the Purple Gallinule, Saddle Billed Stork, Black Stork, and various Kingfishers. The surrounding Mopane woodland adds to the diversity, offering a home to many species of interest, making Khwai a birding gem.
1-Night at Savuti Marsh
Nestled between the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, Savuti Marsh is a premier birding destination, especially in the summer months. The area is home to large secretary birds, kori bustards, and red-billed francolins. Migratory storks, carmine bee-eaters, and fish eagles add to the birding diversity. April sees the arrival of massive flocks of quelea finches, a mesmerizing sight as thousands of them move in unison, creating a spectacle for birdwatchers to marvel at.
2-Nights at Ihaha
Overlooking the stunning Chobe River, Ihaha offers unparalleled birding and wildlife experiences. Located within Chobe National Park, which is home to over 450 bird species, it’s a top birding spot in Southern Africa. The riverine woodland attracts a variety of birds, including eagles, rollers, egrets, skimmers, geese, kingfishers, and herons. With spectacular views and exceptional birdwatching opportunities, Ihaha is a must-visit for any nature lover.