Now that most countries have opened up after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions the tourism sector is gradually gaining momentum. Before the pandemic, tourism was a big business and contributed more than 10 percent of global GDP. However, in some countries, the percentage was higher as these economies were tourism-dependent countries. Various African nations relied heavily on tourism as a pillar to reducing poverty, economic stability and prosperity. While the disruption in the African tourism industry has led to various challenges it has also allowed new talent to understand emerging trends in the post-COVID scenario.
Bespoke luxury travel is one of the rising tourism trends around the world and many travelers are now seeking luxury experiences. While birdwatching tourism, better known as avitourism has always been there it has come strongly in the post-pandemic scenario. Today, most couples and families are seeking luxury birdwatching packages and plans that allow them to find, observe and identify birds for educational and recreational purposes. Hence, many tour operators like Far & Wild Travel offer curated luxury birdwatching packages that are designed around the needs of bird enthusiasts and families.
Here are the top 6 popular luxury birdwatching destinations in Africa.
Kenya
When you are thinking of luxury birdwatching destinations, Kenya is among the prime destinations in Africa that offer the best experiences. The best part about Kenya is that you can find birds here throughout the year and therefore you can come here at any given time of the year. From March to May, you can find plenty of swallows, waders and terns that are found in different areas, while the months of June and July initiates the breeding season for various weavers and bishops and many South African migrating birds. The month of October brings various species of palearctic migrating birds to the inland shorelines and marine areas of Kenya. You can find some great luxury birdwatching experiences at Lake Magadi where you can watch the flamingos.
Uganda
Uganda provides a great diversity of birds and migrant birds in Africa and therefore it remains one of the top spots for luxury birdwatching travelers. With more than 1000 recorded bird species you can find around 50 percent of Africa’s bird species here. Also, Uganda has the highest concentration of birds per square kilometer in Africa making it an ideal birdwatching destination for bird enthusiasts. To begin with, you can spot a variety of birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can spot Shoebills here at the Mabamba Bay Wetland and Makanaga Wetland. Uganda is also home to bird species like Green Breasted Pitta, Karamoja Apalis, Black Bee-Eater, African Green Broadbill, Jameson’s Antpecker, Rwenzori Turaco and many more. You can also find more birds as you go safari at Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Semuliki National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kibale National Park.
Tanzania
If you are interested in African destinations for luxury birdwatching, Tanzania has plenty to offer. However, the best time to enjoy birdwatching in Tanzania is when the majority of the species are in breeding plumage. Hence, the months of November to May are ideal for those looking to make the most of the trip. In the grasslands of Tanzania, you can watch various birds like Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Cinnamon Chested Bee-Eater, White-Starred Robin, and Brown Woodland-Warbler. As you move in the Tarangire National Park you can find Ashy Starling, Rufous-Tailed Weaver, Red-necked and Yellow-necked Francolins. The Lake Manyara National Park is where you can find Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill and African swamphens, herons and egrets.
South Africa
South Africa has always been a country blessed with rich wildlife. Hence, it is an ideal destination for luxury birdwatching travelers. To begin with, you can find some birds in the beautiful patch of Afromontane Forest that is home to species like Bush Blackcap, Emerald Cuckoo, Narina Trogon and Orange Ground-Thrush. Further, you can find more species in the Blue Swallow Grasslands like Stripped Flufftail and Blue Swallow. As you move towards Hazyview you can spot Barratt’s Warbler and Cape Rock-Thrush. The legendary Kruger National Park also holds various species of birds Saddle-billed Storks and White-Crowned Lapwings. You can also pick a self-drive safari trip in Kruger National Park. On the West Coast, you can find resident shorebirds like Chestnut-banded Plover, Black Harrier and Large-Billed Lark and Southern Black Korhaan. Apart from the Kruger National Park, the Mkhuze Game Reserve is a great place to spot Blue-Mantled Crested Flycatcher, Broad-billed Rollers and Banded Snake-Eagles. You can also watch Lesser Flamingos and other water birds at the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This wetland is seasonally flooded and is home to African Pygmy-Goose, Short-Tailed Pipit, and Rosy-Throated Longclaws. The slopes of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens can also provide you with a variety of indigenous bird species like Cape Sugarbird and Orange-Breasted Sunbirds.
Zambia
With more than 700 species of birds, Zambia is a hotbed for many luxury birdwatching travelers. With a diverse ecosystem across the nation, Zambia has emerged as one of the top destinations for bird and wildlife lovers. The Lochinvar National Park is one of the top spots for bird enthusiasts where they can watch water birds in large concentrations. Here you can find African Skimmer, Greater Flamingo, Marabou Stork, Wattled Crane and Caspian Tern. The wet and summer months from November to April are the most preferred ones. On the other hand, you can also watch more species at the South Luangwa National Park where you can witness saddle bills, herons, red-face yellow-billed storks, and various palearctic migrants from Europe. You can find vibrant carmine bee-eaters, hueglins robins and fish eagles around the swamp areas. With plenty of wetlands and swamps, Zambia also attracts a variety of waterfowls, herons, storks, and ibises that you can watch here.
Rwanda
Rwanda is quickly becoming one of the top places for luxury birdwatchers with its massive variety of bird species. With a diverse ecosystem and geography, Rwanda is a perfect place for resident and migrant birds. Rwanda’s breathtaking grassy hills and misty volcanoes make a perfect and unique location for luxury birdwatching travelers. During the winter months of December to February, Rwanda is home to palearctic migrants that settle here. While you can find many birds in Kigali City, the Albertine Eco-region is the most popular choice for birdwatchers in Rwanda. When you are in Kigali you can spot birds like Brown Throated Wattle Eye, African Rock Pigeon, Cardinal Woodpecker, Hadada Ibis, Tawny-Flanked Prinia and many others. Nyungwe National Park is home to more than 300 species of birds like Albertine Owlet, Rwenzori Batis, Handsome Spurfowl, Regal Sunbird, Red-Collared Babbler, and Blue-Headed Sunbird. Rwanda also has plenty of wetlands of which Akanyaru Wetland is a great place to spot Pallid Harrier, Madagascar Squacco Heron, Lesser Swamp, Ruaha Chat, and White-Collared Oliveback.
