Our Botswana Birding Safaris are below this introductionary text.

 We can custom design your Birding Safari to South Africa or Botswana, and even I have managed to see Pells Owl twice , with some good Birding Guides.

Botswana is an absolutely awesome game-viewing destination. With our many different biomes, and vast protected areas, we have more variety and sheer abundance of game than almost anywhere else on earth.

What is the best time of the year to go birding in Botswana?

In terms of birding, let it be said at the outset, there is no bad time of the year to visit this country.

The most productive time of the year in which to see birds (when the number of bird species is at its highest with migratory species having arrived to join Botswana’s resident species) is late November to March.

Over 150 different species may be recorded in a day at this time. But remember: birding in the dry months can still be good as certain species of woodland birds, in particular the passerines, having completed their breeding during the rains, form multi-species “bird parties” which forage together.

The north of the country is especially rich in bird life with around 450 species having been recorded in the northern Chobe National Park and surrounding areas and in the Okavango Delta. As indicated above, the summer months, November to March (rainy season) provide the best birding, when migrants from the northern hemisphere have arrived in good numbers and have joined the resident species, many of which are engaged in breeding. Bird watchers, with a good guide, may record 150 or more species in a day during this season. At other times of the year, 100+ species in a day is quite possible.

In the northern Chobe/Kasane area one team of four birders recorded 290 species in January 2001 within a radius of 50 km in 24 hectic hours, still a regional record.

Birding in the open wetlands and savannas of Botswana is generally very satisfactory with the views of birds easier and better than rainforest regions where thick vegetation and high forest canopies seriously limit sightings. Birders will also be impressed by the sheer abundance of certain species (e.g. francolins, doves, hornbills, bulbuls, weavers, Blue Waxbills) Botswana boasts the species occurring in the largest flocks anywhere (Red-billed Quelea, sometimes in aggregations of several million); the heaviest flying bird (the Kori Bustard) and, of course, the largest bird of all (the Ostrich).  The region has an array of highly colourful species, too, amongst which one may include Green-Pigeons, Malachite and Woodland Kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, orioles, Crimson-breasted Shrikes, sunbirds, bishops and waxbills.

The best birding areas in Botswana are in the north of the country, in the north Chobe/Kasane area, in and around the Okavango Delta (including Moremi Game Reserve) and in the Makgadikgadi Pans. These, really, are the areas to concentrate on, even if reasonable birding can be enjoyed in other regions.

Family Safaris

Children of all ages are welcome guests at many of South Africa’s Safari private game lodges. You will find specially structured children’s programmes at many lodges.

The informed child of today is the environmentally responsible traveller of the future. We have put together a programme, which includes a wide range of South Africa Safari experiences with exciting interactive conservation learning opportunities for children of all ages. Our children will be left in the more-than-capable hands of rangers and trackers who delight in looking after your children for the duration of your stay.