Africa is home to over 2,300 bird species, of which 64% are endemic to the continent. We have put together a list of Africa’s top birding destinations, where you can expect to see remarkable bird species such as African fish eagle, African pygmy-kingfisher, Böhm’s bee-eater, great cormorant, golden oriole, grey crowned crane, hooded vulture, lilac-breasted roller, silvery-cheeked hornbill, white-bellied go-away bird, and white-faced duck.
Coincidentally, these destinations also offer excellent wildlife viewing spots. You can watch the great wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara and Serengeti, go gorilla tracking in the heart of Uganda, or explore marine life in the coastal getaways.
- Kenya: Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Kakamega Forest, Kinangop Plateau, Lake Baringo, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara National Reserve, Mida Creek, Mt Kenya National Park, Nairobi National Park, Samburu & Buffalo Springs National Reserve.
- Tanzania: Selous National Park, Serengeti Plains, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Arusha National Park, Mahale Mountain National Park, Gombe National Park, Katavi National Park.
- Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mabamba Bay Wetland, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Semuliki National Park.
- Zambia: Lochinvar National Park, Lower Zambezi
- Botswana: Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Bird Sanctuary, Kalhari, Khutse Game Reserve, Lake Ngami, Savuti Marsh.
- Madagascar: Analamazaotra Reserve, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Nosy Ve, Andasibe National Park, Mantadia National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, Lake Tsarasaotra, Ampijoroa Forest Station, The Mangoky-Ihotry wetland complex.
- Namibia: Caprivi Strip, Etosha National Park, Ongava Private Game Reserve, Namib Desert, Spitzkoppe, Walvis Bay, Waterberg Plateau National Park.
- South Africa: Kruger National Park, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Mkhuze Game Reserve, Cape Coast, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Wakkerstroom, iSimangaliso Wetland Park. National Park, South Luangwa National Park.
- Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park Mana Pools National Park.