Time to finally take the plunge and fulfill my only life-long dream and go to Africa.
I’ve decided to celebrate my birthday there in June 2020. In my mind I’ve always thought that I’d have the focus of the trip be the Big 5. But, while I definitely want those on my tour, I realize that my main point of interest is birding.
I want to see Barbets, Rollers, Bee eaters and, of course Shoebills. I like birds of prey and song birds and parrots. I’m not too interested in shore birds but would be fine with them being included in the trip. In addition to the Big 5, I would absolutely love to see African Wild Dogs (maybe even more than the 5 tbh).
Walking tours sound delightful. I would be happy staying in tents but would also enjoy maybe one night in some place like Giraffe Manor. I want an adult-only group and my budget is $10,000. I’d like to stay for a minimum of 1 week not including travel time between Africa and Canada.
I also am trying to find someone who would like to go with me. I’ve asked a few friends/relatives but, so far, no takers.
I know that there are many well-traveled people here so I’m hoping someone has some opinions for me.
I can recommend these guys (I was at uni with Keith Barnes, he knows his stuff). For your list, you’ll want one of theirEast Africantours, I think, although they also do custom individual ones, with your budget I’m sure they could put together a great itinerary for you.
Pleasure. Hope you have a great trip. You might also want to PM Colibri directly - I know he’s done at least one African trip and more importantly, he’s an actual ornithologist, he might have some other recommendations.
My wife’s parents are enthusiastic bird watchers. Based on their experience, I’d recommend asking Bird Life Botswana (the Okavango delta swamps in the north are good for all types of game and very good for birds) - http://www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw/ and Bird Life South Africa https://www.birdlife.org.za/ for information.
Else, on my regular walk down the fairly polluted Liesbeck River in Cape Town, I often, dependent on season, see Spoonbills, Sacred Ibis, Lesser Flamingos and Great White Pelicans, amongst others. It’s surprising how many birds there are in the city. Barbets, Rollers, Bee eaters are all commonly seen on the mountain sides.
For wild dogs, you’ll probably need to go to the Okavango Delta (Botswana) or Kruger National Park (in South Africa) which are also excellent places for the big 5 - but again, when I went to both places with the in-laws, the sheer number of bird species was incredible and as someone who previously could only identify raptor/owl/small brown bird, very eye opening to travel with enthusiasts.
The countries you will want to look at are Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana (Okavango only) and South Africa (Kruger and northern KwaZulu-Natal only).
All four countries have a well-established tourism industry and infrastructure, have plenty of opportunities for viewing the Big 5 (and other game) and a prolific birdlife.
June is the best month for game viewing but not for birding; in most locations sping (October/November) would be the best time.
The rest of Botswana and South Africa do offer plentiful birding opportunities, but I get the impression that you are looking to go birding in savannah habitat, not the semi-arid Karoo or the open sea.
Man, this thread is making me nostalgic for Botswana and Tanzania. What beautiful places to go for wildlife safaris. Even if you’re not a birder, you can’t help but become one. One glimpse of a lilac-breasted roller or a blue turaco just captivates you. Saw wild dogs in Botswana and followed them on the chase. Our safari there in the 90s was with Wilderness Safaris, who were outstanding and had very knowledgeable guides.
I think my suggestions have already been outclassed, but I can personally recommend the UK travel company Exodus, exodus.co.uk, who do several nature tours in Africa. I’ve also been impressed by NatureTrek, naturetrek.co.uk, although I haven’t travelled with them yet and they are on the pricier side. If the above suggestions don’t pan out, or if you’re looking for a wider base of suggestions, there you go.
Based on all the excellent advice/links so far, I realize two things - I want to see wild dogs more than the big 5 so I’ll have to be open to different locations and I can’t be set on going in June.
In MrDibble’s links, the tours are in April/March and they say that’s the best time to see birds but:
Either month is fine with me but is one actually better than the other?
I have the feeling this is going to be quite difficult to choose when/where to go but every link is so amazing and I think “yeah! I’ll go on that one!” and then the same thing with the next link…
I’m only going to be able to do this once so I want to do it right.
It will be different from location to location; however the birding tour in March /April is “timed to coincide with the arrival of masses of wildebeest in the central Serengeti”.
Spring is generally the best time, as that is when migrants start to arrive and others are in full breeding plumage. Many birds are also more active and easier to locate. There may be other considerations at play - parts of the Okavango are inaccessible January -March.
(BTW, “migrants” include intra-African migrants such as African Paradise Flycatcher and Redchested Cuckoo - not just Barn Swallows and Whimbrels!)
However, if you really really want to see African Wild Dogs as well, then southern Tanzania (Selous National Park - the Serengeti is in the north.) and South Africa’s Kruger National Park are the two options you should be considering. (They are found elsewhere, but your chances of seeing them are much lower.)
The Kruger is your best bet for many cool birds + wild dogs, I’d say, but you’re not going to see shoebillsand wild dogs in one place very easily, and you kind of did emphasize shoebills in your OP.
Personally, I’d say skip the shoebills, and do the South Africa (Western Cape + Kruger) trip by the guys I linked above. You won’t feel the lack, I think.
I don’t think that one’s for me. I live on Vancouver Island so I’ve been surrounded by shore birds my whole life. While they’re just as awesome they no longer get an “ooohh ahhhh” from me . Boobies and Gannets would be fantastic but that’s for another trip!
Penguins - they’re OK but they just don’t do it for me. Penguins and Pandas - I think I’m the only person alive who thinks “meh” about them.
I really want to see Shoebills. They’re so freaking awesome looking! I think I need to have a Must list and a Wish list.
Must:
Shoebills, Rollers, Bee eaters, Barbets
Wild dogs
Elephants
Lions
No kids
Some walking/hiking days
Wish:
Wild dogs are scarce and not everyone gets to see them. One of the people in our group was a professional photographer. He’d been there three weeks and not seen a one. We went out our first day and spotted a hunting pack (actually, I spotted them!) and off we went after them. If they’re denning, then they’re difficult to find. The Okavango delta is great during the dry season, as the trucks can go off-road to find critters. In the rainy season, it’s all flooded and access is far more restricted.
. Boobies and Gannets would be fantastic but that’s for another trip!
