Experiences

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Safari

Tick a lifer with a birding safari

Scan the skies.

There’s nothing quite like that first sighting of a rarity. As you watch and wait, your senses sharpen to detect the smallest movement and sounds. And then it happens. A flash of brilliant red, blues. The tip of a beak. Magic! With exclusive access to over 2.2 million hectares (5.4 million acres) across Africa's most remote and wild areas, you’ll find incredible bird sightings and diversity. You may even tick a lifer or two.

Birding

Brilliant birding adventures assured with Wilderness

Enhance your wildlife safari through birding. Whether you’re a first-timer or after a lifer, there’s something truly special about probing a little deeper into the ecosystem around you. Marvell at the size of a goliath heron (1.3 m). Follow the effortless gliding of an Amur falcon, and be stunned by the rare sighting of a shoebill stork in the wetlands of Akagera National Park.

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

No matter which journey you decide on, you’ll be rewarded with an enriching birding experience - from Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya, (where you’ll find the highest rate of endemism), to the thrilling summer migrants and rarities of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania. You may even spot one of the most sought-after of lifers… the enigmatic Pel’s fishing-owl on a Wilderness adventure.

See all journeys

Journal

Featured stories

Want to learn more about the fascinating and rich birdlife across our regions? Scroll through our collection of feature stories and let them take you to the wetlands of the Delta, the ancient desert in Namibia and the volcanoes of Rwanda in search of rare and wonderful avian specials, just waiting for you to fall in love.

See all Stories

One ecosystem, two safaris: Why the Masai Mara and Serengeti belong together

Discover why the Masai Mara and Serengeti offer distinct safari experiences, and why combining both ...

The Delta in motion: What Botswana’s 2026 high-water season means for safari

Explore how Botswana’s 2026 high-water year is reshaping the Okavango Delta and Linyanti, influencin...

Slow travel in Mana Pools – Zimbabwe unplugged

From Munich to Mana Pools – this busy traveller discovers what it’s like to swap the city life for a...

Birds on safari

Africa is one of the greatest birding destinations on Earth. Across its vast landscapes, from wetlands and floodplains to rainforests and savannas, around 2,500 bird species have been recorded, with hundreds found nowhere else on the planet. Within the protected areas where we operate, each ecosystem reveals its own avian story, making our safaris a true delight for birders.

Travelling with us

Birding with Wilderness

Whether you’re with fellow bird enthusiasts or companions drawn to other aspects of safari, our camps offer activities for every interest. Thoughtfully positioned to blend seamlessly into the environment, they allow for natural birding opportunities, while small visitor numbers and access to remote concessions mean you can explore a rich variety of habitats where birdlife thrives.

Private concessions

Expert guides

Diverse habitats

Bird hides

Private concessions

Wilderness’s private concessions offer birders a rare level of seclusion. Removed from the busier, publicly accessible safari routes, these remote areas offer uninterrupted time to observe Africa’s avian life at your own pace. With fewer vehicles and minimal noise, birds are usually more relaxed, allowing you to witness their natural behaviour.

Expert guides

Our safari guides bring years of field experience and deep local knowledge to every safari. While not solely birding guides, most of our staff hail from the areas surrounding our camps and know these areas intimately. Their insights turn every outing into an educational adventure, revealing stories and details that even experienced birders might miss.

Diverse habitats

From lush wetland to dry savannah, dense forest, and arid desert, the habitats in which our safari camps are based are as diverse as the birdlife. Our itineraries can reveal these contrasting landscapes, whether through combining destinations like Botswana and Namibia, or Rwanda and Tanzania, with each offering unique species and endemics for you to keep growing that life list.

Bird hides

Many of our camps boast purpose-built hides that allow you to get close to wildlife and birds without disturbing them. Ideal for photography or quiet observation, these structures are thoughtfully placed to give you the best views. Furthermore, in certain concessions, night drives with red LED spotlights allow you to see owls, nightjars and other nocturnal birds.

Private concessions

Wilderness’s private concessions offer birders a rare level of seclusion. Removed from the busier, publicly accessible safari routes, these remote areas offer uninterrupted time to observe Africa’s avian life at your own pace. With fewer vehicles and minimal noise, birds are usually more relaxed, allowing you to witness their natural behaviour.

Expert guides

Our safari guides bring years of field experience and deep local knowledge to every safari. While not solely birding guides, most of our staff hail from the areas surrounding our camps and know these areas intimately. Their insights turn every outing into an educational adventure, revealing stories and details that even experienced birders might miss.

Diverse habitats

From lush wetland to dry savannah, dense forest, and arid desert, the habitats in which our safari camps are based are as diverse as the birdlife. Our itineraries can reveal these contrasting landscapes, whether through combining destinations like Botswana and Namibia, or Rwanda and Tanzania, with each offering unique species and endemics for you to keep growing that life list.

Bird hides

Many of our camps boast purpose-built hides that allow you to get close to wildlife and birds without disturbing them. Ideal for photography or quiet observation, these structures are thoughtfully placed to give you the best views. Furthermore, in certain concessions, night drives with red LED spotlights allow you to see owls, nightjars and other nocturnal birds.

A safari highlight

Birding showstoppers

Africa’s birdlife is a visual spectacle. Find a Ross's turaco in a Masai Mara forest , or witness the spectacle of southern carmine bee-eaters flashing crimson in Mana Pools. Scarce species like slaty egret may appear from your Delta boat ride, or you may catch a glimpse of an elusive migrant like African pitta in Rwanda. For birders, these sightings define an exceptional safari.