Some come to Africa to see the wildlife and to enjoy the scenery while others come here specifically to see the amazing birds which are indigenous to the continent. In an act known as birding, adventurers go on a safari in the hopes of seeing all sorts of incredibly birds, often devoting whole days to just watching and waiting for that one unforgettable bird sighting.
Our corner of Africa has a wonderful variety of birds.
Some are raptors, quite stunning in their majestic appearance, while others are colourful and vibrant, hard to miss and always a lovely sight to see. When you are travelling with the hope of spotting all kinds of birds, there are some things that can make the experience not only more enjoyable but also a lot more effective, enabling you to see more and actually get something out of the experience.
Birding might be a highly enjoyable pastime for some, but it is not the sort of thing that everyone can enjoy. Unless you have a real love for birds, spending your whole safari dedicated to just looking for birds is probably not going to be your idea of a good time. But if you want to enjoy a safari with a spot of bird watching, these handy tips might come in useful.
Learning to be patient
Bird watching is something that requires a lot of patience. Sometimes the best way to catch sight of birds is to sit in one place for hours on end and wait for them to come to you. This can mean that you will need to be incredibly patient during your safari. For this reason, some birders like to spend their time sitting in a bird hide.
Other than having to be quite patient, here’s a couple of other tips to keep in mind.
- Invest in binoculars
All bird sightings are usually in the distance or up high in a tree or on a hill. While you will be able to make out that it is a bird, you will probably have a hard time identifying what bird it is unless they have a good pair of binoculars. Binoculars in general are quite handy to have while on a safari.
- Know your birds
The Balule area is home to all sorts of birds and it helps to look up what you can expect to see. Read up about which birds are common to the area and learn a little about how to identify them.
- Get a bird book
Having a bird guide book is always a great idea, especially as sometimes you won’t have signal on your phone so you won’t be able to Google it. Having a book to refer to might be old school but it is also a lot of fun to rummage through the pages, looking for a bird that matches the description you see in your book. Your book should also have some helpful images, making the identification easier.
If you are planning an African safari, you can book your luxury trip with us. We have some of the best accommodation and a lot of activities to keep you busy.
