06 Mar Exploring Africa’s Great Birding & Wildlife Destinations – A Year in Review
34 tours – 11 countries – hundreds of days in the field
As we approach ten years of Wild Birding this July, it felt like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the past twelve months in the field.
It has been a remarkable year. Over the past year alone, our tours have taken guests across eleven countries and through some of the most extraordinary birding landscapes on the continent – from the Rift Valley lakes of Kenya and the forests of Uganda, to the highlands of Ethiopia and the remote island endemics of São Tomé and Príncipe.
While every tour is different, what connects them all is a shared passion for birds, wildlife, and the wild places that make these experiences so special.
Over the past twelve months, our guests have explored wetlands, grasslands, savannas, ancient forests, highland plateaus, and remote tropical islands. In doing so, they have encountered an extraordinary range of birdlife and wildlife across Africa.
Our Year in Numbers
Looking back over the past year gives a fascinating snapshot of where Wild Birding has been operating across Africa.
Over the past twelve months, we have:
- Run 34 tours
- Travelled across 11 countries
- Hosted more than 80 guests
- Spent hundreds of days in the field
The majority of our tours remain private and tailor-made, allowing us to design itineraries around specific birding or wildlife goals, photography interests, or broader wildlife experiences. From short, focused wildlife and birding trips to multi-week expeditions across entire regions, each itinerary is carefully crafted with the help of exceptional local guides.
Where We Visited This Year
From East Africa’s famous Rift Valley lakes and savannas to the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa and the volcanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea, each destination offers a completely different birding and wildlife experience in some of the wildest places on earth.
A map here showing these eleven destinations provides a wonderful visual impression of just how diverse the year has been.
Wildlife & Birding Moments That Defined the Year
Across these tours our guests encountered an extraordinary range of wildlife, from some of Africa’s most sought-after bird species to remarkable mammal encounters that few travellers ever experience. A few moments in particular capture the diversity of habitats and wildlife from the past year.
Shoebill – Uganda
Few birds capture the imagination quite like the Shoebill. Observing this prehistoric-looking species in Uganda’s papyrus wetlands remains one of Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife encounters. Calm patience in the swamps is often rewarded with remarkably close views of this extraordinary bird.
Sharpe’s Longclaw – Kenya
Kenya’s Kinangop Plateau remains one of the best places to search for the endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw. Restricted to the highland grasslands of central Kenya, this striking species is always a highlight for visiting birders and a reminder of the importance of protecting these fragile habitats.
Yellow-headed Picathartes – Ghana
West Africa offers a completely different birding experience, and few species are as extraordinary as the Yellow-headed Picathartes. Found in the forests of Ghana, this remarkable bird nests on rock faces deep within the forest and is one of Africa’s most sought-after birding encounters.
Dapple-throat – Tanzania
The forests of Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains hold some of the most range-restricted birds on the continent. Among the most coveted is the elusive Dapple-throat, a secretive forest species that rewards careful and patient birding in these ancient mountain forests.
Bongo in the Aberdare Forest – Kenya
Among the most special wildlife encounters of the year were sightings of the elusive Bongo in Kenya’s Aberdare forests. This magnificent forest antelope is rarely seen in the wild, and observing one moving quietly through the dense montane forest is a moment few visitors forget.
Forest Elephants of Arabuko-Sokoke – Kenya
Along Kenya’s coast, the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest provides one of East Africa’s most fascinating habitats. While famous for its endemic birds, the forest is also home to shy populations of forest elephants that occasionally emerge silently from the woodland, creating an unforgettable encounter.
African Wild Dogs in the Okavango – Botswana
In Botswana’s Okavango Delta, sightings of African Wild Dogs were among the most exciting wildlife moments of the year. These highly social and intelligent predators are among Africa’s most endangered carnivores and watching a pack moving through the delta landscape is a thrilling experience.
Honey Badgers – Zimbabwe
Few animals have the reputation of the Honey Badger. Known for its fearless behaviour and remarkable tenacity, this elusive mammal proved to be one of the most memorable wildlife sightings of the year during night drives (and even raiding the camp’s food supplies!) in Zimbabwe.
A Wide Range of Interests
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the past year has been working with guests who share a love of nature in many different ways.
While a number of tours were designed for dedicated birders seeking particular species or regional endemics, many others combined birding with broader wildlife experiences. In fact, a large proportion of our guests come to us because they are curious about birding but are relatively new to it.
For these travellers, a mixed wildlife and birding safari works particularly well. Africa’s landscapes are rich with wildlife, and birds form a natural and fascinating part of the experience. Many guests begin a tour primarily interested in the big mammals, only to discover that they become increasingly engaged with the birds as the journey unfolds.
Over the past year, our tours broadly included:
- Serious birding expeditions – focused on endemic species and specialist birding destinations.
- Mixed birding and wildlife safaris – combining birding with classic safari experiences, often ideal for guests new to birding.
- Bird and wildlife photography tours – slower-paced itineraries designed for observation and photography.
- Luxury and family safaris – combining wildlife, birding, and exceptional accommodation.
The People Behind the Tours
None of this would be possible without the exceptional guides we work with across Africa.
Their deep knowledge of birds, habitats, and wildlife behaviour plays a vital role in every successful tour. It has also been a pleasure to welcome many returning guests over the past year, alongside new travellers discovering Africa’s birds for the first time.
A Proud Moment for Wild Birding – The Telegraph Feature
Another highlight of the year came when Wild Birding was featured in the United Kingdom’s Telegraph newspaper, recognising the growing interest in specialist birding and wildlife safaris across Africa.
For a small company that began with a simple passion for birds and wild places, it was a proud moment and a reminder of how far the journey has come.
Looking Ahead – Nearly Ten Years of Wild Birding
As Wild Birding approaches its tenth anniversary this July, it feels particularly special to reflect on a year like this.
What began in 2016 as a small specialist operation focused largely on Kenya has gradually grown into a network of carefully designed birding tours across Africa and beyond.
Yet the philosophy remains exactly the same as it was at the beginning – thoughtful itineraries, exceptional local guiding, and a genuine passion for birds and the remarkable landscapes they inhabit.
Finally, a sincere thank you to all of our guests, guides, and partners who travelled with us over the past year.
Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and shared love of wildlife are what make these journeys possible.
We look forward to many more years exploring Africa’s great birding destinations together.
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