Although 2019 seems to be racing away from us, there’s still time to book your next birding holiday. In this article, we list the top 10 bird watching destinations for 2019.
#1 Tanzania
Tanzania is the largest of the Eastern African countries, with a land area of 945,097 square kilometres (of which 25% is gazetted as protected areas). To draw you a picture, Tanzania is four times larger than Great Britain and seven times larger than England.
Tanzania has one of the largest species lists of any African country:
- 800+ resident species
- 200 regular migrants, generally present from November to April
- 22 species are endemic (Tanzania only)
- 43 species are near-endemic (Tanzania and neighbouring countries only).
Keen to experience a taste (or full-on smorgasbord) of Tanzania? Get in touch with Tanzania Birding to find out more about our Tanzania tours: https://www.tanzaniabirding.com/contactus.html.
#2 Peru
Recommended by National Geographic, Peru’s mountains and jungle are begging to be explored by birders. In some areas, the mid-altitude ranges allow for lowland and mountain birds to occur together. Peru is home to 500+ bird species.
#3 Colombia
With 1,850 species and counting, Colombia is the most bird-rich country in the world. From wildlife-rich wetlands to tropical plains as well as the Andean mountains, the country is home to a wide array of habitats and bird species. Must-see birds include the scores of hummingbirds, Jabiru, a towering stork, and the critically endangered Glittering Starfrontlet.
#4 Spain
Spain’s diverse landscape and varied habitats make this European country a birder’s paradise. Species include Lammergeiers, Great and Little Bustards, Calandra Larks, migrating raptors and flocks of Greater Flamingos.
#5 Australia
Popular birding destinations in Australia include:
- Queensland – for South Cassowary (the world’s third-tallest bird) and Satin Bowerbird
- Melbourne – for Superb Lyrebird
- South Australia – for the neon and cobalt Splendid Fairywren
- The island of Tasmania – with its dozen endemic birds
#6 The Gambia
A week-long trip to the Gambia typically offers 270 species, many of which burst with rainbow colours – Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters, Yellow-crowned Gonoleks, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatchers, Egyptian Plovers and more.
#7 England
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Bempton Cliffs is home to England’s biggest seabird colony. If you visit in spring or summer next year, you could get enchantingly close to Gannets, Puffins and Kittiwakes.
#8 Botswana
The famous Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s best destinations for wildlife watching. These expansive wetlands are home to African Pygmy Geese, African Skimmers and the Western Banded Snake Eagle. Birdwatching in Botswana’s drier east also has its charms, where you may see species such as the Orange River Francolin and Boulder Chat.
Find out more about our Southern Africa tours: https://www.tanzaniabirding.com/south-africa/namibia-botswana-zambia/
#9 Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that is easily explored by the visiting birdwatcher, with a number of ecolodges in and around protected areas. Be amazed by the dancing manakins, expect to be deafened by the song of Three-wattled Bellbird and go on a search for the rare Mangrove Hummingbird.
#10 Chilean Patagonia
Last year, the Chilean government expanded the country’s protected areas by an area almost the size of Switzerland. A large proportion of this land can be found in Patagonia, an area with fantastic birding, with species including the mighty Andean condor, the strange Magellanic Plover, world’s southernmost-living hummingbird and parrot and colonies of King and Magellanic penguins.
What are you waiting for?
There’s so much to explore and so many species to see! Choosing where to go is the hard part. If you have your heart set on Africa, we can help! Get in touch to find out more about our beautiful, exotic and one-of-a-kind birding destinations: https://www.tanzaniabirding.com/contactus.html.