Birding in Africa isn’t just about spotting new species. It’s about stepping into ecosystems where some of the world’s rarest, most threatened and most astonishing birds still survive. These species carry stories: some are endangered, some found nowhere else on Earth, and some so elusive that entire journeys are planned around seeing them. We take you into wilderness areas where rare birds still thrive thanks to strong conservation, intact habitats and communities who care for the land.

Here’s where to find Africa’s most remarkable birds and why they are so special.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

A pristine inland wetland of floodplains, islands and crystal-clear channels.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Pel’s Fishing Owl – A legendary, range-restricted owl dependent on undisturbed riverine forest
• Wattled Crane – Endangered and extremely sensitive to habitat loss, with the Delta holding one of its last strong populations
• Slaty Egret – Near-endemic to Botswana and tied to very specific wetland conditions
• African Skimmer – Vulnerable species that depends on clean, undisturbed sandbanks for breeding

Timbavati and Greater Kruger, South Africa

A mix of woodland, open plains and riverbeds that create perfect conditions for rare and charismatic birds.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Southern Ground-Hornbill – Endangered and culturally significant, with slow breeding that makes each sighting meaningful
• Saddle-billed Stork – A vulnerable wetland specialist needing large, untouched marsh areas
• Martial Eagle – Africa’s largest eagle, now endangered due to habitat loss and electrical infrastructure threats
• Pennant-winged Nightjar – A striking summer migrant known for its dramatic breeding display

Kenya’s Rift Valley and Laikipia

A landscape shaped by ancient lakes and volcanic forces, home to endemics and highly localised species.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Jackson’s Widowbird – A species with spectacular breeding plumage tied to healthy grasslands
• Grey-crested Helmetshrike – A near-endemic bird that moves in tight social groups and is sensitive to habitat changes
• Hinde’s Babbler – A vulnerable Kenyan endemic limited to dense thicket habitat
• Maccoa Duck – A threatened diving duck that struggles where wetlands are degraded

Uganda’s Albertine Rift and Bwindi Forest

One of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, filled with ancient montane forest.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Rwenzori Turaco – A brilliantly coloured endemic living only in high-altitude forest
• Green-breasted Pitta – A famously elusive bird that relies on intact tropical forest
• African Green Broadbill – A globally threatened species found in only a few surviving forests
• Grauer’s Swamp Warbler – An endangered and extremely habitat-restricted species

Namibia’s Desert Wilderness

A land of dunes, gravel plains and open horizons where birds have evolved extraordinary desert adaptations.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Dune Lark – Namibia’s only true endemic, found nowhere else on Earth
• Benguela Long-billed Lark – A near-endemic specialist of arid plains
• Rüppell’s Korhaan – A striking and threatened desert species sensitive to disturbance
• Rosy-faced Lovebird – A tough, desert-adapted parrot known for its tight social bonds

Zambia’s Luangwa Valley

A wild, remote valley of riverine forest, mopane woodland and seasonal lagoons.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• African Pitta – One of Africa’s most sought-after birds, visible only during a brief breeding display period
• Böhm’s Bee-eater – A beautifully coloured species restricted to riverine forest
• Crowned Crane – A vulnerable wetland species tied to healthy marsh systems
• Racket-tailed Roller – A rare species associated with specific miombo and mopane woodland

Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Famous for the migration, but equally extraordinary for rare and threatened birdlife.

Rare and special birds, and why they matter:
• Fischer’s Lovebird – A near-endemic parrot with a vulnerable conservation status
• Grey-crested Helmetshrike – Found in limited acacia habitats and often overlooked
• Secretarybird – Endangered and declining quickly due to habitat conversion
• Kori Bustard – The world’s heaviest flying bird, sensitive to disturbance and slow to breed

Why Birding With ABS Feels Different

We focus on more than just sightings. ABS takes you into intact ecosystems where rare birds still survive because habitats are healthy, conservation is active and communities are part of the story. It is slow and wilderness-led travel anchored in respect for the places we explore.