Botswana beauty stretches beyond the big five and beautiful vastly different landscapes. The heart of Botswana is painted with strokes of feathered brilliance, a birdwatcher’s paradise.
As the various seasons arrive, these landscapes transform and with this a new ensemble of wild winged wonders grace the skies. Come, let us help you learn about Botswana’s feathered friends with our birds-eye view.
Summer (November to March): A Carnival of Colors
Under the warm embrace of the summer sun, Botswana becomes a kaleidoscope of hues. The air is filled with vibrantly coloured Carmine Bee-eaters, their crimson feathers, who swoop low alongside the game drive vehicles in the Savute Marsh and enjoy hitchhiking on the back of a Kori Bustard. African Fish Eagles join in with their brown and white hues and their majestic flights in search of food over the Okavango Delta. The Southern Carmine Bee-eaters, with their nest colonies, add a touch of theatre and an incredible photographer’s opportunity as they return to their nests on riverbanks.
Autumn (April to June): Nature’s Tranquil Interlude
As the summer fades, autumn unveils a quieter elegance. African Skimmers gracefully skim the water’s surface along Chobe’s riverbanks, while Pel’s Fishing Owls, with haunting calls and piercing orange eyes, become the mysterious shadows of the Okavango Delta’s waterways.
Winter (July to September): Resident Royalty
In the dry of winter, resident species take back their territories. Lilac-breasted Rollers, with their vivid hues, perch on trees like living gems. Silhouette of Secretary Birds stride through the open grasslands, in search small mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Spring (October): Nature’s Awakening
As winter bids farewell, spring arrives with a burst of life and change. European Rollers migrate through Botswana, painting the skies with their captivating blue hues. Black Herons, with their dark feathers and vibrant bills, add a touch of mystery to the waterways of the Okavango Delta.
Where Feathers Unfold: A Symphony of Habitats
Chobe National Park: The riverfront hums with aquatic birds and migratory wanderers.
Okavango Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, where wetland and water-loving birds find their sanctuary.
Makgadikgadi Pans: A desert canvas dotted with flamingos and desert-loving species.
Moremi Game Reserve: Diverse habitats host an array of raptors and waterbirds.
Botswana’s seasonal birds beckon, inviting you on an avian journey through lush riverbanks, tranquil deltas, and expansive savannahs. Each feather tells a story, and every flap of wings is a tale of Botswana’s skies. As a birdwatching enthusiast, Botswana offers not just a destination but an immersive experience, a journey through the ever-changing birdlife of a land where the language of feathers speaks louder than words.
So, grab your binoculars, listen to the call of the wild, and let the feathers of Botswana take to the skies.