Bird Watching Safaris in Zimbabwe.

Bird Watching Safaris in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe is reported to contain approximately 700 bird species, all of which live in various settings throughout the nation. It should be emphasized, however, that Zimbabwe’s birding is hardly well-known, with only approximately eight to ten tour guides who are knowledgeable in birds.

Bird Watching Destinations in Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls

With a recorded number of 470 bird species found in the park, this is one of the best birding spots in Zimbabwe. The best time to visit is during the rainy summer season, as birds are attracted to the various swamps, water bodies, and thick vegetation, which act as habitats and also provide both food and water for the birds.

The majority of the birds may be seen on the Zambezi River bank as they lounge around in quest of food and water. If you want to see the Victoria Falls, you must travel with a tour guide, and you should be aware that there are no birds to watch during the winter.

The African paradise flycatcher, African fish Eagle, Verreaux’s black Eagle, Lilac breasted Roller, little egrets, Fork billed Drongo, Marabou stork, and white browed sparrow weaver are some of the endemic and migratory bird species in Victoria Falls.

Matobo National Park

There are around 380 bird species documented in Matobo National Park. It is a small park with nicely established birding pathways that may be taken both while birding and while driving through. The park features a large number of raptors, which have become an appealing tourist attraction, as well as nine nocturnal bird species that have been reported.

The Black collared barbet, Coqui Francolin, Black shouldered kite, Augur buzzard, Black Eagle, Mocking cliff chat, African fish Eagle, African crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Brown snake Eagle, and Verreaux’s Eagles are among the several bird species. The best time to visit this park is from November to April as many birds can be seen during this time including the migratory birds.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park contains 420 documented bird species and is well-known for its enormous number of raptors. The Racket-tailed roller, the Southern ground Hornbill, the Martial eagle, the pearl spotted Owlet, Kori Bustard, the Dickenson’s Kestrel, the yellow billed kite, the carmine bee-eater, the cape griffon, the yellow crimson breasted shrike, Bradfield’s hornbill, the Rufous naped lark, and Bruchell’s sandgro to mention but a few.

Harare Botanical Gardens

Harare Botanical Gardens, located virtually adjacent to the city center, has three types of woodland that serve as bird habitats: Lowveld Tree savannah, Zimbabwean Rainforest, and Miombo acacia.

Some of the bird species that migrate from Europe, South and Central Africa are the Bronze winged cursors, Red throated twin spot, Whyte’s Barbets, White breasted cuckoo shrike, Black throated Wattle eye, Miombo tit, tinkerbird, Green backed woodpeckers, and Dusky Larks.

Mana Pools National Park

Over 380 bird species have been documented in the Mana Pools, making it a popular birding destination in Zimbabwe. Mana Pools features a variety of bird habitats, including savannah grasslands, the Escarpment, and forests.

Mana Pools is encircled by the Zambezi River and most bird species may be seen lazing along the river’s banks and in the various four pools, which are usually flooded, especially when it rains significantly during the wet season.

There are many water birds and other dry land species in the region, including the Nyasa lovebird, Carmine bee-eaters, African skimmer, rufous bellied heron, long toed lapwing, Dwarf bittern, Red necked falcon, and Pel’s fishing owl.

Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens

These are in Zimbabwe and are known to be under the administration of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management. The botanical gardens are home to a diverse range of bird species, particularly nectar-eating birds.

You may go bird watching here all year, but the ideal time to do so is from June to August, when you will be able to see a wide variety of bird species. The many bird habitats include woods, marshes, and various grasses.

Birds such as the Grey rumped swallow, Miombo double collared sunbird, Cattle Egret, Greater blue eared starling, copper sunbird, spotted creeper, violet backed sunbird, Abdim’s stork, Red faced Crombec, Amethyst sunbird, southern Hyliota, and yellow bellied Eremomela can be found only 41 kilometers from the city center.

The Honde Valley

The Pallid Honey guide, Red faced Crimsoning, Black winged Bishop, Lesser seedcracker, Moustached grass warbler, Red throated twin spot, Green backed wood pecker, Anchieta’s Tchagra, and the rare swift are among the many bird species found in the Honde valley.

Best Time for Bird Watching Safaris in Zimbabwe.

The greatest time to visit Zimbabwe for bird viewing is from October to March, as this is when the majority of immigrant birds arrive. Binoculars, identification guides, hides, and telescopes are among the items you may require while birding.