Zambezi River Birdwatching Safari by boat
Short description: Explore the vast Zambezi River by boat in search of special birds that are unique to this habitat. Besides birding there is a high chance to see other animals such as hippos and crocodiles.
Activity Highlights:
- See plenty of aquatic and riverine birds as well as crocodiles, hippos and other mammals.
- Explore the Zambezi River in search of avian specialities such as African Finfoot, Rock Pratincole and African Skimmer.
- Experience the natural beauty of the vast Zambezi River that makes for wonderful sunsets in the evening.
Included: Expert guide specialised in birdwatching, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Excluded: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Duration & Price:
3-hours boat tour: 75 USD (per person)
2-hours boat tour: 50 USD (per person)
To rent your private boat we need at least 2 people. If you are only 1 person you can join a group tour or pay the price of 2 people to have your private boat. If you are more than 3 people, we can give you a discount on the above prices. Please contact us directly to get a more specific quote tailored to your requirements.
Full description:
This tour offers an unforgettable experience for both birders and wildlife enthusiasts. The vast Zambezi River splits into many small waterways and islands. This natural river system hosts many bird species. Among the common bird species you can expect are White-faced Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, Spur-Winged Goose, Water Thick-knee, Blacksmith Lapwing, African Openbill, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, Goliath Heron, Great / Intermediate / Little Egret, African Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, African Fish-Eagle and Pied Kingfisher.
What makes the Zambezi River system unique are the rare species. These special and more elusive species in southern Africa often only occur along the Zambezi River. The African Finfoot is certainly one of the star species that most birders will want to see. It usually can be found along the overhanging branches at the river shore. This is where you can also find White-backed Night-Heron, Half-collared Kingfisher and Malachite Kingfisher. Rock Pratincole and African Skimmer are one of the most sought-after species for birdwatchers in the area. Both are seasonal migrants and nest on the sandbanks and rocks along the river. Collared Pratincole and Black-winged Pratincole are seasonal migrants from Europe that spend the winter here. If you are lucky, you can spot a spectacular Pel’s Fishing-owl that inhabits the islands on the river. Search the sky for rare birds of prey such as Osprey (migrant), Banded Snake-Eagle, Bat Hawk (at dawn) and Dickinson’s Kestrel. You also have a chance to see the rare Brown-necked Parrot (Gray-headed Parrot).
Besides birds, the Zambezi River system supports healthy populations of hippos and crocodiles, easily seen up close from the boat. You also have a chance to see a variety of mammals that come to the river to drink such as African bush elephants, Cape bushbucks, Impalas and Waterbucks.
Species list birds (species marked with an * are specialities):
White-faced Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna viduata |
Knob-billed Duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos |
Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca |
Spur-winged Goose | Plectropterus gambensis |
Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
Red-eyed Dove | Streptopelia semitorquata |
African Finfoot * | Podica senegalensis |
Water Thick-knee | Burhinus vermiculatus |
Blacksmith Lapwing | Vanellus armatus |
White-headed Lapwing * | Vanellus albiceps |
Collared Pratincole * | Glareola pratincola |
Black-winged Pratincole * | Glareola nordmanni |
Rock Pratincole * | Glareola nuchalis |
African Skimmer * | Rynchops flavirostris |
African Openbill | Anastomus lamelligerus |
Yellow-billed Stork | Mycteria ibis |
African Darter | Anhinga rufa |
Long-tailed Cormorant | Microcarbo africanus |
Pink-backed Pelican | Pelecanus rufescens |
Little Bittern * | Ixobrychus minutus |
Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath |
Great Egret | Ardea alba |
Intermediate Egret | Ardea intermedia |
Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
Black Heron * | Egretta ardesiaca |
Rufous-bellied Heron * | Ardeola rufiventris |
Striated Heron | Butorides striata |
Black-crowned Night-Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax |
White-backed Night-Heron * | Gorsachius leuconotus |
Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus |
African Sacred Ibis | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
Hadada Ibis | Bostrychia hagedash |
Osprey * | Pandion haliaetus |
Hooded Vulture | Necrosyrtes monachus |
Banded Snake-Eagle * | Circaetus cinerascens |
Bat Hawk * | Macheiramphus alcinus |
African Fish-Eagle | Haliaeetus vocifer |
Pel’s Fishing-Owl * | Scotopelia peli |
Half-collared Kingfisher * | Alcedo semitorquata |
Malachite Kingfisher | Corythornis cristatus |
African Pygmy Kingfisher | Ispidina picta |
Giant Kingfisher | Megaceryle maxima |
Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis |
White-fronted Bee-eater | Merops bullockoides |
Dickinson’s Kestrel * | Falco dickinsoni |
Brown-necked Parrot (Gray-headed) * | Poicephalus fuscicollis suahelicus |
Wire-tailed Swallow | Hirundo smithii |
Collared Palm-Thrush * | Cichladusa arquata |