As we explore different parts of the globe and establish logistic links with local partners, our tour offering will continue to expand. Visit this page regularly when you get that wanderlust!! Should you see a trip that is full, or you’d like to visit in future, or at a different date, please email us on info@bustardsbirding.co.za
September 2026: Caprivi tour
We drive from Johannesburg through Botswana and visit some birding destinations looking for some desired species for the Southern African listers, reaching the southern limit of their ranges here. We’ll visit the Okavango panhandle, think Rock Pratincole, Greater Swamp Warbler, Sharp-tailed Starling, Hartlaub’s Babbler and so on. Even the chance of Northern Carmine Bee-eater which has returned for some years now. We visit the teak woodlands looking for Rufous-bellied Tit, Souza’s Shrike and keeping an eye out for overflying Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle. Then it is on to the Rundu area, visiting some other woodlands and hoping for a chance of the Ross’s Turaco that has also been resident this area for several seasons. Moving back east we’ll stop in Katima Mulilo, Schalow’s Turaco, African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, and then the range extension of what was known as Yellow-throated Leaflove, which is now split into two and our bird is now known as Pale-throated Greenbul. We return through Botswana, stopping over in Nata – on our final day we’ll stop at some granite koppies for a chance of Boulder Chat.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: – book for 2026
November 2026: Zimbabwe: Zambezi Valley Pittas and Lovebirds
The holy grail for Southern African birders is African Pitta, which can be one of the toughest species to track down, due firstly to the limited length of time that it displays, secondly its habitat preference – dense thickets, often in big game areas – just read Chris Goodie’s “Jewel Hunter” where he came back to the vehicle to see leopard tracks over his footprints! We stay in a comfortable lodge, with pittas almost on the doorstep, we actually heard them from the breakfast table in 2023. Added to this it is one of the best places to encounter Lilian’s Lovebird, which touches our region in the valley. Other attractions include Three-banded and Bronze-winged Coursers, Boulder Chat, Dusky Lark, Spinetails, African Wood Owl, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Dickinson’s Kestrel, African Broadbill, African Golden Oriole, Eastern Nicator, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Red-throated Twinspot, etc…..
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: FULL – book for 2026
December 2026: Zimbabwe & Mozambique
This 15 day tour takes the group into the western side of Zimbabwe, through to the miombo around Lake Mutirikwi, near Masvingo, where delights such as Boulder Chat, Wood Pipit, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Miombo Tit & Eastern Miombo Sunbird await us. We then move to the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, staying in the highlands above Mutare. Specials include Swynnerton’s Robin, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Robert’s Warbler, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul and many more. We then drop down into Mozambique, into the famous coutadas – hunting concessions in the winter, birding delights in the summer. We search for several elusive lowland forest specials, such as White-chested Alethe, East Coast Akalat, Lowland Tiny Greenbul, Black-headed Apalis, and if we are very lucky, views of displaying African Pitta. We visit the wetlands around Rio Savane, where specials can include Eurasian Bittern, Lesser Seedcracker, Plain-backed Sunbird, Rufous-bellied Heron, Wattled Crane, Black-rumped Buttonquail, plus several waders such as Greater and Lesser Sand Plover, Terek Sandpiper etc. We also hope for views of more elusive species such as Locustfinch and Blue Quail. We then travel south before returning to South Africa, where target species will include Green Tinkerbird, Olive-headed Weaver, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Crab Plover, and if we are extremely lucky, the recently discovered population of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers or “Steppe” Whimbrel, still considered a subspecies of Whimbrel, but distinctly different (and threatened) enough to perhaps qualify for species status in future.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: – book
January 2027: Kenya short trips (do either one, or both!)
Spaces available: book
February 2027: Sri Lanka, endemics and mammal tour (14 day trip)
This endemic rich island (34 of them!) provides fantastic birding opportunities as well as good mammal sightings, including Asian Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard. Birding starts from the time you leave your hotel with the first endemics being looked for almost straight away.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
March 2026: Eastern Zimbabwe
Flying into Harare, we then proceed to Honde Valley, stopping at Gosho Park en route. Top birds on this leg include African Spotted Creeper, Miombo Tit, Southern Hyliota, Miombo Rock Thrush, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Lesser Seedcracker, Moustached Grass Warbler, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Scarce Swift, Pallid Honeyguide, Little Spotted Woodpecker, African Broadbill and Red-throated Twinspot. Timing may also co-incide with a visit from the scarce migrant, Lesser Cuckoo. After taking our fill here we move south to bVumba, in the highlands at around 1600m. Eastern Miombo, Western Violet-backed, Variable and Bronzy Sunbirds will be looked for. Other species include Singing Cisticola, Red-faced Crimsonwing, very range restricted Roberts’s Warbler, Swynnerton’s Robin, Livingstone’s Turaco, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, as well as more chances at a range of miombo specials.
This trip is a must for Southern African listers, not to mention world birders!
Cost available on enquiry
.April 2027: Colombia birding tour (6 pre, 9 main or 14 days combined trip)
With the most birds species of any country in the world, Colombia simply has to be on everyone’s bucket list. We recognise that not many people have the luxury of free time, with the irritation of day jobs and limited leave getting in the way. We have therefore put together some shorter trips, the first a pre tour to areas around Bogota, and the main tour concentrating on the Atlantic coastal area, where the Santa Marta area holds several endemic and near endemic bird species.
July 2026: Kgalagadi and Augrabies National Parks
Travel from Johannesburg with a Bustards guide, heading to these fabulous parks where we shall look for charismatic raptors sized from the tiny Pygmy Falcon to the majestic Martial Eagle, its famous black-maned lions, cheetah and leopard, as well as some of the smaller arid country residents such as Meerkats, Ground Squirrels and Whistling Rats. Larks, sandgrouse, chats and flycatchers that can only be seen in the drier regions will be on the cards too. A visit to Augrabies on the way back is worthwhile where you see the Orange River compressed into thundering falls, in an almost moonlike landscape.
We spend one night at a stop over en route, then Twee Rivieren (1), Mata Mata (1), Nossob (2) and Augrabies (1).
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
Angola birding tour September 2026
Angola was off limits for decades due to war and general safety concerns. It has rapidly returned to the birding map and is becoming an increasingly popular destination with both general birders and hardcore listers. The country boasts over 900 species as well as a host of vagrants that have been recorded. There are 13 recognised endemics (under IOC) in the country, with several others split by some authorities, as well as many other near endemics.
Pricing available on request
Spaces available: book
July 2026: Papua New Guinea – Birding in Paradise!
Anyone who has watched TV programmes on Birds-of-paradise (BOPS) MUST want to see these amazing birds. We travel around three locations in PNG where well known leks of the males are visited. On our previous visit we saw an amazing 15 species of BOP, including Greater, Lesser, Ragiana, King-of-Saxony, King, Blue, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia etc. Paradise Kingfishers, Satinbirds and Bowerbirds are among the many other species on the menu.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
July 2026: Uganda birding (17 days)
We start off the trip with a bang at Mabamba Swamp for the bizarre Shoebill on the first morning. We then take in Lake Mburo, Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impentetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Budongo (Royal Mile), ending the trip off at Murchison Falls. This trip can exceed 500 bird species, as well as a good variety of mammals (the tour cost includes Gorilla and Chimp trekking permits). An optional extension to Kidepo National Park and Pian Upe for Black-breasted Barbet, Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s Weaver can be added on.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
August 2026: South East Brazil – Atlantic Rainforest (12 days) and Pantanal extension (7 days)
The Atlantic Rainforests are buzzing with endemics to this area of South America. Flying into Saõ Paulo in Brazil, the following morning we set out early to PE Intervales, also visiting PETAR, Peruibe, Ubatuba and PE Itatiaia. We return to Saõ Paulo and you then have the option to join us on the trip to the Pantanal, where Jaguars, Giant Anteaters, Capybaras and Tapirs roam, not to mention the massive Hyacinth Macaws and an abundance of other juicy species.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
August 2026: Marrick Safari (Kimberley, South Africa) – birding & nocturnal mammals
This 4 day tour starts in Johannesburg, driving down to Kimberley, with birding stops en route. We do three night drives looking for special mammals such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat, Aardwolf, Cape Porcupine, etc. During the days in between we visit Mokala National Park and Spitskop Dam, for birding as well as several diurnal mammal species.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
October 2026: Malawi
This 14 day trip visits all of the classic sites in Malawi, including Dzalanyama, Thyolo Mountain, Liwonde National Park, Nyika National Park, Luwawa Forest and Viphya Plateau. The birding is beyond excellent, from miombo, to waterways, plateaus and forests. Top birds include Stierling’s Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Red-capped Crombec, Thyolo Alethe, Red-faced Crimsonwing, White-winged, Chapin’s and Yellow-throated Apalis, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Brown-breasted Barbet, Blue Swallow & Bronzy Sunbird.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
October 2026: Eastern South Africa
This 15 day trip takes the group through the bushveld north of Gauteng, into the escarpment forests between Magoebaskloof and Tzaneen, into the Kruger National Park, then on to the high altitude grasslands around Wakkerstroom, the lush coastal forests of Kwazulu Natal around St. Lucia, and Eshowe, Sani Pass in Lesotho and finally the rolling hills of Golden Gate National Park
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
November 2026 Ghana comprehensive birding tour (22 day trip)
From Stone Partridges at Shai Hills in the South, across to the moist and pristine forests of Ankasa, the legendary canopy walkway at Kakum with birds at eye level, north to the dry Mole NP, visiting a localised site for White-necked Rockfowl, and going as far as the Burkina Faso border, where Egyptian Plovers trot along the sand banks of the White Volta River – a trip not to be missed!
November 2026: Kenya and Northern Tanzania (20 days)
East Africa has a wealth of birdlife, as well as some magnificent national parks teeming with game. Starting in Nairobi, we visit Lake Nakuru, Kakamega Forest, Lake Baringo, Lake Naivasha, Kinangop and the Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, Tsavo, Taita Hills, Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Sabaki River and Mida Creek, Shimba Hills, then on the extension into Tanzania, East and West Usambaras, Tarangire National Park, the plains in the north for the larks, before returning to Nairobi.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book
January 2027: Northern India, Bustards, Tigers, and birding galore (21 day trip)
You mention tigers and people get shivers of excitement. You throw in a good dollop of birding, and then they are done! This trip kicks off in Jaisalmer (Desert National Park) after transferring from New Delhi. Here we look for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, in amongst several other fabulous species. This 21 day trip promises an excellent mix of birding and mammal watching, as we traverse several different habitats.
Cost available on enquiry
Spaces available: book