Overview

 

Birding Season is on the Horizon

Now’s the time to plan ahead for one of nature’s most colourful Migrations

From the riverbanks of Botswana to the forest floors of Mana Pools, our top Hideaways lodges transform into birding havens between December and March. Whether you are an experienced twitcher or a curious first-timer, you’ll be rewarded with rare sightings, expert guides, and front-row seats with our Hideaways’ camps and lodges.

Early bookings are essential during this highly specialised season. Let’s explore our top birding stays and what guests can look forward to:

Why Book Birding Season Now?

✔️ Prime sightings of rare migratory birds
✔️ Exclusive access to private birding concessions
✔️ Highly sought-after guiding during peak season
✔️ Camps fill early – limited space available

 

Tucked away on the inland Chitake Escarpment, Mhara River Camp is a paradise for serious birders. Its private concession boasts a mix of riverine vegetation, dense forest, and spring-fed pans, creating ideal conditions for both resident and migratory species.

Each summer, the elusive African Pitta returns to this region, lighting up the forest floor with its vivid colours; a bucket-list sighting for any birder. The surrounding habitat is also rich with cuckoos, rollers, bee-eaters, and more.

 

View lodge here

 

Other Rare Birds you might find:

• African Pitta (regularly sighted!)
• Narina Trogon
• Broad-billed & European Rollers
• Southern Carmine & European Bee-eaters
• Böhm’s Spinetail
• Black-throated Wattle-eye
• Klaas’s, Emerald, Black & Diederik Cuckoos
• Red-backed Shrike

Best Time

Late December to late February (Pitta window!)

What to Expect

Walks through dense forest, expert guiding, and up-close views of canopy dwellers.

 

√ Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, Hwange National Park

 

Birding in Big Game Country

With sweeping views over Hwange’s mopane woodlands and dam, Nantwich combines safari and birding with ease. Raptors rule the skies, and colourful migrants arrive in droves during the wet season.

 

View lodge here

Birds you might find:

• Black Headed Heron
• African Hawk Eagle
• Secretarybird
• Kori Bustard
• Lilac-breasted Roller
• Steppe Eagle
• African Paradise Flycatcher

Best Time: 

December to March

What to Expect:

Raptor sightings, waterhole birding from camp, and scenic drives across varied terrain.

 

√ Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp, Hwange National Park

 

Birding Meets Archaeology

Set near an ancient heritage site surrounded by jackalberry and mahogany trees, Bumbusi offers rare birdlife in a remote, historic setting. Ideal for those who love to explore on foot.

 

View lodge here

 

Other Rare Birds you might find:

• Little Bee Eater
• Green Pigeon
• Swainsons Spurfowl
• Arnot’s Chat
• Verreaux’s Eagle
• Green-capped Eremomela
• White-breasted Cuckooshrike

Best Time: 

January to March

What to Expect:

Walking safaris, historical ruins, and off-the-beaten-t

 

√ Mogotlho Safari Lodge, Khwai River

 

Wetland Wonderland

Bordering both Moremi and Chobe National Parks, Mogotlho Safari Lodge sits in one of Botswana’s most vibrant birding zones. During the summer months, the Khwai River swells with seasonal floodwaters, attracting a remarkable variety of wetland and riverine birds.

 

Between October and March, the landscape comes alive with migratory species. Among the stars are the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, the elegant Wattled Crane, and the rare White-backed Night Heron – often spotted from the unique vantage of a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe).

 

View lodge here

Birds you might find:

• Pel’s Fishing Owl

• Wattled Crane

• Knob-billed Duck

• Malachite Kingfisher

• Pygmy Goose

• White-backed Night Heron

Best Time: 

December to March

What to Expect:

Riverside birdwatching from your deck, and serene mornings by the water.

 

√ Amava River Lodge, Kruger, South Africa

 

Beginner-Friendly Birding by the River

Tucked along the Olifants River in the Balule region, Amava offers a laid-back introduction to South African birding with excellent sightings right from

 

View lodge here

Birds you might find:

• Lappet-faced Vulture
• Saddle-billed Stork
• Kori Bustard
• Lilac-breasted Roller
• African Fish Eagle
• Giant Kingfisher
• Grey-headed Bushshrike

Best Time: 

October to March

What to Expect:

Bushveld birding, riverside breakfasts, and mellow mornings with a pair of binoculars.

 

 

 

Contact us to book any of these Birding Safari Packages at your disposal!