The 8 Best Places to Go Bird watching Around the World
Birds of a feather flock together in these twitching hotspots. If you love nothing more than getting out in the great outdoors and immersing yourself in nature, birdwatching is an excellent hobby—not least because it can give you the ideal excuse to travel to some of the world’s most beautiful corners. Whether you dream of glimpsing birds-of-paradise in real life or would love nothing more than to see eye to eye with a blue-footed booby, here are the best places to go birdwatching around the world.
The Camargue France A flamboyance of flamingos in the Camargue, France. Photo: Ondrej Prosicky / Shutterstock Many travelers likely wouldn’t expect to discover thousands-strong flocks of flamingos in continental Europe—but then again, they probably haven’t visited the Camargue. A wild and unique delta region in the south of France, located between Montpellier and Marseille, the Camargue’s wetlands ecosystem is a favorite of the pink-hued wading birds, as well as herons, egrets, and even the rare sacred ibis.
Birds of a feather flock together in these twitching hotspots. If you love nothing more than getting out in the great outdoors and immersing yourself in nature, birdwatching is an excellent hobby—not least because it can give you the ideal excuse to travel to some of the world’s most beautiful corners. Whether you dream of glimpsing birds-of-paradise in real life or would love nothing more than to see eye to eye with a blue-footed booby, here are the best places to go birdwatching around the world.
The Camargue France A flamboyance of flamingos in the Camargue, France. Photo: Ondrej Prosicky / Shutterstock Many travelers likely wouldn’t expect to discover thousands-strong flocks of flamingos in continental Europe—but then again, they probably haven’t visited the Camargue. A wild and unique delta region in the south of France, located between Montpellier and Marseille, the Camargue’s wetlands ecosystem is a favorite of the pink-hued wading birds, as well as herons, egrets, and even the rare sacred ibis.
In between your Côte d’Azur beach trips, it’s worth planning a day to discover this untamed nature park. Find a nature and wildlife tour The Galapagos Islands Ecuador Blue-footed boobies are top Galapagos Island draws for birders. Photo: BlueOrange Studio / Shutterstock
The Galapagos Islands, located some 600 miles (966 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for decades, owing to their extraordinary levels of biodiversity, their volcanic terrain, and their association with Darwin and his evolutionary studies. Today, birders flock to the archipelago to see species such as the blue-footed booby, the Galapagos penguin, the waved albatross, Darwin’s finches, and more. Many island-hopping excursions give you the best chance to glimpse this wealth of wildlife for yourself.
The Galapagos Islands, located some 600 miles (966 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for decades, owing to their extraordinary levels of biodiversity, their volcanic terrain, and their association with Darwin and his evolutionary studies. Today, birders flock to the archipelago to see species such as the blue-footed booby, the Galapagos penguin, the waved albatross, Darwin’s finches, and more. Many island-hopping excursions give you the best chance to glimpse this wealth of wildlife for yourself.
There are plenty of birdwatching hotspots in Hawaii. Photo: Page Light Studios / Shutterstock Owing to its geographic isolation; many endemic species (including the Hawaiian goose, Hawaiian honeycreepers, and beyond); and dramatic scenery, Hawaii has long been considered a major destination for birdwatchers. The only problem? Narrowing down your itinerary. The Audubon Society recommends an island-hopping approach, including visits to the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu, and specific trips to Waimea Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Haleakala National Park. Get your zoom lenses ready.
Look out for grey herons in Kruger National Park. Photo: Gaston Piccinetti / Shutterstock
Many visitors to Kruger National Park focus on the “big five”—lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, and leopards—but for birdwatchers, it’s all about spotting the “big six.” The kori bustard, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, lappet-faced vulture, ground hornbill, and Pel’s fishing owl are all prized sightings (of which the Pel’s fishing owl is the rarest), and can be spotted on an immersive park safari. More broadly, Kruger is home to some 500 different bird species, while the period from November through April also brings in far-flung migratory birds.
Many visitors to Kruger National Park focus on the “big five”—lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, and leopards—but for birdwatchers, it’s all about spotting the “big six.” The kori bustard, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, lappet-faced vulture, ground hornbill, and Pel’s fishing owl are all prized sightings (of which the Pel’s fishing owl is the rarest), and can be spotted on an immersive park safari. More broadly, Kruger is home to some 500 different bird species, while the period from November through April also brings in far-flung migratory birds.
A great blue heron in the Everglades National Park. Photo: Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock
Florida’s otherworldly Everglades National Park is famous for its alligators and manatees, but the park is also a world-renowned birdwatching destination. Some of its highlights—among the more than 300 different species that call the wetlands ecosystem home—include the roseate spoonbill (plus other wading birds, such as egrets and ibis), the sharp-shinned hawk, the swallow-tailed kite, and even the bald eagle. Book a boat tour to venture deep into the wilderness—and time your visit for December through March to see the greatest congregation of different bird species.
Florida’s otherworldly Everglades National Park is famous for its alligators and manatees, but the park is also a world-renowned birdwatching destination. Some of its highlights—among the more than 300 different species that call the wetlands ecosystem home—include the roseate spoonbill (plus other wading birds, such as egrets and ibis), the sharp-shinned hawk, the swallow-tailed kite, and even the bald eagle. Book a boat tour to venture deep into the wilderness—and time your visit for December through March to see the greatest congregation of different bird species.
Papua New Guinea is known for its outlandish looking birds. Photo: feathercollector / Shutterstock
Papua New Guinea is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, and its vast expanse of tropical rain forest and dense jungle is home to over 800 bird species. For expert birdwatchers, it’s one of the world’s most bucket list–worthy destinations, and that’s largely due to the birds-of-paradise. Encompassing dozens of species, many of which are known for their outlandish plumage and equally zany mating dances and rituals, the birds have previously been immortalized on camera by the likes of David Attenborough. But there’s nothing like seeing them in real life—and multi-day rainforest treks offer the exceedingly rare chance to do so.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, and its vast expanse of tropical rain forest and dense jungle is home to over 800 bird species. For expert birdwatchers, it’s one of the world’s most bucket list–worthy destinations, and that’s largely due to the birds-of-paradise. Encompassing dozens of species, many of which are known for their outlandish plumage and equally zany mating dances and rituals, the birds have previously been immortalized on camera by the likes of David Attenborough. But there’s nothing like seeing them in real life—and multi-day rainforest treks offer the exceedingly rare chance to do so.
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to hundreds of thousands of flamingos. Photo: GUDKOV ANDREY / Shutterstock
Within day-trip distance of Nairobi, Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the scenic Rift Valley region. This protected body of water is best known for its enormous population of flamingos—at their peak, they can number in the millions, and when they take flight they’re capable of turning the sky pink. But the park is also a destination for hundreds of other bird species, from ibises and spoonbills to pelicans, storks, kites, ostriches, and more. For the amateur ornithologist, it’s a spectacular safari destination.
Within day-trip distance of Nairobi, Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the scenic Rift Valley region. This protected body of water is best known for its enormous population of flamingos—at their peak, they can number in the millions, and when they take flight they’re capable of turning the sky pink. But the park is also a destination for hundreds of other bird species, from ibises and spoonbills to pelicans, storks, kites, ostriches, and more. For the amateur ornithologist, it’s a spectacular safari destination.
The Amazon is home to any number of birds, including blue macaws. Photo: Independent birds / Shutterstock
As the world’s largest tropical rain forest, the Amazon is a birdwatcher’s dream—home to over 1,300 species, it has the largest concentration of bird biodiversity of any region on Earth. Birders come to spy toucans and macaws, hummingbirds and potoos, as well as rarities including the harpy eagle. Given the region’s vast expanse, it’s wise to narrow down your itinerary based on what you most wish to see. Some of the most popular bird-watching destinations include Tambopata National Reserve in Peru, Amacayacu National Park in Colombia, and the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador.
As the world’s largest tropical rain forest, the Amazon is a birdwatcher’s dream—home to over 1,300 species, it has the largest concentration of bird biodiversity of any region on Earth. Birders come to spy toucans and macaws, hummingbirds and potoos, as well as rarities including the harpy eagle. Given the region’s vast expanse, it’s wise to narrow down your itinerary based on what you most wish to see. Some of the most popular bird-watching destinations include Tambopata National Reserve in Peru, Amacayacu National Park in Colombia, and the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve in Ecuador.