With more than 370 birds recorded, Niassa Special Reserve offers excellent bird watching. The reserve is a great place to see miombo woodland specials such as the racket-tailed roller and pale-billed hornbill. Riverine forest fringing the Lugenda River is a good place to look for Pel’s fishing-owl and Böhm's bee-eater, and African skimmers can be seen flying over the river. The big granite domes on the surrounding plains support species such as Verreaux’s eagle, lanner falcon and the rare Taita falcon. The sought-after Africa pitta can be spotted in November.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
Best Time for Bird Watching
The birdlife in Niassa is good year-round. However, the Wet season (November to April) is the best time for bird watching as migratory birds are present. Because road conditions could be bad during the rains and the reserve might close from December to April, the ideal month for birders is November. General wildlife viewing is better during the middle and end of the Dry season, from July to October.