With 400-plus species recorded, Phinda Private Game Reserve is an excellent birding destination. The rare sand forest is home to several birds with limited national distribution, notably , , and Neergaard’s sunbird. These species, together with the gorgeous , are quite easily seen in the grounds of Forest Lodge, a favorite with birders. Dedicated bird-watching excursions can be arranged, and many guides at Phinda are expert birders. are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African broadbill
- African cuckoo hawk
- African finfoot
- Black coucal
- Collared pratincole
- Dwarf bittern
- Eastern nicator
- Gorgeous bush-shrike
- Green twinspot
- Lemon-breasted canary
- Narina trogon
- Neergaard’s sunbird
- Palm-nut vulture
- Pel’s fishing-owl
- Pink-throated twinspot
- Rudd’s apalis
- Southern banded snake eagle
- Stierling’s wren-warbler
- Swamp nightjar
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching is a good experience year-round in Phinda, since many of the most alluring species are . However, the summer months of November to April, when from the northern hemisphere are present, is the prime time for those wanting to see the widest bird variety. The dry winter months of May to September are when general wildlife viewing is at its best.