With more than 275 species recorded, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is an excellent birding destination. However, the main emphasis on group is checking off the , so if you prefer to focus on birds, it’s best to book private activities. Birding on foot in the various lodge grounds can be very rewarding. The Vulture Project at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre offers a rare opportunity to see and up close. are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(E) endemic = only lives in South Africa(NE) near-endemic = lives in South Africa and neighboring countries
- African darter
- African fish eagle
- African pied starling (NE)
- African spoonbill
- Black harrier (NE)
- Black-winged kite
- Bokmakierie (NE)
- Booted eagle
- Cape starling
- Cape weaver
- Crowned lapwing
- Denham’s bustard
- Familiar chat
- Karoo scrub robin (NE)
- Knysna woodpecker (E)
- Malachite kingfisher
- Northern black korhaan (NE)
- Pale chanting goshawk
- Red-billed oxpecker
- Secretary bird
- Sombre greenbul
- South African shelduck (NE)
- Southern anteater chat
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching is good throughout the year, as many of the most interesting species associated with Shamwari are in the reserve. But it is at its best from November to April, when from Europe and Asia are present, and many resident species are in breeding plumage.