Belmond + Botswana=Birders’ Paradise

Fine Feathered Friends

Belmond Khwai River Lodge

WORD OF THE DAY

twitch·er

/ˈtwiCHər/

noun

1.    a person or thing that twitches.

o   INFORMAL•BRITISH

Birders! We see you! And may we suggest an African safari to take your birding to new heights. Our dear colleague at Belmond, Sean Clark, recently paid us a visit and not only reignited our passion for Botswana but introduced a new word to our vocabulary—twitcher (best when spoken with a British accent). We love the term (and tern) so much we’re trying to work it into every conversation (even when not germane).

With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, twitchers travel far and wide to get a glimpse or catch the call of their favorite feathered friends. And more than 400 bird species have been recorded in the Okavango Delta. With a constant water presence, this is a prime birding destination, especially for waders and other water-loving species. Birding tends to be productive because walking is one of the main activities in the delta, and the guides are knowledgeable. Sliding through the channels in a mokoro (dugout canoe) is a great way to get close to many species, such as malachite kingfisher and African jacana. The Okavango Delta is excellent for bird watching throughout the year, but the ideal time is in the wet season, from November to April, when summer migrants swoop into the delta.

A word on Belmond Botswana:

Poe’s own Margaret Kemp and Mildred Cooper recently answered the call of the wild and visited these three remarkable lodges (a report soon to follow). They canoed the waters of the delta, soared above the floodplains, and rumbled their way across the savannah—spotting the most amazing wildlife along the way (birds included).

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge

Africa’s ultimate water-focused safari—a modern, sophisticated sanctuary on a private island at the heart of the Okavango Delta

Belmond Khwai River Lodge

Animal magic meets old-world indulgence

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge
A timeless explorer’s lodge that beats with the pulse of wild Africa 

A word on birding:

Virtually every setting—coastline, open prairie, mountain range, big city park—makes for rewarding bird-watching. One of the joys of this activity is how little equipment it requires. Binoculars (8 x 40 or higher), a comprehensive field guide, and curiosity are all you need. For observing waterfowl and other stationary birds from afar, a telescope (15 power and higher) is best. The pursuit takes you to beautiful areas, teaches principles of ecology, and makes you keenly aware of the vulnerability of our natural environment and the need to protect it.