Masai Mara game reserve in northwestern Kenya and Serengeti National Park in southern Tanzania are famously known for the Great Wildebeest migration. Apart from all these places being home to the wildebeest migration, both Serengeti and Masai Mara offers one of the best birding safari. They host a variety of bird species such as the grey-breasted spurfowl and Rufous-tailed weaver of Serengeti National Park. The giant kingfisher and the pygmy kingfisher of Masai Mara thus making the largest and oldest Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. This is one of the greatest African Endemic Birds Area.
Birding in Masai Mara-best birding safari
Known as a birding paradise, Masai Mara game reserve has over 500 bird species and about 47 species of birds of prey. A birding safari to Masai Mara can be done throughout the year. Therefore, you are always bound to see a variety of bird species at any time of the year.
Kingfisher
These birds range from large, medium, and very tiny ones that you may not be able to see with your naked eyes. The best time for a birding Safari to the Masai Mara is from November to April. That is when European and Northern African migratory birds arrive in the Masai Mara.
This time of year, coincides with the rainy season in the region making the rainy season the best time for a birdwatching safari. While on this safari, different birds will be spotted on the treetops, bushes, and skies. In the grasslands of Masai Mara, you will be able to see birds. These birds include ground hornbills, secretary birds, jaunty crowned plovers, flocks of white storks, crowned cranes, saddle-billed storks, yellow-billed storks, sacred Ibis, Goliath Heron, Black-headed Heron, Great white Egret among others.
More bird in Masai Mara
You will also spot river birds in the Mara River such as one of the seven species of kingfishers. Birds of prey such as the mighty martial Eagle, pygmy falcon, and bateleur. Birds such as the Ross Turaco and Schawlow Turaco will be spotted in the forest lining the river.
Watching the Great wildebeest migration would be a great addition to this birding safari. Unfortunately, the best time for this safari lies outside the season of this migration. Though, there is always an abundance of wildlife to enjoy in Masai Mara throughout the year. The best time to visit for the wildebeest migration would be around June to October. Here millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes cross the Talek and Mara rivers. Followed by lions and crocodiles and have to struggle to survive.
Birding in Serengeti National Park-best birding safari
Also referred to as a birding paradise, Serengeti National Park is home to over 500 bird species just like Masai Mara. Birdwatching in this area can be done throughout the year with the rainy season being the best time for a birding safari to Serengeti National Park. The first phase of this season runs from March to May then the second rain occurs in November.
Unique bird at Kruger National Park
The main areas for a birding safari in Serengeti National Park are the central area. Renowned as the Seronera area. The western corridor also known as Grumeti, Ikorongo reserve, Loliondo area. The southern park known as the Ndutu area are also good for the activity.
However, a birding safari to Serengeti must be centered in the central part of the park in the Seronera area. Large variety of bird species in this area found in both river Seronera where you find the water birds. Woodland birds are found in Acacia trees. This area also has nocturnal birds like the night jars, and different species of owl among others. A visit to the southern part of Serengeti in the Ndutu area will also expose you to numerous bird species. More so in areas of around Lake Ndutu.
More on Serengeti
If your interest is the birds of prey, Lobo Hills in the Serengeti will be a good option with birds such as eagle species, and larks among others. While in Serengeti, you will see birds like the grey-breasted spurfowl, rufous-tailed weavers, usambiro barbet, and grey-crested helmet-shrike which are endemic to this region. Other birds include the black-headed gonolek, grey-backed fiscal, grey-crested helmet-shrike, red-capped robin chat, rufous-tailed weaver, ostriches, and Kon bustard among others.
Similarly to Masai Mara, the wildebeest migration can also be watched in this area. Though, the best time for this migration in Serengeti is during the months of July to early October. Therefore, you may not be able to witness the migration since around these months large herds of wildebeests congregate around the Moru Kopjes where mating takes place. Despite the season, be sure that you will encounter a variety of wildlife on this safari.
Best packages-best birding safari
Conclusion
Even though, they are mostly known for wildlife safaris epitomized by the great migration. Both Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park offers some of the best birding safari in Africa for all bird enthusiasts. However, the best time to go for bird watching in both parks is during the rainy season. During this season birds fly in from Europe and Asia. This gives birdwatchers a chance to have a sight on various types of the birds.