For bird enthusiasts, there’s a special thrill that comes with spotting rare or first-time species in an untamed landscape. Hideaways Nantwich Lodge in Hwange National Park offers just that—a birder’s paradise where stunning landscapes, diverse habitats, and the magic of Zimbabwe’s largest national park come together to create unforgettable birding experiences.
Birding in Hwange National Park
Hwange is home to over 400 species of birds, making it one of the most remarkable birding locations in Southern Africa. The park’s combination of habitats provides a wealth of opportunities for sightings, from raptors soaring in the skies to smaller passerines in the thickets.
The best time for birding in Hwange is during the green season (from November to March), when migratory species flock to the park, and the landscape comes alive with the sounds and sights of nesting and feeding birds. However, birding can be rewarding year-round, as Hwange’s permanent waterholes attract a steady stream of birds throughout the dry season as well.
Birding at Hideaways Nantwich Lodge
The area around Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, in particular, offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities due to its unique location on a private concession, where secluded forests, quiet dams, and acacia-lined grasslands converge. One of the biggest attractions for birders at Nantwich is the lodge’s secluded, peaceful setting, which allows birds to thrive undisturbed by large crowds or tourist traffic. Each morning brings the thrill of spotting new species, as everything from sunbirds to owls make their appearance around the lodge and its dam.
At Nantwich, birding begins the moment you arrive. Guests can enjoy numerous bird sightings around the lodge, with species like African Jacanas, the Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and the rare Orange-winged Pytillia seen at the waterhole. A resident Pearl-spotted Owlet often perches nearby, accompanied by the African Golden Oriole, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, and Purple Indigobird. In the mornings, the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah has been seen visiting the lodge.
For a closer experience, the Hidden Eye Hide offers an up-close view of the private dam. Here, guests can observe waterbirds like herons, egrets, ducks, and sometimes the Little Bittern. The dam’s edges also attract species such as the Black-winged Pratincole, African Openbill, and Greater Painted Snipe. The highlight for many is the striking Saddle-billed Stork, gracefully strolling through the water.
Birds Frequently Seen in Hwange National Park:
- Green Wood Hoopoe
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- European Bee-eater
- Blue Waxbill
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- Purple Indigobird
- Jameson’s Firefinch
- Little Egret
- Goliath Heron
- Pied Kingfisher
- Copper Sunbird
- Swainson’s Spurfowl
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Orange-winged Pytilia
- Grey Heron
- Western Cattle Egret
- Arrow-marked Babbler
- Scarlet-chested Sunbird
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Southern Red-billed Hornbill
