Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) boasts an impressive array of over 500 bird species. This is an impressive figure for a small, landlocked nation. It boasts 52 unique species found only in southern Africa. The stunning Malolotja Nature Reserve serves as a vital breeding ground for the blue swallow, a bird that is among the rarest in southern Africa. The southern bald ibis boasts numerous nesting sites scattered throughout the country, while the vulnerable Cape vulture frequently soars gracefully in the sky.

Unique and Rare Birds near-endemic = also found in surrounding nations

Brown scrub robin (NE)
Buff-streaked chat (NE)
Bush blackcap (NE)
Chorister robin-chat (NE) Knysna turaco (NE)
Pink-throated twinspot (NE)
Rudd’s apalis
Southern bald ibis (NE)
Unique Birding Delights–Gems for Passionate Birdwatchers
African broadbill
African finfoot
Bearded scrub robin, a creature that embodies the spirit of exploration and the thrill of the wild.
Black coucal
Black-winged lapwing
Azure flyer
Denham’s bustard
Eastern long-billed lark
Eastern nicator Fan-tailed grassbird
Woodpecker of the ground
Gurney’s sugarbird
Mouse-hued sunbird
Pink-throated twinspot
Retz’s helmet-shrike Scaly-throated honeyguide
Senegal lapwing
Sentinel rock thrush
Striped flufftail
Thick-billed cuckoo
White-backed night heron
Optimal Moments for Avian Observation
The birdlife in Eswatini reaches its peak from November to April, showcasing the arrival of migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa, including the elusive blue swallow. During this season, numerous resident bird species are busy nesting and flaunting their vibrant breeding plumage. Yet, the southern bald ibis comes alive in the winter months, from June to October. The Dry season offers the best opportunities for wildlife viewing.