TRIP REPORT: LOWER ZAMBEZI PHOTO SAFARI (AUG 2025)
22 September 2025TRIP REPORT: LOWER ZAMBEZI PHOTO SAFARI (AUG 2025)
22 September 2025GETTING STARTED WITH BIRDING
THE WILD EYE PODCAST
What is Birding? A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Finding Birds.
Birding is simply the act of looking for birds—whether you're traveling to remote forests or just scanning your backyard. It’s accessible to everyone, even city dwellers, where more than just pigeons can surprise you. Once you start noticing the variety of birds around you, it quickly becomes an obsession.
What makes birding so exciting is how it turns into a game. You start a bird list, and suddenly you’re planning trips just to tick off new species. Birding takes you to breathtaking places you might never visit otherwise. A simple birding outing can turn into a full weekend getaway filled with hikes, photography, and new discoveries.
Birding also fills the quiet moments on safari—when big cats are hiding, birds are always active. There’s no such thing as a failed game drive when you’re birding.
To get started, all you need is a bird book or app (like the Roberts Bird App for Southern Africa), a decent pair of binoculars, and patience. Learn bird families first to make identification easier. Understanding bird behavior and sounds is crucial—some birds are only active early morning or live at specific heights in the trees.
Photography adds another layer, though it’s more challenging than photographing large animals. You'll need to adapt your gear and settings to capture fast, elusive birds in tricky lighting.
At its core, birding is a real-life version of Pokémon Go. You're outdoors, actively searching, and constantly learning. It’s not just about the birds—it’s about the adventure, the travel, and the thrill of discovery.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE
or search for The Wild Eye Podcast on your favourite pordcast service
