Birding in Livingstone: Schalow’s Turaco, African Skimmers and Pel’s Fishing Owl
Most visitors come to Livingstone for Victoria Falls. Birders come for what lives around it: turacos in the rainforest, skimmers on the sandbanks and, for the lucky, a Pel’s Fishing Owl in the riverine trees.
Livingstone birding at a glance
The upper Zambezi, its islands and the forests around the Falls pack an extraordinary variety of habitats into a small area, all within easy reach of town.
Best monthsAugust – December for sandbank and rapids specials; November – April for migrants
Key habitatsRiverine forest, the Falls rainforest, sandbanks, backwaters and gorges
How longA half-day covers the river; a full day adds the forest and backwaters
Best wayA mix of walking and a quiet boat on the upper Zambezi
Five birds to find around Livingstone
Some are almost certain on a good day; others need patience and luck. We would rather tell you honestly than promise what the river may not deliver.
Schalow’s Turaco
Tauraco schalowi
A green turaco with a tall, white-tipped crest. It is easy to miss while perched, then unforgettable when it flies and flashes its crimson wings.
WhereThe Victoria Falls rainforest and the riverine forest of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
WhenYear-round
ChanceGood
African Skimmer
Rynchops flavirostris
The only bird here with a lower bill longer than the upper. It flies low over calm water, slicing the surface to catch fish.
WhereSandbanks on the upper Zambezi
WhenMostly August – November, when sandbanks are exposed
ChanceGood in season
Lesser Jacana
Microparra capensis
A small, delicate cousin of the African Jacana, walking on floating leaves with its long toes.
WhereDambwa Lagoon and quiet backwaters with floating vegetation
WhenYear-round where habitat allows
ChanceFair
African Finfoot
Podica senegalensis
A shy, secretive swimmer with bright orange-red feet, slipping along under overhanging branches.
WhereQuiet, overhung channels around the upper Zambezi islands, such as Siloka Island
WhenYear-round
ChanceNeeds patience and luck
Pel’s Fishing Owl
Scotopelia peli
A huge, ginger owl that hunts fish at night and roosts in the shade of tall riverine trees by day.
WhereTall riverine trees on the islands and riverbanks, including Siloka Island
WhenYear-round
ChanceLucky
Want to find them with us?
Our birding day in Livingstone is built around these species, with an early start, a quiet boat and time in the right habitats.
Livingstone’s birding hotspots
Four places we return to again and again, each with its own specials.
Victoria Falls
The rainforest opposite the Falls stays green all year, kept alive by the spray.
Look forSchalow’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill and other forest birds
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Riverine forest and open riverfront on the upper Zambezi, just outside Livingstone.
Look forSchalow’s Turaco, African Fish Eagle, White-crowned Lapwing and, in the low-water months, African Skimmers on the sandbanks
Siloka Island
An island on the upper Zambezi, with tall riverine trees and quiet, overhung channels around it.
Look forPel’s Fishing Owl, African Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher
Dambwa Lagoon
Sewage ponds may not sound glamorous, but they are some of the best waterbird habitat around Livingstone. Your guide arranges the visit.
Look forLesser Jacana, ducks, herons, waders and other waterbirds
Livingstone birding calendar
Birding is good all year, but some specials depend on the river. When the water drops, sandbanks and rocks appear, and so do the skimmers and pratincoles.
Swipe sideways to see every month.
| Species or event | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schalow’s TuracoRiverine forest and the Falls rainforest | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| African SkimmerExposed sandbanks on the upper Zambezi | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||||
| Rock PratincoleRocks in the rapids above the Falls | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | |||||||
| African FinfootQuiet, overhung river edges | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Pel’s Fishing OwlTall riverine trees | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Lesser JacanaBackwaters with floating vegetation | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Summer migrants and breeding plumageCountrywide | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Good time to look
Guide’s tip: from roughly February to May, the Zambezi is high and many sandbanks disappear. For skimmers and pratincoles, plan for the low-water months, from around August onwards.
Also look for
- Rock Pratincole on rocks in the rapids
- Collared Palm Thrush among palms in and around town
- White-crowned Lapwing on sandbanks
- Trumpeter Hornbill in riverine forest
- African Fish Eagle, the voice of the Zambezi
- Half-collared Kingfisher along clear, fast water
Tips for birding in Livingstone
- Start early. The first hours after sunrise are the most active and the coolest.
- Choose a quiet boat. Many specials live along the river, and a slow boat reaches them best.
- Bring good binoculars and, for photographers, a long lens.
- Bird responsibly. We don’t use call playback for owls or finfoot, and we keep our distance from nesting birds on the sandbanks.
Birding in Livingstone: frequently asked questions
When is the best time for birding in Livingstone?
Birding is good all year. August to December is best for sandbank and rapids specials such as African Skimmer and Rock Pratincole, while November to April brings migrants and birds in breeding plumage.
Can I see Pel’s Fishing Owl in Livingstone?
It is possible, but never guaranteed. Pel’s Fishing Owl roosts quietly in tall riverine trees, and finding one takes patience, local knowledge and luck.
Is a birding tour suitable for beginners?
Yes. Your guide helps you find and identify birds, and many species along the Zambezi are colourful and easy to enjoy, even without experience.
More birding in Zambia
Go birding with us in Livingstone
Tell us your target species and your dates. We will plan the right habitats, at the right time of day and year.