Mkhaya Game Reserve is home to more than 140 bird species. The forested rivers provide habitat for seven species of robin-chat and scrub robin, purple-crested turaco, Narina trogon, green and pink-throated twinspots, and eastern nicator. The woodland area supports tchagras, woodland kingfishers, drongos and shrikes, along with a healthy population of nesting vultures. A real treat are the habituated crested guineafowls, which are regular visitors to the camp. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
Eswatini has no endemic birds.(NE) near-endemic = lives in Eswatini and neighboring countries
- Broad-billed roller
- Chorister robin-chat (NE)
- Crowned eagle
- Eastern nicator
- Great spotted cuckoo
- Greater painted-snipe
- Green twinspot
- Green-winged pytilia
- Grey tit-flycatcher
- Harlequin quail
- Narina trogon
- Pink-throated twinspot (NE)
- Senegal lapwing
- Square-tailed nightjar
- Terrestrial brownbul
- Verreaux’s eagle
- Violet-backed starling
- White-crested helmet-shrike
- White-backed night heron
- Yellow-fronted tinkerbird
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching in Mkhaya is good year-round but at its best from November to April, when migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa are present. The dry months from June to September are the best wildlife-viewing months.