With, Wian van Zyl (a.k.a. SafariWian)

Birding is more than just a hobby; it’s a way of seeing the world anew.

When you first pick up a pair of binoculars or pause to listen to a call in the trees, something shifts. Suddenly, every flash of feathers, every burst of song, every movement in the branches above demands your attention. It’s as if you’ve stepped back into childhood, chasing frogs in the backyard or butterflies in a park, wide-eyed, curious, and full of wonder.

The Spark That Starts It All

Ask any birder and they’ll tell you: it often begins with a single encounter. We call it a spark bird - the one that ignites the fire.

From that moment, the search is on. Wagtails on a suburban lawn become fascinating. A flock of vultures in the Kruger National Park feels like treasure. Even a sewage pond transforms into an oasis of birdlife, with Avocets, crakes, and moorhens waiting to be discovered.

Birding turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Beyond the List: Birding as Adventure

Here’s the truth: birding isn’t just about ticking species off a list. At its core, it’s about adventure.

It takes you to places you’d never expect to find yourself. Who else travels to a quiet Northern Cape town like Pofadder in search of a small, desert-dwelling Red Lark? Yet birders from across the world make the journey, driven by the thrill of discovery.

Others venture deep into the Okavango Delta, hoping to glimpse the ghostly Pel’s Fishing Owl, or stand on the banks of the Kunene River on the Angola border, searching for the tiny Cinderella Waxbill. The birds may be the excuse, but the real reward is the journey itself.

A Different Way of Seeing the World

Birding changes the way you move through life.

It slows you down, grounds you, and makes you notice the details most people overlook: the rustle of reeds, the silhouette on a distant branch, the sudden hush before a bird takes flight.

It can take you from waiting quietly by a riverbank for a Finfoot to climbing rocky cliffs in the Drakensberg in search of the endemic Rockjumper. No two birding adventures are ever the same, and every encounter leaves you richer.

Accessible to All

The beauty of birding is its accessibility.

You don’t need to travel halfway across the world or invest in endless gear to get started. All it takes is curiosity and a willingness to step outside. From there, the adventure unfolds naturally.

Of course, the right gear makes the journey even better. Comfortable, reliable clothing that can handle early mornings, rugged trails, and sudden shifts in weather lets you focus on the experience instead of the discomfort. That’s why brands like Craghoppers are trusted by explorers and birders alike, because great adventures deserve great gear.

Step Into the Adventure

So here’s the challenge: step outside, take a deep breath, and open your eyes and ears to the wild around you.

Whether it’s a sunbird in your garden, a raptor soaring over the city skyline, or a fish eagle calling across a dam, you may just discover that birding isn’t simply a pastime.

It’s a doorway to a lifetime of adventure.

My Challenge To New Birders

As a start, try finding these five relatively common species local to your area — it may just open a whole new world for you.

Gauteng

1. Hadeda Ibis – You’ll hear them before you see them!
2. Cape Sparrow – Often seen in gardens and parks.
3. Blacksmith Lapwing – Common near dams and open grassy areas.
4. Fiscal Shrike (Common Fiscal) – Perched on fences and poles, scanning for prey.
5. Grey Go-away-bird – A Gauteng favourite with its quirky call and crest.

Cape Town

1. Cape White-eye – Lively and always on the move in gardens.
2. Fiscal Flycatcher – Small, striking, and often spotted on garden perches.
3. African Sacred Ibis – Frequently found in wetlands and parks.
4. Hartlaub’s Gull – Common along the coastline.
5. Cape Bulbul – A bubbly garden regular with a cheerful call.

Durban

1. Red-eyed Dove – Their gentle “I am glad to see you” call fills suburban mornings.
2. Village Weaver – Bright yellow, busy around rivers and gardens.
3. Olive Sunbird – Found in forest edges and flowering gardens.
4. Hadeda Ibis – Iconic across the country, including the coast.
5. Pied Kingfisher – A joy to watch hovering over lakes and estuaries.

Bloemfontein

1. Laughing Dove – Found just about everywhere.
2. Red-billed Quelea – Africa’s most abundant bird, often in flocks.
3. Cape Turtle Dove – Common in open areas and farms.
4. Southern Masked Weaver – Building intricate nests in trees near water.
5. Crowned Lapwing – Easily spotted on sports fields and open grasslands.

Found them?
Pick your next five targets — and get out there!