Egypt - Birds & History

A phenomenal 6,000 years of recorded history and a prime position on the avian migration route between Africa and Europe combine to make Egypt one of the most exciting destinations for birdwatchers with an appreciation of the past. Nurtured by the life-giving waters of the river, one of the greatest civilisations ever to inhabit the Earth developed along the Nile Valley, leaving as monuments to their existence countless temples, pyramids and artefacts that today are numbered among the greatest historical sites in the world. Three continents exert their respective influences on a remarkably diverse avifauna, which is enriched and enhanced by the seasonal movements of migrants using the country as a staging post for longer journeys. By February and March, winter visitors and early migrants may be observed alongside the resident ‘specialities’ and with cooler weather conditions, this is an excellent time for birdwatching. As we travel along the River Nile, we will be visiting many of the best birding localities in Egypt but this is a tour that also pays homage to world-famous antiquities including the Pyramids, Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor.

We begin our tour in Cairo, the largest city in Africa. Here, we will visit the Giza Pyramids and the nearby Sphinx, which epitomise the reign of the Pharaohs. A further glimpse of ancient Egypt is provided in the fabulous Egyptian Museum, a cornucopia of ancient artefacts that includes the astounding treasures of Tutankhamun and masterpieces of early Egyptian bird art. After this splendid introduction to Egypt, we will then visit the wetland area around Fayoum for the next few days, as we search for Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, Senegal Coucal, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, White-winged Lapwing, White-headed Duck, Slender-billed Gull and many other waterbirds, enjoying wetland, field and desert habitats.

From here we return to Cairo, then travel by rail to Aswan, where we'll explore some of the islands in the Nile, as well as visit the stunning Temple of Philae. Around the islands we may come across such species as Ferruginous Duck, Wood Sandpiper, White-throated Kingfisher, herons and possibly Greater Painted Snipe.

We travel next to Abu Simbel, Egypt’s most southerly settlement, situated on the shores of Lake Nasser. Here, the African influences in the birdlife are evident in the appearance of such species as Egyptian Goose, African Pied Wagtail and African Collared Dove but there will also be Palearctic migrants to look for in the lakeside gardens. A boat ride on Lake Nasser will enable us to explore the secluded inlets and islands thronged with waterbirds and waders, amongst which we could see Pink-backed Pelicans and Yellow-billed Storks, two wanderers from Africa that occur here. The magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, saved from the rising waters of the lake by being moved block by block to higher ground, will be the focus of an afternoon tour and, in the evening, we have the option to attend a spectacular sound and light show.

We travel next to Luxor, in the Nile Valley, enjoying a relaxing Dahabiya cruise for some slower-paced travel, where a couple of nights on Crocodile Island should produce such species as Senegal Thick-knee, Purple Gallinule, Nile Valley Sunbird and Pied Kingfisher. On our first day in Luxor, we will visit the beautiful Temple of Luxor and during our 2-day stay, we will further enjoy the many spectacular sights of this former capital, steeped in six millennia of history. The Collosi of Memnon, Valleys of the Kings and Queens, and Karnak Temple will be unforgettable highlights to complement a fine selection of birds.

We return to Cairo for a connecting flight to London, concluding a memorable holiday to a country where ancient and modern worlds are inextricably linked, providing a unique background for some superlative birdwatching.