Egypt Plans...... Western Palearctic Birding Really Sphinx!

 With a bit of time in between trips, it has been good to re-evaluate our schedule for next year and take a look at different options. One thing that has come to light is the number of comments we've had this year about arranging a tour to Egypt. Looking at it, there's not many tours out there apart from an incredibly expensive Rockjumper trip and one by Naturetrek. That's more or less it. So i've been doing some research and the main thing that puts off birders from visiting is the very real risk of having your optics confiscated upon arrival in Cairo, Hurghada or any other airport over there. Well, what if I could change all that? I have contacts with the authorities over there and everything is progressing quite well - so far. So much so that i've taken the plunge and am heading to Cairo in September to check everything out. 

Greater Painted Snipe can be found all the way along the Nile from Cairo to Abu Simbel

So what's the draw? Well, Egypt must rank as one of the top Western Palearctic birding destinations there is and a must-visit for all those WP listers out there. As far as I can see there's up to 30 prized WP species to be had there:

1. African Swamphen

2. Reed Cormorant

3. Pink-backed Pelican - erratic these days

4. Yellow-billed Stork

5. Lappet-faced Vulture

6. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

7. Greater Painted Snipe

8. Three-banded Plover

9. Kittlitz's Plover

10. Senegal Thick-knee

11. Crab-Plover

12. African Collared Dove - probably extinct in Egypt?

13. Senegal Coucal

14: White-eyed Gull

15. Sooty Gull

16. Saunders's Tern

17. White-cheeked Tern

18. Great Crested Tern

19. White-cheeked Tern

20. Bridled Tern

21. Brown Booby

22. Sooty Falcon

23. African Green Bee-eater

24. Brown-throated/Plain Martin

25. Nile Valley Sunbird

26. Streaked Weaver

27. Village Weaver

28. Red Avadavat

29. Indian Silverbill

30. African Pied Wagtail

The tricky Senegal Coucal can be seen at several sites around Cairo

Not a bad haul then?! Even if you've done Kuwait there's still a bunch of birds you've still got to get in Egypt. I will know more after my visit during late September and I will post updates each day here on the blog. I'm planning on a short tour in April 2026 doing the lower Nile from Luxor to Abu Simbel, with a longer 14/16 day trip in September 2026. 

We've already started a waiting list, so if you want to register your interest please email us - info@zootherabirding.com   

As soon as we have finalised the tours we will let you know, before they reach the Zoothera website.