Where to stay:
- For luxury canvas suites with a bird checklist upon arrival: Great Plains Mara Toto Tree Camp
- For wild cabins in forestland: Mukima Manor
- For glamping near unforgettable wildlife: Mara Intrepids Tented Camp
Bandhavgarh, India
An avian sanctuary of more than 250 bird species, the dense jungle of Bandhavgarh National Park supports birdlife from canopy dwellers to ground foragers. Birds to look out for include brahminy starlings, coppersmith barbets, Indian gray hornbills, Indian robins, plum-headed parakeets, and red-vented bulbuls. Moreover, the parkland is home to not one but four species of vulture, one of which is the critically endangered white-rumped vulture.
As for hospitality, relaxation comes easy within luxurious canvas tents alongside a comprehensive birdwatching program—especially those led by Oberoi’s expert naturalist, Soulin Chatterjee. (The hotel, mentioned below, can also arrange an immersive birdsong experience where guests can learn to distinguish India’s various species through their unique calls.)
Where to stay:
- For one of India’s newest wildlife retreats: Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort
- For a prime position amidst a vast swath of wildlife rich forest: Samode Safari Lodge
- For amenities mixed with culture and birdspotting: King’s Lodge
Anjavay, Madagascar
As one of the world’s last truly untouched frontiers, Madagascar’s Anjajavy is a remarkable sanctuary in which rare birdlife thrives undisturbed in its natural habitat. Sadly now extinct, the island was once home to the largest bird in the world, the incredible elephant bird. Today, much smaller and profoundly beautiful birds can be spotted in abundance, with the endemic crested coua standing out as the most photogenic, closely followed by the brilliantly named Eurasian hoopoe.
