Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters happen beneath a forest canopy, where birds are heard before they are seen, and patience matters more than spectacle. Across Africa and beyond, indigenous forests shelter remarkable birdlife that is often overlooked in favour of open savannahs and classic safari routes.
In South Africa’s indigenous forests and further afield, rare birds thrive quietly out of sight, writes Lee-Ann Steyn.
The quiet power of forest birding
Forest birding demands a shift in mindset. Species are often hearForests with hidden birdlife gems you’ve never heard ofd before they are seen, and success depends on slowing down, listening and learning the layers of a living forest. These environments support specialists that exist nowhere else, birds shaped by low light, dense vegetation and complex ecosystems.
From mistbelt forests in KwaZulu-Natal to tropical rainforests in Central Africa, these destinations offer a kind of wildlife travel that feels intimate and earned.
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South Africa’s under-the-radar forest birding hotspots
Entumeni Forest, KwaZulu-Natal
Tucked into the mistbelt near Eshowe, Entumeni Forest feels primeval and deeply atmospheric. Giant yellowwoods tower above winding trails, while the forest floor remains cool and shaded even on warm days.
Birders come here for true forest specialists. African broadbill calls echo through the undergrowth, while Narina trogon flashes crimson and emerald as it slips between branches. The forest also supports green twinspot, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and an impressive variety of raptors that patrol the canopy edges. Entumeni remains lightly visited, making each sighting feel personal rather than staged.
Dlinza Forest, Eshowe
Dlinza Forest/Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE/Wikimedia Commons
Perched above Eshowe, Dlinza Forest is one of the most accessible scarp forests in the country, yet it still feels surprisingly wild. A raised canopy boardwalk offers a rare opportunity to experience birding at treetop level.
Purple-crested turacos glide across clearings, while Spotted Ground Thrush moves cautiously through leaf litter below. Narina trogon, Olive Woodpecker and African Green Pigeon round out a species list that rewards both novice and experienced birders. The boardwalk adds a strong visual and experiential hook for storytelling.
Marutswa Forest, southern KwaZulu-Natal
Cape Parrot/Dave Brown, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Near Bulwer, Marutswa Forest is a classic mistbelt forest that feels increasingly rare in modern South Africa. Thick mosses coat branches, and the air carries a constant cool dampness.
This forest is one of the best places in the country to encounter Cape parrot in its natural habitat. Orange Ground Thrush, African Crowned Eagle and Narina trogon are also present, though patience is essential. Marutswa lends itself to stories about forest conservation and the quiet persistence of species that depend on shrinking habitats.
Weza-Ngele Forest, KwaZulu-Natal
One of the largest remaining mistbelt forest complexes, Weza-Ngele Forest offers an extraordinary density of birdlife. Over 200 species have been recorded here, making it one of the province’s richest forest birding areas.
Cape parrot, Knysna turaco and numerous cuckoos thrive in the layered canopy. Walking trails and forest roads allow birders to explore different elevations and forest structures, each supporting its own mix of species. Weza-Ngele works well as a deeper wilderness counterpoint to more accessible forests like Dlinza.
Knysna Forest and the Garden Route woodlands
Knysna turacos/Anton Frolich/Wikimedia Commons
While the Garden Route is no secret, its forest birdlife often plays second fiddle to beaches and viewpoints. Knysna Forest and the surrounding indigenous woodlands deserve their own moment.
Knysna turaco, Narina trogon and African Emerald Cuckoo feature regularly, while the elusive Knysna Warbler lurks in denser patches. Framing the area through its forest ecology rather than its coastal appeal offers a fresh angle on a well-known destination.
Forest birding beyond South Africa
Dark-capped bulbul at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park/© Giles Laurent, gileslaurent.com/Wikimedia Commons
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Known globally for gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is also one of Africa’s most important birding destinations. More than 350 bird species inhabit this ancient rainforest, including many Albertine Rift endemics.
African Green Broadbill, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Dark-capped Bulbul, and Grauer’s Rush Warbler make this a bucket-list forest for serious birders. Dense vegetation and steep terrain turn birding into an adventure that feels exploratory rather than curated.
Kumbira Forest, Angola
Gabela Akalat/Zieger M/Wikimedia Commons
Angola’s Kumbira Forest remains one of the continent’s most under-covered birding destinations. This Guineo-Congolian forest hosts over 200 recorded species, including the near-mythical Pulitzer’s Longbill and Gabela Akalat.
Limited infrastructure and minimal tourism give Kumbira a frontier feel. The forest offers powerful storytelling potential around rediscovery, conservation and the role of local communities in protecting rare species.
Why forest birding tells a different travel story
Birding from forest floor to canopy
Forests operate vertically, with different species occupying different layers. From skulking ground birds to canopy specialists, these destinations encourage travellers to engage with nature in three dimensions. Elevated walkways, steep trails and dense undergrowth all shape the experience.
Forest specialists over checklist species
Rather than ticking off high-profile animals, forest birding focuses on species shaped by specific habitats. African broadbill, Spotted Ground Thrush and Pulitzer’s Longbill become symbols of place rather than trophies.
Slow travel and deeper connection
Forest birding naturally slows the pace. Walks replace drives, and listening becomes as important as seeing. This creates space for storytelling that centres ecology, conservation and the human relationship with forests.
Planning a forest-focused birding escape
- Visit during breeding season when birds are more vocal and active
- Hire local guides who understand forest calls and behaviour
- Pack muted clothing and prepare for damp conditions
- Allow time for repeated walks along the same trails
Forests reward familiarity. Each return visit reveals something new.
The quiet magic of overlooked forests
Indigenous forests hold some of the most intricate ecosystems on the planet, yet they remain undervalued in mainstream travel narratives. By shifting the focus from open plains to shaded paths, travellers discover a different kind of wildlife experience, one built on patience, curiosity and respect for complexity.
These forests prove that extraordinary encounters often happen where fewer people are looking.
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