Our Story
Rooted in Aswan. Recognised by the World.
Aswan Birdwatching was founded by Ismael Khalifa, a field naturalist, citizen scientist, and lifelong birder born and raised on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt. Growing up in Aswan, Ismael spent years watching the river’s wildlife long before birding had a formal name in his life. In 2019, that passion became a profession. He started intensive bird studying, then he completed three specialist birding courses, created his first eBird account, and began the systematic fieldwork across Aswan’s Nile islands, reedbeds, and Lake Nasser shorelines that now forms the foundation of every trip he guides.
Today, Aswan Birdwatching is recognised as one of the leading birdwatching tour providers in Aswan and trusted by birders from across Europe, North America, and beyond, and recommended by international specialists who know Egypt’s birding scene well.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to share the birds of Aswan with the world, and to do it with the honesty, precision, and passion that this extraordinary place deserves. Every trip we guide is a contribution to the experience of our guests, to the documentation of Egyptian ornithology, and to the future of the wild landscapes we depend on.
Our Vision
To make Aswan the first name that comes to mind when serious birders think about Egypt and to prove that responsible, expert-led ecotourism is the most sustainable path forward for southern Egypt’s natural heritage.
Our Team
Ismael Khalifa
Lead Guide & Founder
Ayat A. Omar
Media Manager
Youssef Ashraf
Bird Photographer
Mizo Emam
Boat Captain