April is one of the finest months for birdwatching in southern Egypt, and I was delighted to welcome another enthusiastic group from Zoothera Birding for several days of birding around Aswan and Abu Simbel.
The tour focused on some of the most sought-after Western Palearctic specialties found along the Nile Valley and Lake Nasser.
Despite the late arrival of the group due to flight delays, the birds quickly made up for the lack of sleep.
Arrival in Aswan
The group arrived in Aswan after midnight following delayed international and domestic flights. I met everyone at Aswan Airport and transferred them across the Nile to their accommodation on the West Bank. Even before the official birding began, the excitement was building for the days ahead.
The following morning started perfectly, with our first Nile Valley Sunbirds feeding around flowering shrubs near the lodge. This endemic Nile Valley specialty is always a highlight for visiting birders and offered excellent views from the very beginning.
Birding the Nile Around Aswan
Our first full day was spent exploring the Nile by boat, one of the most productive ways to experience the rich birdlife of Aswan.
Throughout the day we enjoyed superb sightings of:
- Nile Valley Sunbird
- Senegal Thick-knee
- African Green Bee-eater
- African Swamphen
- Purple Heron
- Little Bittern
- Pied Kingfisher
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Gull-billed Tern
- Whiskered Tern
One of the most impressive spectacles was the continuous movement of herons, bee-eaters and terns along the river. More than forty Purple Herons were recorded during the day, accompanied by several Little Bitterns showing remarkably well.
The Nile was alive with activity, and the combination of birds, islands, reedbeds and traditional scenery created a memorable introduction to Upper Egypt birding.
An Unexpected Reed Cormorant
The following morning delivered one of the surprises of the trip.
While waiting for our transfer before dawn, a pair of Reed Cormorants appeared on the Nile close to the lodge. This species is usually associated with Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser, making the observation in Aswan highly unexpected.
Little did we know at the time that these birds would become the group’s only Reed Cormorants of the entire tour.
For Western Palearctic birders, Reed Cormorant remains one of Egypt’s most desirable target species, and finding them in Aswan was an excellent bonus.
Philae Lake and African Pied Wagtail
Our next excursion took us to Philae Lake, where a quieter morning was transformed by another excellent discovery.
While scanning the shoreline, we located a pair of African Pied Wagtails. After carefully manoeuvring the boat for better views, the birds perched on an abandoned boat wreck and one began singing at close range.
The encounter provided outstanding views of another major Western Palearctic rarity and became one of the most memorable moments of the Aswan section of the tour.
South to Abu Simbel
After successful birding around Aswan, we headed south to Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser, one of the most exciting birding destinations in Egypt.
Recent reports of Crimson-rumped Waxbill had generated considerable interest, and this species became our primary target upon arrival.
Our first stop produced only brief views of a single bird disappearing into dense vegetation. Fortunately, persistence paid off. A short distance away we located a small group coming to drink among the reeds, eventually allowing prolonged and excellent views.
Watching several Crimson-rumped Waxbills perched in the reeds for nearly twenty minutes was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the entire tour.
Lake Nasser Specialties
Abu Simbel once again demonstrated why it has become famous among Western Palearctic birders.
During our explorations around the lake we recorded:
Crimson-rumped Waxbill
Yellow-billed Stork
Kittlitz’s Plover
African Pied Wagtail
Village Weaver
Plain Martin
Clamorous Reed Warbler
African Green Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Greater Hoopoe-Lark
A particularly productive afternoon produced more than ten Kittlitz’s Plovers and six Yellow-billed Storks, both giving excellent views along the shoreline.
Village Weavers on Lake Nasser
One of the most enjoyable days involved a boat trip among the islands of Lake Nasser.
After navigating through the vast waters of the lake, we reached reed-fringed islands where several Village Weavers were actively breeding. The bright yellow males glowed in the sunshine and provided outstanding photographic opportunities.
For many participants, this was their first experience with the species and another valuable addition to their Western Palearctic lists.
A Successful Southern Egypt Extension
Further reading: Full Zoothera Birding trip report — Egypt: Nile Valley Tour Report, April 2026
By the time the group departed for Cairo, we had recorded all of the principal southern Egyptian target species except for a few highly localized possibilities.
Particular highlights included:
- Nile Valley Sunbird
- Reed Cormorant
- African Pied Wagtail
- Crimson-rumped Waxbill
- Village Weaver
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Kittlitz’s Plover
- Senegal Thick-knee
- African Green Bee-eater
- Plain Martin
It was a pleasure guiding another excellent Zoothera Birding group through Aswan and Abu Simbel. Southern Egypt continues to prove itself as one of the most exciting birding regions in the Western Palearctic, offering a unique blend of African specialties, spectacular scenery and unforgettable birding experiences.
I look forward to welcoming more birders to the Nile Valley in the seasons ahead.
Aswan Birdwatching offers guided birding tours on the Nile, Lake Philae, and Lake Nasser throughout the year. For group tours, bespoke itineraries, and collaboration with international birding tour operators, get in touch with local guide Ismael Khalifa.