What is your favorite bird species?
My favorite bird is the Nile Valley Sunbird. It’s a delightful, energetic bird that infuses everyday life with beauty and vibrancy.
What is your name, and where do you live?
My name is Ismael Khalifa. I am a birder and birdwatching guide from Aswan, Egypt
White-throated Kingfisher
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
I normally cover all birding locations inside Aswan Governorate, including Aswan city (Nile) and Abu Simbel city (Lake Nasser).
African Swamphen
How long have you been a bird guide?
5 years
Yellow-billed Stork
How did you get into bird guiding?
Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by birds. I would spend hours watching and photographing them, often without knowing their names. In 2019, I decided to turn my passion into a focused pursuit. I started to study bird identification and created my first eBird account to keep a record of the species I was seeing. I took my learning a step further by completing three training courses (one basic and two advanced) to hone my skills. Over time, I became a familiar face in the local and national birding communities in my country. My knowledge of local bird species in Aswan started attracting attention, and I began guiding friends and even a few foreign residents in Egypt on birdwatching trips. As word of my expertise spread, the requests for my services grew. Now, I am proud to be one of the few professional birding guides in my city and the surrounding areas.
African Green Bee-eater
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
Becoming a bird guide offers incredible opportunities to deepen your passion. You’ll not only spend more time in the field, but you’ll also build a community of fellow birders. Sharing your knowledge with clients and helping them find the birds on their wish list can be incredibly fulfilling. It’s a special kind of pride to facilitate those “lifer” moments for others.
African Pied Wagtail
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that are the most interesting for visiting birders?
The top 10 Birds that are the most interesting in my area are:
- Nile Valley Sunbird
- African Swamphen
- Three-banded Plover
- Senegal Thick-knee
- African Green Bee-eater
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Ferruginous Duck
- Clamorous Reed Warbler
- White-throated Kingfisher
- Striated Heron
Top 5 species to spot in Abu Simbel (South of Aswan):
- Kittlitz’s Plover
- Village Weaver (New)
- Reed Cormorant (New)
- African Pied Wagtail
- Crimson-Rumped Waxbill (New)
Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip
I have two main trip options:
Standard Nile’s Islands Birding Trip
It is a 3-hour motorboat trip around the Cataract Islands and the Nile’s prime birding hotspots. I offer two convenient time slots: a morning tour from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and an optional sunset tour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This tour combines a serene journey through stunning natural landscapes with a unique birdwatching experience. You will sail past some of Aswan’s most notable attractions, including: Qubbet Elhawwa (Tombs of Nobles), Aswan Botanical Garden (Kitchener’s Island), Elephantine Island, Agha Khan Mausoleum, Old Cataract Hotel, and Saluga & Ghazal Nature Reserve.
During the trip, a checklist of 40-55 bird species is expected. We will focus on spotting key species such as the African Swamphen, Ferruginous Duck, Nile Valley Sunbird, African Green Bee-eater, Senegal Thick-knee, Purple Heron, Pale Crag-martin, and Little Bittern.
To make your experience even more enjoyable, the tour includes a short tea break and a free brochure of common birds of Egypt. This is a light and accessible birding trip, perfect for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.
Little Bittern
Specialized Lake Nasser Adventure
This is an intensive, two-day, one-night birding trip designed for advanced birders and those focusing on their Western Palearctic lists. It offers a prime opportunity to spot rare African specialties.
Day 1: Land Birding for African Specialties
Our first day is dedicated to land birding, where we will search for key species. We’ll be on the lookout for the Kittlitz’s Plover, African Pied Wagtail, and Crimson-rumped Waxbill. During the summer months, we also have the chance to spot the stunning Yellow-billed Stork.
Day 2: Lake Nasser Expedition
The second day begins with an early morning, 4-hour boat trip on Lake Nasser. This excursion is your best chance to find two species that are new to the Egyptian bird list: the Village Weaver and the Reed Cormorant. After we return from the lake, we can do another round of land birding if time permits before heading back to Aswan.
Overnight in Abu Simbel
As this is an overnight trip to Abu Simbel, you’ll have the unique opportunity to attend the famous Sound and Light Show at the Abu Simbel temples or enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, where you can order fresh Nile fish.
Reed Cormorant
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
Aswan is the perfect winter destination, as it is one of Egypt’s warmest cities. The winter season is ideal for spotting a wide variety of migratory and wintering birds.
During this time, you can expect to see several duck species, including the Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall. The city is also a great location for observing waders such as the Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Snipe, and Spotted Redshank.
Additionally, keep an eye out for other fascinating birds like the Eurasian Spoonbill, Western Marsh Harrier, Black Stork, Western Yellow Wagtail, Red-throated Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, and Bluethroat.
Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens to get the best views!
Northern Pintail
If any readers of 10,000 Birds are interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?
Contact details are as follows:
Phone: +201154882884 (WhatsApp)
Email: ismael_khalifa@hotmail.com
Website: https://aswanbirdwatching.com
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/aswan.birdwatching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Aswanbirdwatching
Three-banded Plover
I hired Ismael this past May for a day of guiding, and it was excellent. Not only does he know the birds and where to look for them, he also brings a passion and warmth that made the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting that area.