Ismael Khalifa is a bird guide based in Aswan and the founder of Aswan Birdwatching.A profile of him will be published in our Bird Guide series on November 25, 2025.
Aswan, a city long celebrated for its ancient temples and tranquil felucca rides, also holds a quieter secret: It is one of the most rewarding birding destinations in Egypt, especially during the winter months.
Aswan City
As the northern hemisphere cools, Aswan’s mild, sunny climate becomes a refuge for a variety of birds. The Nile River and its lush islands around Aswan turn into a stopover for migratory birds escaping harsher European and Asian winters. Raptors such as the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, and Long-legged Buzzard can be seen in the skies.
Marsh Harrier
The waterways host many ducks and waders, including Northern Pintail, Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Common Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, and sandpipers such as Common, Wood, and Marsh Sandpiper.
Eurasian Wigeon
Alongside these migrants, Aswan also has interesting resident birds such as Nile Valley Sunbird, Pied Kingfisher, and Black-winged Stilt. Other species include Little Bittern, Senegal Thick-knee, African Green Bee-eater, White-throated Kingfisher, Striated Heron, and African Swamphen.
Nile Valley Sunbird
African Swamphen
Some of the best birding in Aswan is experienced from the water, where a felucca or small motorboat allows quiet passage through habitats with minimal disturbance.
Striated Heron
Three top birding spots are
Kitchener’s Island (Aswan Botanical Garden): The plants offer cover and food for Egyptian Geese, Common Bulbuls, Masked Shrikes, and a variety of herons and egrets.
Sehel Island: A smaller Nubian island with wetlands and sandy banks. Target birds here include Spur-winged Lapwing, African Green Bee-eater, and other riverine species
The First Cataract Islands: The rocky islands near the Aga Khan Mausoleum are a haven for waterbirds. Several species of kingfishers, including White-throated, can be seen here, along with herons, egrets, and waders.
White-throated Kingfisher
For birders considering winter destinations, Aswan offers practical advantages. It is far closer to Europe and the Middle East than many African birding hotspots, requiring fewer flight hours and making short trips realistic. Once there, the city is generally more affordable than comparable destinations: accommodation, local transport, and guiding costs remain moderate, allowing birders to spend more time in the field without stretching a budget. In addition, the proximity of birding sites to world-renowned historical landmarks allows for family vacations shared by birders and non-birders. Birding excursions can be easily combined with visits to temples, the High Dam, and Nubian villages.
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I would go for the sunbird! Probably get the stink eye from the wife for not paying attention to the archaelogy… Which monument would guarantee a chance for the sunbird?
I would go for the sunbird! Probably get the stink eye from the wife for not paying attention to the archaelogy… Which monument would guarantee a chance for the sunbird?