Local Community Bird Guides
An exciting initiative along all the birding routes is the availability of Community Bird Guides. The guides are affordable, provide improved security and valuable information on where elusive and special bird species may be found.
Birder Friendly Tour Operators
Click on any logo for more information.
Being a Birder Friendly tour operator
Birder Friendly Criteria
Tour operators are required to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for ‘Birder-Friendly' status:
- The Operator and its Guides must be fully accredited tour operators/guides.
- The Operator should be able to provide BirdLife Travel with itineraries for promotional purposes at local and international Trade Shows.
- The Operator must commit to the use and support of BirdLife South Africa's "Birder Friendly" accommodation suppliers where ever possible.
- The Operator must commit to the support of Community Bird Guides where possible.
- The Operator must commit to practicing responsible tourism ethics.
The benefits
For an annual subscription of R800, BirdLife South Africa is committed to offering Tour Operators of the Birder Friendly scheme the following benefits:
- Use of the ‘Birder Friendly' logo and branding
- A listing on the BirdLife South Africa Birding Routes website where clients will be able to contact your company directly for bookings
- Marketing at selected local and international trade shows.
- BirdLife South Africa membership
- The opportunity to market your products through the monthly newsletter
- Listing of special offers on the birding routes website and in the newsletter
- Marketing of selected itineraries through the BirdLife South Africa and the Birding Routes website
- Nomination for ‘Birder Friendly of the Year' award
For more information on how to register as a ‘Birder Friendly Tour Operator, please contact Nikki McCartney on +27 (0)83 636 1060 (mobile) or e-mail.