The Best Bird Watching Spots from Booking.com
Bird watching can be a fun hobby for people of all ages, combining the great outdoors with a relaxing activity. There are some incredible destinations all over the world brimming with beautiful birds so whether you’re an expert bird spotter or just enjoy the beauty of nature, there’s something for everyone. Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, delved into its over 1.4 million properties in over 120,000 destinations around the world and put together some great trip options, and of course where to stay, perfect for bird lovers!
One of the most iconic wildlife images is of elegant pink flamingos posing in the waters of Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley Kenya, a popular foraging site for these beautiful birds. Bird lovers may know that ‘Flamingo’ comes from the Spanish ‘Flamenco’, meaning fire and refers to their brightly coloured feathers. The area is also home to spectacular scenery of lakes, savanna and wildlife including rhinos, lions, leopards and other birds such as pelicans and ostriches, so it’s no surprise the area is endorsed for safari, nature and wildlife by Booking.com travellers. The top nationalities that booked this year include Chinese, British and Americans and top accommodation types include hotels, lodges and resorts.
Where to stay: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is in a great location in Lake Nakuru National Park and with stunning views of the lake. The chalet style accommodation provides guests with a patio, garden, a games room and outdoor pool.
Colourful Costa Rica is abundant with incredible birdlife, from toucans to parrots, quetzals and hummingbirds. The country is full of rainforests and nature reserves perfect for spotting all sorts of wildlife, including Montverde Cloud Forest, Tortugero National Park and Curi Cancha Reserve. Monteverde is a great place to stay, with Booking.com travellers loving it for its nature, rainforests and adventure - visitors can even go zip-lining above the cloud forest!
Where to stay: Rainbow Valley Lodge is just a 15 minute walk into Santa Elena town in the beautiful mountains of Monteverde. It offers gorgeous mountain views, lush gardens and terrace and you can easily plan any tours you want to do from here.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone National Park is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 70 species from swans and cranes to falcons and of course, the majestic bald eagle. Bird spotters will be able to spy these creatures soaring through the skies, particularly close to rivers and lakes and can easily identify them by their brown bodies and white tails and heads. If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone, stay in nearby Jackson which is endorsed by Booking.com travellers for its scenery, mountains and nature. The top nationalities that booked a stay here this year include Chinese, French and British. The top types of accommodation booked are motels, hotels and resorts.
Where to stay: Hotel Jackson is a stylish hotel that makes for a cosy stay with its roaring fireplace, restaurant, bars and hot tub. It’s a great place to start before exploring Yellowstone National Park which is right on Jackson’s doorstep.
The Brown Hawk Owl, also known as the brown boobook is identified by its hawk-like shape and long tail and can be found in South Asian rainforests, forests, parks and suburbs. Udawalawe, Sri Lanka, is a great place for spotting these incredible creatures in its famous national park, where you’ll also see elephants, crocodiles and leopards, to name a few. Udawalawe is one of the top destinations around the world endorsed for bird watching by Booking.com travellers, who also recommended it for its wildlife and nature.
Where to stay: Nature House is a great place to stay for exploring Udawalawe National Park. The rustic accommodation offers clean and comfy rooms and serves tasty Sri Lankan dishes every evening. The owner is very friendly and welcoming and can help arrange elephant safari tours during your stay.
The unique island of Helgoland is a wildlife haven and attracts tourists from all over because of its shopping and beaches and of course the stunning location. You’ll be able to spot wildlife including seals, gulls and beautiful gannets which nest here in thousands. Make sure you go to the Helgoland Bird Observatory, one of the world’s first bird focussed observatories and the reason why Helgoland is one of the top destinations around the world endorsed for bird watching by Booking.com travellers. The top types of accommodation booked in Helgoland this year are hotels, apartments and guest houses and the top nationalities that booked include Dutch, Danish and Swiss.
Where to stay: Haus Sabina offers bright apartments that look out over the lighthouse and is ideally situated right next to the beach and jetty, the perfect place to watch bird life over sunrise or sunset.
The Northumberland Coast is a bird watchers heaven and Seahouses is one of the top endorsed destinations for bird watching by Booking.com travellers who also endorsed it for beach walks and castles. Scattered a couple of miles offshore are the Farne Islands, home to 150,000 seabirds of over 23 species including puffins, guillemots and razorbills – don’t forget your camera as this is a great place to get up close with these incredible birds. The top accommodation types booked this year are bed and breakfasts, hotels and guest houses and the top nationalities that booked include German, Dutch and Australian.
Where to stay: St Cuthbert's House is a former chapel converted into a charming 200 year old Bed & Breakfast set on the rugged Northumberland coast, 10 minutes from the beach. Guests can enjoy a delicious local breakfast and honey made from the B&B’s very own bees!