Birdwatching isn't normally regarded as an adrenaline sport, but with the outstanding avifauna to be found in and around the Falls, serious 'twitchers' (as keen birdwatchers are known) might disagree.

Even the casual visitor with little interest will often see fish eagles, Egyptian geese, lots of kingfishers, numerous different bee-eaters, ibis (including sacred), and various other storks, egrets and herons. Meanwhile, avid twitchers will be seeking the more elusive birds like Taita falcon, as they occur only rarely and the Batoka Gorge is certainly one of the best sites to look for them. Rock pratincoles have almost as restricted a distribution (just following the Zambezi), but can often be seen here balancing on boulders by the water's edge and hawking for insects, while African skimmers can be found nesting upon sandy shores of islands. Look in the riverine forest around the Falls and you may spot a collared palm thrush rummaging around, and again these are really quite rare birds recorded in only a few areas.

In contrast, African finfoot occur throughout the subcontinent, but are always shy. They prefer slow water, overhung with leafy branches, and they find the upper sections of the Zambezi perfect, so are often seen there if you look when it's quiet.

Bob Stjernstedt, known locally as 'Bob the Birder' (tel: +263 11 421679; email: bob@zamnet.zm) is one of Zambia's leading ornithologists. He is based in Livingstone and leads guided birdwatching excursions in the area for US$50 half day, or US$100 full day.