Birding on St Helena - the South Atlantic's Remote Sanctuary

One of the remotest islands on Earth, a truly extraordinary place to visit. Nearly halfway between southern Africa and Brazil, the subtropical St Helena Island rises dramatically from the midst of the South Atlantic Ocean. Made accessible by the opening of an airport in 2017 (previously, there was only access by sea), the island is today served by air from both Cape Town and Johannesburg. 

The 47 sq. mile island is home to a globally important natural environment, both land and sea, with spectacularly contrasting scenery and astounding biodiversity – all available within a few minutes’ drive. The island’s unique culture and cuisine reflect the melting pot of peoples and nationalities that have transited St Helena since its discovery in 1502. The community of around 4,400 ‘Saints’ is renowned for being safe (serious crime is a rarity), welcoming (the driver of each car waves to the other as they pass) and more deeply connected to ‘people and planet’ than to modern technology (mobile phones were introduced in late 2015). The island holds further historical significance as the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, who arrived in 1815 and never left, dying there in 1821. An off-the-beaten-track, bucket-list location, St Helena is a breath of fresh air in today’s busy modern world.

Flora and sea life are abundant on and around St Helena, and for bird watchers this is a paradise, where the the only endemic species, the Wirebird, shares the island with Red-billed Tropicbird, White (fairy) Tern, Java Sparrow, Masked Booby, Zebra Dove, Black Noddy,  Brown Noddy, Indian Myna, Storm Petrel, Brown Booby, Yellow Canary, Common Waxbill, Madagascar Fody, Sooty Tern, and others. 

A 7-night / 8-day option to visit St Helena is also possible, with flights in/out of Johannesburg. Additional sights, birding spots and historical attractions are included, along with marine wildlife adventures.