Last Updated on July 18, 2026
Birdwatching has grown in popularity as more people have become interested in biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and understanding the natural world that surrounds us.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many looked for outdoor activities that were safe and close to home. Birdwatching fit those needs, and many newcomers continued the hobby afterward.
Improved equipment including better smartphone cameras have made observing and photographing birds easier than ever before not to mention the ability to use apps to identify species. Birdwatching is relatively inexpensive, and of utmost importance, spending time outdoors with a focus on nature can be both relaxing and restorative in addition to mindfulness and closer attention paid to one’s surroundings.
“There are few experiences quite like spotting a rare or iconic species in its natural habitat,” Leticia Smith, Travel Insurance Expert at AllClear, said in a statement. “For those looking for a rewarding, but calming way to experience the natural world, birdwatching offers an immersive outdoor adventure that can be enjoyed at a gentle pace without the physical demands of more strenuous activities.”
AllClear Travel Insurance analyzed 115 birdwatching hotspots worldwide to identify the best destinations for 2026. Each location was scored on species diversity, climate, accessibility, and cost, to determine the top 20 destinations around the globe for birdwatching with the best birding scores out of 100.
Peru dominates the top of the rankings, with Manú National Park and Tambopata National Reserve taking first and second place as the world’s best birdwatching destinations, respectively. Scoring 83.1 out of 100 in the study, Manú National Park, considered one of the most biodiverse places on the planet has up to 776 species on offer (including the Andean Cock-of-the-rock), Peru’s flame-orange national bird, and reliable sightings of other iconic birds, offering a thrilling experience for wildlife lovers.
Tambopata National Reserve in the southern Peruvian Amazon follows in second place with a score of 67.5/100, making it the go-to country for travelers eager to experience remarkable birdwatching. Its spectacular clay licks draw hundreds of parrots and macaws at a time, creating one of the most breathtaking bird views in the natural world.
Tsavo East National Park in Kenya completes the top three, scoring 59.8 out of 100. One of Africa’s largest national parks, Tsavo East’s vast open savannah and riverine woodland create the perfect habitat for an extraordinary range of wildlife, from the iconic lilac-breasted roller to the vibrant Von der Decken’s hornbill. Tsavo East is one of the more remote destinations in the rankings, but for those willing to make the journey, the reward is truly spectacular.
Placing fourth, The Pantanal in Porto Jofre, Brazil is the world’s largest tropical wetland with a network of rivers, lakes and flooded grasslands providing a rich habitat for some of South America’s most spectacular birds. From the jabiru stork to the hyacinth macaw, there are around 500 different bird species that can be spotted in this location.
Nestled in the foothills of the western Andes, Milpe Bird Sanctuary in Ecuador takes fifth place in the rankings with a pleasant average temperature of 14°C (57.2°F), making conditions comfortable for long days spent out in the field. Milpe is one of the wetter destinations, though for most birdwatchers the chance to spot such a remarkable sighting of bird species more than makes up for the occasional rainforest downpour.
South America features prominently throughout the rankings, claiming six spots across the top 20, while Africa is also a standout. Kenya appears twice, while South Africa and Botswana also secure a spot each.
Three U.S. destinations feature in the top 20, including Cape May Point in New Jersey in 15th place, Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida in 17th and Moss Landing in California in 18th. Meanwhile, Europe claims two spot with Sweden’s Falsterbo Peninsula in 19th place, and England’s Titchwell Marsh rounding out the list in 20th – both highly regarded stops on the birdwatching calendar.
A listing of the world’s best birdwatching destinations from 1-20 includes:
- 1.Manú National Park, Peru/83.1
- 2. Tambopata National Reserve, Peru/67.5
- 3. Tsavo East National Park, Kenya/59.8
- 4. The Pantanal, Porto Jofre, Brazil/59.2
- 5. Milpe Bird Sanctuary, Ecuador/58.2
- 5. Carara National Park, Costa Rica/58.2 (tied)
- 7. Corcovado National Park Costa Rica/57.5
- 8. Keoladeo National Park, India/57.4
- 9. Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, Argentina/54.8
- 10. Kruger National Park, South Africa/53.3
- 11. Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia/53.2
- 12. Dry Tortugas National Park, USA (Florida)/52.3
- 13. Yala National Park, Sri Lanka/51.9
- 14. Amboseli National Park, Kenya/51.7
- 15. Moss Landing, USA (California)/51.3
- 16. Cape May Point, USA (New Jersey)/51.2
- 17. Chobe National Park, Botswana 51.1
- 18. Soberanía National Park, The Pipeline, Panama/50.9
- 19. Falsterbo Peninsula, Sweden/50.7
- 20. Titchwell Marsh, England/50.2
