Eilat Bird Festival

The Eilat Bird Festival brings together birders from around the world for five unforgettable days during the peak of spring migration. Eilat’s diverse habitat of salt marshes, ponds, agricultural fields, and kibbutz gardens attract millions of migratory species as they funnel through the area on their way north from Africa to Europe and Asia. Eilat provides important stopover sites for open-country birds looking for food and water after their long crossing of the Sahara Desert, while local desert species are in full breeding activity. The Eilat Bird Festival is by far the best value package for birding Eilat and southern Israel during the peak of spring migration with the best bird tour leaders in Israel.

Over 200 species of birds are possible, as well as a nice list of reptiles and mammals. Highlights include Black Scrub-Robin, Steppe Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Greater Flamingo, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Arabian Bee-eater, Dead Sea Sparrow, and so much more.

The festival is based in Eilat with field trips to all major sites and key species of Southern Israel. The festival includes pickup and transfer from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, lodging, transportation in Israel in air-conditioned vehicles, entry fees, and birding program at some of the best hotspots in southern Israel. The full itinerary is available on the website. Not included: flights, visas, insurance, lunch (we will stop everyday where light lunches can be purchased), communication, beverages, laundry, tips for drivers and guides.

The 2026 Eilat Bird Festival will coincide with the Champions of the Flyway bird race held on March 25. Teams from around Israel and the world will race for 24 hours to find as many birds as possible and claim the title of Champions of the Flyway 2026 to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of threatened falcons in Israel. Festival participants will join in with the fun and keep a list of all the birds seen that day as a group, and will celebrate together with all the teams at the closing ceremony brunch on March 26.

The festival will be based at the Kibbutz Eilot just outside of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Eilat. The Kibbutz welcomes us with friendly hospitality, clean, comfortable rooms surrounded by the beautiful kibbutz gardens, great food, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.