As avid birdwatchers ourselves, we are always delighted when we receive queries from others like us, be they novices or experienced ornithologists. Birding in South Africa offers so many opportunities to see a vast variety of birds, from the seas, the dams, marshes and rivers to the deep bush and mountains. In summer, the migrants add glorious colour and sound to our magnificent country.

1 Southern Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal

From Johannesburg, travel to Wakkerstroom for 2 nights. This is home to rarer Highveld species and wetland birds, such as korhaans, cranes, wydahs, shrikes and larks. We could be lucky and find the Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks.

From Wakkerstroom we travel through the Midland battlefields to Ulundi and close by, we could spend one night at Simunye where you can experience traditional Zulu hospitality.

The next day, we move on to Eshowe for 2 nights to visit the Dlinza Forest, where we hope to find the Delegorgue’s Pigeon, Purplecrested Lourie and Narina Trogon. In the forest also is an aerial boardwalk to a 20 metre high viewing platform in the canopy of the trees from which you have a panoramic view of the forest towards the Indian Ocean.

After Eshowe, we visit St Lucia and False Bay, and stay there for another 2 nights. The area is famous for its wetlands and sand forests, as well as the hippos, crocodiles, pelicans and flamingos. We look for the small Pink Throated Twinspot here.

We visit a game reserve and spend a couple of days in either the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi or Mkuzi National Parks where there are over 400 species of birds, and contain also the ‘Big 5’.

From there, we return to Johannesburg for your flight home.

2 Limpopo Province and Kruger

The first stop on the way from Johannesburg to the Limpopo Province is the Nylsvlei Nature Reserve. This is the largest natural vlei in the province lying on the floodplain of the Nyl River. It is home to aquatic, river and land birds and in the breeding season supports colonies of the great white egret, gallinules, squacco heron, bittern and others.

After 2 nights we travel north to Tshipisi. The whole forest area is known for it’s colourful birds, bee-eaters, green pigeons and parrots. We have seen the Collared Sunbird here and the African Scops Owl. We would also look for the Greenbacked Heron, the Dwarf and Little Bitterns.

We stay here for another 2 or more nights before moving into the Kruger National Park, through the Pafuni Gate to the camp at Punda Maria.

Punda Maria is situated in sandstone hills with wide sandveld flats to the north and a Mopani belt to the south. It is a wonderful area in which to see a wide variety of birds, which would include ground hornbills, korhaans, rollers and bee-eaters. ‘Specials’ include Longtrailed Starling, Tropical Boubou and Arnot’s Chat.

From Punda Maria, we will drive south to Letaba camp for two days. On the drive to and at Letaba, we will see a variety of game. We will look for various raptors, eagles and vultures, as well as the colourful rollers, saddlebilled and other storks, coucals, shrikes etc. The raptors here include the Bateleur Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle (summer resident), Martial Eagle, goshawks and buzzards. We also look for the Giant Eagle Owl and the tiny Pearl Spotted Owl.

From Kruger National Park, we return to Johannesburg, to your hotel or the airport.

Whilst we are dedicated birdwatchers ourselves, we have additional leaders who are experienced and knowledgable and between us , we aim to make sure you get the most out of your trip. We are deeply interested in south African ecology and enjoy bringing to you a broader perspective on the areas we visit.

Accommodation
Accommodation is as described in the National Parks, and outside of the Parks, we find comfortable accommodation in lodges, guest houses and farms close to the birding sites. We attempt to tailor this to meet your budgetary needs.

These tours are samples to whet your appetite as we offer a customised travel experience.