12 Day Birding Tour in South Africa

Limpopo and Northern Kruger National Park
24th January to 4th February 2010

While the Kruger National Park is undoubtedly the main tourism feature of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, there is a lot more to see and this is especially true for the birder. This tour aims to make the most of these specific habitats to create a large and diverse bird and mammal list.

Baobabs, Elephants and Eagles - Tour Itinerary

Day 1 and 2: Dinonyane; Nylsvley

• After arriving in Johannesburg head north to Dinonyane, situated alongside the Nylsvley floodplain, one of the most important wetland habitats in South Africa.
• We have two nights here and will spend our time birding in the area from vehicle and on foot, and also visiting some of the viewing hides in the reserve.
• Birding and wildlife highlights include Dwarf Bittern, Rufous-bellied Heron, Southern Pied Babbler, White-backed Duck, Black Heron, African Marsh Harrier, Lesser Moorhen, Barred Wren-Warbler, Black-faced Waxbill, Crimson-breasted Shrike and many more. Bushpig, Roan Antelope, Giraffe Burchell’s Zebra and Impala are some of the mammals to be seen here.

Day 3 and 5: Magoebaskloof Hotel, Magoebaskloof.

• After Dinonyane head north-east to Magoebaskloof, a forested region in the eastern escarpment.
• We stay here for two nights, with the nearby Woodbush Forest being the main area of interest.
• Plenty of time is needed in the forest, as the biridng can be rather difficult due to the dim lighting and poor visibility in the forest.
• Birding and wildlife highlights include Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Bat Hawk, Orange Ground-Thrush, Cape Parrot, Knysna Turaco, Brown Scrub-Robin, African Crowned Eagle, Emerald Cuckoo and many others.

Days 5 to 8: The Kruger National Park

• From Magoebaskloof head further north-east to the Kruger National Park, where our first camp is Punda Maria Rest Camp, the most northerly public camp in the park.
• The highlight of this area is the Levuvhu River Floodplain, where we will spend much of our time. Other habitats around the camp include rocky outcrops covered by gigantic Baobab trees.
• Our second camp is Shingwedzi Rest Camp further south, which is situated on the floodplain of the lazy Shingwedzi River.
• Birding and wildlife highlights include Tropical Boubou, Meve’s Starling, Grey-headed Parrot, Bohm’s Spinetail, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Crested Guineafowl and spectacular mammals such as Elephant, Hippo, Cape Buffalo and Lion.

Days 9 and 10: Senalala Game Lodge; Klaseri Game Reserve

• After leaving the Kruger National Park we will head into the adjacent Klaseri Game Reserve, one of several large private conservancies that border and are open to the Kruger.
• We stay at Senalala for two nights, where we have the entire camp to ourselves and will be able to devote as much time to birding and game viewing as we wish, which will be conducted via open vehicle safaris and bush walks.
• Birding and wildlife highlights include Bronze-winged Courser, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Burchell’s Coucal, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, Bateleur, Red-crested Korhaan, Green Wood-Hoopoe, Purple Roller, Double-banded Sandgrouse and mammals such as Giraffe, Impala, Kudu, Steenbok, Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey and many others.

Day 11: The Blyde River Canyon

• After a last activity at Senalala head westwards into the northern Drakensberg Escarpment to the Blyde River Canyon.
• We’ll take in some of the sights of the area, such as the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, birding at the same time. The resort grounds also provide excellent birding.
• Birding and wildlife highlights include Taita Falcon, Cape Vulture, White-necked Raven, Cape Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Striped Pipit, Black Swift, Rock Kestrel, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Cape Rock-Thrush and many others.

Day 12: Departure

• After a last morning walk at the resort we’ll have breakfast and depart for Johannesburg and the airport.

Other Highlights and Attractions

The big game of the Kruger National Park, an array of scenic delights, the highlights of the Panorama route as well as wonderful accommodations and cuisine.

What's Included in Your Tour

• Accommodation
• All meals
• Ground transport
• Bottled water in vehicles whilst travelling
• Game drives in open vehicles when in private reserves
• Personalised bird and mammal checklists
• Entrance fees
• National Park Conservation fees where necessary
• Specialist guide fees
• Single accommodation for tour leader

What's Not Included

• All airfares
• Travel and medical insurance
• All drinks
• Optional night drives when in Kruger Park
• Excursions not mentioned in the itineraries
• Items of a personal nature

To find out more about any of our birding tours, please email us or call on 0844 415 0155

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