birding...

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Information
Satellite View
This is the third-largest canyon in the world and one of Africa's scenic wonders. The Blyde River flows through this 700-metre deep chasm into the Swadini Dam at the mouth of the canyon. The 27 000-hectare Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve supports a diverse range of habitats, including mistbelt grassland, sheer cliffs, riverine forest and dense savanna. Two Aventura Resorts operate in the reserve, one above the canyon and the other below, offering excellent accommodation and ideal opportunities to explore a network of walking trails. Well-wooded resort grounds offer some of the best birding in the nature reserve, including Mocking Cliff-Chat, Cape Rock Thrush, Striped Pipit, Knysna and Purple-crested Turacos, Drakensberg Prinia, Lazy Cisticola, African Pied and Long-tailed Wagtails, Greater and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Orange-breasted and Olive Bush Shrike, Brimstone Canary and Golden-breasted Bunting. View points into the canyon are ideal for raptor watching and this must rate as one of South Africa's raptor hot-spots. Regular sightings include Verreaux's Eagle, Cape Vulture, Jackal Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, African Goshawk and White-necked Raven. The ultimate prize is Taita Falcon - an incredibly rare little falcon that nests nearby and occasionally flies over.

Kaapsehoop

Satellite View
The small hamlet of Kaapsehoop is situated 30 kilometres south-west of Nelspruit. The area consists of gradually undulating mistbelt grassland, with some rocky outcrops and forested pockets restricted to moist valleys. The rare and endangered Blue Swallow breeds in the grasslands and the Blue Swallow Natural Heritage Site has been formed to afford protection for this globally threatened species. Access to the reserve can be gained by engaging a local resident guide trained by BirdLife South Africa. There is bed and breakfast and private guesthouse accommodation in the village and a good variety of accommodation in nearby Nelspruit. Blue Swallow is the major attraction between September and April but other rare species include Striped Flufftail and Black-rumped Buttonquail. Other good birds to find include Black-winged Lapwing, Cape Grassbird, Cape Longclaw, Drakensberg Prinia, Buff-streaked chat, Gurney's Sugarbird and Long-billed Pipit. Forest pockets below the plateau are good for Grey Cuckooshrike, Olive Bush Shrike, Bush Blackcap, Chorister Robin-Chat and Knysna Touraco. Barratt's Warbler is in low vegetation on the forest fringe.

Kruger National Park

Website
Satellite View
This fabulous national park needs little introduction and is already well known and as a priority birding destination in South Africa. A diversity of savannahs, tropical grasslands and riverine forests covering an area the size of Wales makes for an overwhelming array of birds. Both birds and wildlife are more confiding than those in denser habitats, making for easy birding and great photographic opportunities. Some of the readily found specials include Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Lappet-faced Vulture, Lilac-breasted Roller, Southern White-crowned Shrike and African White-throated Robin-Chat. Add to this a range of mammals like Lion, African Elephant, both Black and White Rhinos, African Buffalo, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dog, and you get an unbeatable combination. Accommodation is of a good standard and affordable, ranging from basic campsites to luxurious bungalows.

Kruger National Park - Central

Website
Satellite View
The habitat, south of Letaba is undulating with mixed combretum and the eastern part dominated by acacia thornveld and marula on grassveld. Little Swifts, Bat Hawk, Horus Swift, White-crowned Lapwing and Black Stork.

Kruger National Park - North

Website
Satellite View
The western half is Mopane Woodland which is not as good for birds. Mopane shrubland in the eastern grasslands has a special appeal with loads of game. Pafuri would be the preferred birding area with several birds which reach their most southern limit and can be seen nowhere else in South Africa, south of the Limpopo River. Grey-headed Parrot, Bohm's- and Mottled Spinetails, Meve's Starling, Dickinson's Kestrel and Racket-tailed Roller.

Kruger National Park - South

Website
Satellite View
Gomondwane Bush, mixed combretum and well wooded kloofs dominates the southern part of the Park. African Finfoot, African Green-pigeon, Harlequin Quail, Stierling's Wren Warbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Gorgeous Bush-shrike and Mocking Chat are birds all likely to be seen.

Lake Chrissie

Satellite View
Lake Chrissie is the largest of a complex of shallow Highveld pans in South Africa's unofficial Lake District. Most of the 320 pans are on private land, but many can be viewed from public roads. The area supports large numbers of both Lesser and Greater Flamingos, and is an important refuge for the remaining population of Wattled Crane in Mpumalanga. Other specials include Grey Crowned Crane, African Marsh Harrier, Chestnut-banded Plover, Grass Owl, Barrow's Korhaan, Amur (Eastern Red-footed) Falcon, Black-winged Pratincole and Cape Eagle Owl.

Mount Sheba Nature Reserve

Information
Satellite View
This small reserve has some of the best accessible Afromontane forest left in Mpumalanga. Mount Sheba Hotel is situated in the Escarpment hills above the historic gold-mining village of Pilgrim's Rest, on a grassy knoll surrounded by forest. A well-laid network of trails cover much of the forest and grassland on the upper hill slopes. Some Southern African endemics to be found in the forest include Knysna Touraco, Chorister Robin-Chat, Cape Batis, Olive Bush Shrike, Southern Double-collared Sunbird and Forest Canary. Grasslands and rocky outcrops have endemics like Grassbird, Drakensberg Prinia, Gurney's Sugarbird (around flowering protea bushes); Cape Rock Thrush and Buff-streaked Chat.

Nelspruit

Satellite View
Nelspruit is the largest town in Mpumalanga and the capital of the province. Lush, wooded gardens, granite outcrops and riverine forest along the Crocodile River flowing through the town makes for good birding opportunities. The total list for the municipal area is in the region of 275 species and the Lowveld National Botanical Gardens and Nelspruit Nature Reserve make birding easy for visitors to the town. Accommodation is varied and a recent publication titled Birds of Nelspruit provides a comprehensive list and suggestions for birding walks within the town. The booklet is available from BirdLife Lowveld. Special birds include Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Purple-crested Touraco, Heuglin's and African White-throated Robin-Chats, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Finfoot, Golden Weaver, Red-faced Cisticola, Green Twinspot and Red-backed Mannikin.

Saddleback Pass

Montane grassland with Protea stands dominate the open patches of this montane forest almost taken over in total by exotic pine plantations. Gurney's Sugarbird, Swee Waxbill, Orange Ground-Thrush, Roufus-Chested Sparrow-hawk, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, White-Starred Robin, Olive Sunbird and Forest Canary occurs on this Pass.

Songimvelo Game Reserve

Information
Satellite View
This 56,000 ha reserve is controlled by Mpumalanga Parks Board. It is situated along the eastern Drakensberg escarpment, between the towns of Barberton and Badplaas. There is considerable variation in altitude, ranging between 696 to 1851 metres above sea level. The Komati and Lomati Rivers are the two major rivers bisecting the reserve and there is considerable habitat variation. Komati River Lodge in picturesque mountainous terrain is the only accommodation within the reserve. It is a tented lodge situated on the south-western side of the reserve alongside the fast-flowing Komati River. Birding from the network of rough gravel roads has the added attraction of the presence of big game animals such as White Rhinoceros and Buffalo and many species of antelope. Birds include specials such as African Finfoot, Broad-tailed Warbler, Barrow's Korhaan, Red-billed Oxpecker, African Black Duck, Martial Eagle, Red-throated Wryneck, Brown-Backed Honeybird, Croaking Cisticola, and Half-collared Kingfisher in the area where the lodge is situated. At higher altitude there are forest birds such as Knysna Touraco, Chorister Robin-Chat, White-Starred Robin, and Orange Ground Thrush.

Wakkerstroom

Information
Satellite View
This district of montane grasslands, high-altitude marshes and moist forests is one of South Africa's major birding hotspots. A good network of quiet farm roads traverses the entire area and the village of Wakkerstroom has a variety of affordable accommodation. Major target birds in this area are range-restricted grassland endemics, many of which are highly threatened. These include Rudd's and Botha's Larks, Southern Bald Ibis, Grey-winged Francolin, Blue Crane, Blue and Barrow's Korhaans, Ground Woodpecker, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Yellow-breasted and African Rock Pipits, Buff-streaked Chat and many more out of a total of 360 species recorded in the district. Narrow forested gorges and sheltered slopes harbour a few endemic forest birds, most notably Bush Blackcap, Barratt's Warbler and Chorister Robin-Chat. High-altitude marshes support a representation of Highveld waterbirds, but also have small populations of two endangered species, Wattled Crane and White-winged Flufftail.

2002 [December] - Stig Linander - Pretoria, Pilanesberg National Park, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon

Report

With more than 900 species of birds recorded (about 1/10th of all species in the world); South Africa is a birders paradise...

2008 [April] - Naturetrek Bargain Birds; Eastern Escarpment & Kruger National Park

Report

Once again this itinerary proved to be very rewarding. The habitat diversity covered was incredible, from the cool plateau near Dullstroom at over 2000 metres above sea level to the hot plains around Satara which are only a few hundred meters above sea level. The bird life seen and experienced was just amazing, as was the array of large mammals. All together we had nearly 700 recorded bird sightings of the 287 different species seen, and enjoyed nearly 100 mammal sightings of the 36 recorded species, not to mention sightings of reptiles such as Leopard Tortoise, Nile Monitor, Nile Crocodile, Dwarf Gecko, Tree Agama and various terrapin species, as well as various flowers and butterflies. Considering the time of the year, and the fact that only one vehicle was involved, the large total of the species seen was as a direct result of a lot of time spent out in the field. Thanks to all the participants, and well done for keeping up the pace without complaint!

2008 [February] - Chris Lotz - Birding Ecotours

Report

15-day Kruger to Kalahari Birding Safari - Pre-breakfast birding on the lodge grounds generated a host of birds, many of them spectacular – things like Crimson-breasted Shrike, Crested Barbet, three hornbill species, two francolins, two mousebirds, Grey Go-away Bird, three lapwing species, Marico Flycatcher, Jacobin Cuckoo, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Marico Sunbird...

2008 [March] - Chris Lotz - Birding Ecotours

Report

...We set out early morning to see what was to be seen along the West Coast – hopefully many good birds. The weather was looking fine and it promised to be a great day. First on the list was the usual “city birds” Hartlaub's Gull, Kelp Gull, Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Common Starling, etc...

2008 [March] - Lawson's Birding - Kruger National Park

Report

Arriving at Oliver Tambo Airport, the team said goodbye to the guides, Leon and Nic, who had been outstanding in their knowledge of good birding sites, birds and their calls, but also for their organization in making the trip run so smoothly. Lawson’s Birding and Wildlife Tours can be thoroughly recommended to other members of Army Ornithological Society considering travelling to South Africa, is info@lawsons.co.za. Ian and I then caught the SAA plane to Harare to see our family and the rest of the team returned to the UK, arriving at Gatwick on the morning of the 13th March, after a thoroughly successful expedition, with over 270 species seen.

2010 [July] - Lawson's Birding – Escarpment, Kruger National Park & Nelspruit

Report

With a full day in the Satara region we left camp at 06h00 after a cup of coffee and some famous Lawson’s rusks for a morning of birding and game viewing. We headed north out of camp and then turned east along the S90 into the arid Mavumbye Plains region, which is usually great for a few key species such as Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark and others. We missed the Kori Bustard but did see the other two as well as Spur-winged Goose, African Hawk-Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Red-crested Korhaan, Crowned Lapwing, Namaqua Dove, Mosque Swallow, Black-crowned Tchagra, Red-billed Oxpecker, Cut-throat Finch and many others. Mammals included Chacma Baboon, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Impala, Kudu, Steenbok, Common Waterbuck, Warthog, Blue Wildebeest and Burchell’s Zebra. We headed back to camp along the S100 and arrived for a late breakfast (with a spectacular Green Wood-hoopoe foraging on the breakfast tables) before having a birding walk in the camp grounds…

2010 [November] - Lawson's Birding – Escarpment & Kruger National Park

Report

With an early morning departure we headed out of town and onto a dirt road that would take us up to the Veloren Valei (Lost Valley) Nature Reserve, a RAMSAR site high up in the Steenkampsberg Range. Turning off the main road we took our time, birding on the way up, though the mammals stole the day with a good sighting of a Caracal, spotted sitting under some trees by Cheryl, and after our coffee break a wonderful encounter with four small Black-backed Jackal pups playing in the morning sunshine outside their den. Bird sightings included Red-winged Francolin, Yellow-billed Duck, Jackal Buzzard (one of only a few endemic raptors), African Wattled Lapwing, Eastern Long-billed Lark, Greater Striped Swallow, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Mountain Wheatear, Wing-snapping and Levaillant’s Cisticolas, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Pied Starling, Malachite Sunbird, Yellow Bishop, Cape Canary and Golden-breasted Bunting. All in all it was a fantastic morning and with rumbling stomachs we headed back to town, where we had breakfast at Harry’s Pancakes…

Wakkerstroom

Report

...We were down at the wetland before dawn on Saturday Morning listening to the sounds in the early morning mist - always a very evocative experience for me. It was too misty to see much but we heard Grey Crowned Cranes starting up their day along with very vocal African Rails and the ubiquitous African Reed Warblers and Le Vaillant`s Cisticolas. Waterbirds have dispersed widely here as a result of the excessive rains and other waterfowl were essentially limited to Yellow-billed Ducks. A Red-chested Flufftail obligingly called deep in the reed beds at around a quarter to six, but no White-winged Flufftails unfortunately. Other birds included White-throated Swallows, South African Cliff Swallows and Greater Striped Swallows - all new species for Bob and Shane...