Kruger National Park Bird Watching Adventure
ITINERARY
| Starting point: |
Johannesburg/Pretoria |
| End point: |
Pretoria/Johannesburg |
| Duration: |
8 Days |
| Costing: |
|
Tour Description
The Kruger National Park is among Mpumalanga’s biggest assets, a vast expanse of sun-drenched bushveld and home to the Big Five. It is one of Africa’s best known safari areas and, apart from its impressive mammal diversity, boasts a bird list in excess of 500 species, some of which are not to be found elsewhere in South Africa. Hornbills, Starlings, Vultures, Rollers, Bee-eaters and Shrikes typify the ubiquitous avi-fauna and birders can look forward to pursuing the big 6 (Saddle-billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pel's Fishing-Owl and Ground Hornbill).
Birding on foot is allowed only in the rest camps and at certain designated spots, most of Kruger has to be birded from the confines of the vehicle. It’s a highly rewarding activity year-round, although birds are most vocal during the wet summer months (November to March), when the migrants are also present. Winter months have the advantage of superb weather, better game-viewing opportunities and a lower malaria risk. The Kruger provides access to an exceptional tourist infrastructure, with numerous bird hides, night drives, day walks, walking safaris, shops and restaurants, plus a wide range of accommodation.
The Park's numerous water points make for excellent birding, while the camps and picnic sites are exceptionally rewarding for birders.
Tour summery
Note that although we endeavour to abide by the primary itinerary indicated below, unexpected situations and circumstances beyond our control can result in small (or, occasionally, substantial) changes. This should then be taken as a general guideline.
Day 0: Arrival Day
Day 1: Graskop
Day 2: Letaba
Day 3: Elephant Lodge
Day 4: Skukuza
Day 5: Crocodile Bridge
Day 6: Berg en Dal
Day 7: Pretoriuskop
Day 8: Return to Pretoria/Johannesburg
Tour costing
Kindly refer to the section of this proposal after the detailed tour itinerary for some comments and explanations, as well as details about what is included and excluded.
A deposit of 50% would be required in advance to secure the various bookings en route. We would suggest this be done on confirmation of your booking.
Payments made in foreign currency will be subject to the effective rate of exchange prevailing at the time of transfer.
We supply a copy of our detailed “Terms and Condition” should you indicate your interest in this proposal.
Day 0: Arrival Day
Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. Flight arrival times to be confirmed in advance. We will meet you the airport, and transfer you to our guesthouse for check in. You may spend the rest of the day at leisure, catch up on some shopping or sleep.
We have a quick tour briefing.
Overnight in Pretoria
Day 1: Pilgrims Rest and Panorama Route
Departing early after breakfast, we head towards the Eastern Escarpment of South Africa, via Lydenburg, and lunching at Pilgrims Rest en route. (Lunch at own cost).
Overnight in Graskop or Sabie
Day 2: Letaba
We head out towards the Kruger National Park and enter the park through the Phalaborwa gate. We continue our journey to Letaba via Old Shawa pinic spot, where we can stop and stretch our legs and take some photos.
Letaba Camp has a rich bird population and is particularly good for viewing owls. Pearl-spotted and African Barred Owlet and African Scops-Owl are all resident in camp and should be heard come nightfall, while Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle Owl is regularly recorded along the river itself. Scan all large Riverine trees carefully. Green-capped Eremomela should be looked for in the camp and like most camps in the central and northern parts of the park Mourning Dove is particularly prominent. The camp's Red-headed Weavers are unusually bold (they nest adjacent the petrol station and in front of the restaurant. The riverbed usually hosts a wide range of herons, storks and waders. Look carefully for Greater Painted Snipe.
The Matambeni Bird Hide on the northern bank of Engelhard Dam is a good place to watch water birds. On the south bank of the dam, near the dam wall Collared (Red winged) Pratincoles appear annually and can sometimes be seen from the rest camp.
The Masorini Ruins close to the Phalaborwa Gate is a good venue to view Yellow-throated Petronia (Sparrow), Mocking Cliff-Chat and Red-headed Weaver. The nearby Sable Dam has a hide and is a good spot to view waders.
Day 3: Olifants
After breakfast we continue south along the Letaba River to Olifants rest camp.
Two birds to look out for on the Olifants River are White-fronted Plover and White-crowned Lapwing (Plover), both of which can be seen in the riverbed. The bridges on the main tarred road and at Balule are the places to look for these species. Search the Riparian trees on the Olifants River near Balule for the Pel's Fishing-Owl. It is occasionally seen on night drives from the low level bridge here, while it has also been seen infrequently from the high level bridge on the main tar road. This low level bridge adjacent Balule is an extremely productive venue. During the day one will get close encounters with several stork, heron and kingfisher species while the lure of the Fishing Owl by night is a big incentive. It is usually seen on the same sand-bank adjacent the same river pool. Only a few metres away, a White-backed night heron are sometimes seen. Then, at dusk in November 2002 a Black Egret (very rare in the park) was watched fromonly 5m away as it employed its definitive umbrella-wing fishing technique.
Camp bird-life in Olifants, like all camps is busy. Red-winged Starlings are particularly prominent. Trumpeter Hornbills and Acacia Pied Barbet are regularly seen in camp, and when the many aloe plants in camp are in flower, they act as a magnet for sunbirds. Rufous-bellied Heron has been recorded on the Olifants River a little downstream of the camp.
Day 4: Skukuza
We depart from Olifants to Skukuza. We travel along the Timbavati River and visit Groblers Plaque and Timbavati. Excellent bird watching opportunities.
Although Skukuza is a large and busy camp, the camp hosts an excellent avi-fauna. Scanning the Sabie River from in front of the restaurant can produce Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher. In summer this venue is a hub of activity with a massive nesting colony of Lesser Masked and Village (Spotted-backed) Weavers. Green Pigeons are abundant in the Riverine fig trees. In taking a walk along the river's bank there is a strong chance of encountering Red-faced Cisticola and Spectacled Weaver and, in early the morning, Little Sparrow hawk. The river walk and a stroll around the rest of the camp could yield Collared Sunbird, Red-backed and Bronze Mannikin, Purple-crested Turaco (Lourie) and three bush shrikes (Orange-breasted, Grey-headed and Gorgeous) may well be heard or even seen. White-browed (Heuglin's) Robin-chat is another species constantly heard but more difficult to see. Up to seven species of flycatcher may also be found (Paradise, Black, Dusky, Spotted, Grey Tit- (Fantailed), Ashy (Bluegrey) and Pale (Pallid)).
Watching the sky above the river at dusk may reveal Bat-hawk or Eurasian Hobby. When night falls a spot-light lights up a fig tree outside the restaurant. Woodland Kingfishers use this ‘extended daylight' to hunt insects attracted to the glow.
The nearby bird hide at Lake Panic is a good spot to go to observe kingfishers, herons and Wire-tailed Swallows at close quarters. Black-winged Stilts are often in attendance.
Day 5: Crocodile Bridge
We travel along the Sabie River towards Crocodile Bridge. Stop at Duke watering hole.
A special to be looked for in this area is the Pink-throated Twin spot. Black bellied Starlings have also been recorded in this region. It is also perhaps the only reliable place in the park to see Yellow-rumped Tinker bird (Golden-rumped Tinker Barbet) and it is relatively easy to locate in the camp by its monotonous call. The rest camp itself has a busy stream of bird activity (Look for White-crowned Shrike, Bronze Mannikin, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike and Black-backed Puff back), while the short drive down to the river causeway is always good for water birds.
Day 6: Berg-en-Dal
The next morning we depart for Berg en Dal. On the way we stop at watering holes, Mpondo dam view site, and Buffeldoring dam, Muhlamadvude and Outspan Plaque.
The camp is an excellent venue to see Grey Tit-flycatcher (Fan-tailed Flycatcher), White-browed (Heuglin's) and White-throated Robin-chats. Scarlet-chested Sunbird is particularly prominent. The adjacent Matjulu Dam attracts a constant supply of water birds and African Fish Eagle is usually present and viewed at close quarters. The surrounding hills host a wealth of species and are a good place to search for Pennant-winged Nightjar (in summer and at dusk) and Croaking Cisticola. Orange-winged (Golden-backed) Pytilia were recorded by several people in the camp during the 2004 winter.
Day 7: Pretoriuskop
We depart for Pretoriuskop. Stop at Jock of the Bushveld Plaque, Komapiti dam, Jock of the Bushveld birth place, Manungu’s kraal view site and Pretorius view site.
In the camp itself look for African Green Pigeon, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Retz's Helmet-shrike, Green-capped Eremomela, Brown-headed Parrot, Cutthroat Finch, Redheaded Weaver and several sunbird species. Black Cuckoo (summer) and Gorgeous Bush Shrike can be heard calling from the dense bush surrounding the camp. The Pretoriuskop region is one of the best areas in the Park to see Pennant-winged Nightjar, Black-bellied Bustard (Korhaan) and Red-collared Widow.
Day 8: Return to Johannesburg
Return to Johannesburg (OR Tambo Airport) and bid each other farewell or you can extend your South African holiday adventure by joining us on any of our other great packages.
Tour costing – Some comments and details
The tour prices indicated below include the following:
- All accommodation, meals, teas, coffees and soft drinks
- All activities specifically indicated in the itinerary (unless specified “optional” or “own cost”)
- The provision of suitable 4X4 vehicles for the duration of the trip, with appropriately licensed and experienced driver/guides
- Local specialist guides, as required
- Insurance and Emergency evacuation cover (we also insist that guests carry their own comprehensive Travel Insurances)
- Entrance to all National Parks en route
- Cross border charges as required
The following items are not included in the price of this safari package:
- Visas charges for the various countries
- Alcoholic beverages en route and most establishments
- Items of a personal nature
- Curios, etc
- Activities and items not included in the detailed itinerary
Kindly note the following aspects:
- Accommodation and activities are subjected to availability at the time of booking, and, in some cases, depending on other conditions prevailing on arrival.
- It may not always be possible to use the proposed establishment, and in some cases an alternative must be found.
- Early bookings help prevent variations of this nature
- Lunches provide en route are normally of the picnic variety, due to the unavailability or unsuitable of places to stop along the route.
