Kwazulu Natal Bird Watching Adventure
ITINERARY
| Starting point: |
Johannesburg/Durban |
| End point: |
Durban/Johannesburg |
| Duration: |
8 Days |
| Costing: |
|
Tour Description
Well over 650 species have been recorded in the small province of KwaZulu-Natal, a product of its habitat diversity and its coastal position on the beautiful eastern seaboard of South Africa. From mangrove-fringed estuaries to the peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, from the cool mist belt forests to the bird-rich savannah of Zululand, KZN offers some of the best birding on the African continent. Of particular interest to the international birder are the more than 50 species endemic to the Southern African Sub region, a handful of which are only found here and in adjacent Mozambique
KZN`s broad vegetation types of forest, savannah and grassland may be further subdivided into: Subtropical, broad-leaved forest, Afro-montane forest (mist belt forest), Savannah woodland, or bushveld, Afro-Alpine grasslands, Wetlands and Creighton Valley.
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 1-3: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Day 4: Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
Day 5: Lake Sibaya
Day 6-7: Mkhuze Game Reserve
Day 8: Return to Durban/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.
Day 1-3: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a proclaimed World Heritage Site, is the most important conservation area in the province and supports the highest concentrations of breeding water birds in South Africa. The Eastern Shores section is the most accessible site in the country for coastal forest specials.
Here, the world`s tallest forested sand dunes support populations of
Buff-spotted Fluff tail, Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, as well as African Crowned Eagle, Livingstone`s Turaco, Green Malkoha, Spotted Ground-Thrush (winter only); Brown Scrub-Robin, Rudd`s Apalis, Woodward’s` Batis and Green Twin spot. The seasonally flooded wetlands are home to African Pygmy-Goose, White-backed Duck, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Red-chested Fluff tail, Lesser Jacana, Swamp Nightjar, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Short-tailed Pipit (winter only) and Rosy-throated Long claw. Forests on the western shores of the lake hold additional specials, notably African Broadbill, Neergaard`s Sunbird and Pink-throated Twin spot. Water birds can be seasonally abundant, and Pink-backed Pelican, Greater Flamingo (up to 30 000); African Spoonbill, African Fish Eagle (at very high densities) and a variety of herons, egrets, storks, ducks and terns can be found whilst exploring the lake, preferably by boat. African Finfoot, Pel`s Fishing Owl, Mangrove Kingfisher (winter only) and Black-throated Wattle-eye can be found in the mangroves and forests fringing the lake.
Other sites with productive coastal forest and mangroves are Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay and Umlalazi Nature Reserve.
Day 4: Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
The oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa which became famous for successfully saved the White Rhino from extinction. The reserve hosts the Big Five and several other interesting antelope species. Birds are plentiful and not difficult to see. Birds of note include Bearded Woodpecker, Redbilled Oxpecker, Red throated Wryneck, Bateleur, Ground Hornbill, Rudd`s Apalis and White-browed Robin-chat. White-browed Robin-chat and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill.
Day 5: Lake Sibaya
The largest freshwater lake in South Africa, situated on the eastern side of the forest covered dunes which separates the lake from the Indian Ocean. Birds of interest include African Yellow White-eye, Yellow-throated Long claw, Pink-throated Twin spot, Red-capped Robin-chat, Brown Scrub-robin, Terrestrial Brownbul, Narina Trogon, Goliath Heron and Woodward`s Batis.
Day 6-7: Mkhuze Game Reserve
The Holy Grail of Southern African birders, Mkhuze Game Reserve boast a bird list of over 450 species and are the top site for a host of highly sought-after Zululand specials. The best birding areas in the park are the subtropical Nsumo Pan, the Fig Forest along the Mkhuze River and the sand forest. The unique Tonga land Sand Forest around the hides of Kubube and Kumasinga, close to the park`s main camp, is excellent for Crested Guineafowl, African Broadbill, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, (Eastern) Bearded Scrub-Robin and three of the reserve`s near-endemics: Rudd’s Apalis, Neergaard`s Sunbird, and the beautiful Pink-throated Twin spot, all of which are common here.
The Fever Tree-lined Nsumo Pan attracts a wide variety of water birds, notably African Fish-Eagle, Great White and Pink-backed pelicans, Yellow-billed, Open-billed and Woolly-necked storks, and Goliath Heron, whilst the surrounding thorn thickets are home to the near-endemic White-throated Robin-Chat and Pink-throated Twin spot.
Mkhuze Game Reserve A guided walk through the Fig Forest along the Mkhuze River should reward the birder with White-eared Barbet, Scaly-throated Honey guide, Trumpeter Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Purple-crested Turaco, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, and Grey Tit-Flycatcher. With effort and a bit of luck, Green Malkoha, Pel`s Fishing Owl, Buff-spotted Fluff tail, the scarce Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, Black-throated Wattle-eye and Green Twin spot may be added. More open Acacia savannah bushveld in the reserve supports many widespread woodland birds typical of much of Eastern Africa, notably Bearded Woodpecker, Black-bellied Bustard, White-headed and Lappet-faced vultures, Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, Martial Eagle, Grey-headed Bush-Shrike, Flapped and Sabota larks, as well as the localised Bushveld Pipit.
The tiny Ndumu Game Reserve, a gem of a park 100km to the north on KZN`s border with Mozambique, shares Mkhuze`s forest specials, whilst a similar suite of bushveld birds may be found in the well-known Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, Ithala Game Reserve and Weenen Game Reserve to the west. The latter two reserves, located at medium altitudes, also offer the opportunity of finding the endemic Barrow`s Korhaan.
Day 8: Return to Johannesburg/Durban
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.
|
