Kwazulu Natal Bird Watching Adventure
ITINERARY
| Starting point: |
Johannesburg/Durban |
| End point: |
Durban/Johannesburg |
| Duration: |
9 Days |
| Costing: |
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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: Amatikulu Reserve
Day 2: Dhlinza Forest
Day 3: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Day 4: Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
Day 5: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Day 6: Lake Sibaya
Day 7-8: Mkhuze Game Reserve
Day 9: 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: Amatikulu
Our first stop is Amatikulu Reserve - our best chance for coastal grassland birds. We then head up to Dhlinza Forest
This small Reserve is situated at the confluence of the Amatikulu and Nyoni rivers - the latter running parallel to the coast for about 8kms before entering the lagoon. The Reserve, which served as a leper colony until the 1970's, occupies a narrow strip along the coast reaching a maximum width of 3kms and a length of about 17kms. Despite its size, the Reserve contains many different habitats and has an impressive checklist of over 300 birds - including 25 species of raptor.
The Reserve is stocked with some game including giraffe, kudu, zebra, impala, waterbuck and bushbuck.
Humpback whales are often seen between September and November from the observation tower built on one of the high dunes overlooking a magnificent stretch of unspoilt coastline.
Recently the Reserve was used as a film location for the Russian version of the popular reality TV show Survivor.
Our first stop is Amatikulu Reserve - our best chance for coastal grassland birds. We then head up to Dhlinza Forest.
Top Birds - Spotted Ground Thrush, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, White-eared Barbet, Green Twinspot and Swamp Nightjar
Day 2: Dhlinza Forest
Of the many beautiful forests of Zululand, Dlinza - around which Eshowe has grown - is probably the most accessible and is currently visited by birdwatchers from all over the world hoping to catch a glimpse of a rare bird species such as the Spotted Ground Thrush or Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.
Early morning is the best time to visit when the forest echoes with the calls of Trumpeter Hornbills, Purple-crested Turacos and Narina Trogons.
As the day warms up the distinct chorus of the cicada beetles reverberates through the forest.
An alternative to walking the forest trails, is to walk (or drive) the Royal Drive, a gravel road through the centre of the forest where visitors can still have a good chance of glimpsing a secretive blue duiker or bushbuck.
Numerous tree markers along the trails provide interesting information along the trails and describe Zulu medicinal uses of the various trees.
Throughout the year, but especially in autumn, the butterflies are most impressive. As many as 70 species - including the Gaudy Commodore, Mocker Swallowtail and the Mother of Pearl - have been recorded in the 250-hectare forest.
Dhlinza Aerial Boardwalk
The boardwalk - the first in South Africa - is a 125m-walkway which takes visitors from the forest under storey into its leafy canopy giving a close glimpse of life high above the forest floor - birds nesting and feeding, epiphytic orchids flowering in dappled light and giant trees competing for light and space.
At the end of the walkway, visitors can climb the 20m-high viewing tower which emerges above the canopy of the trees and has magnificent views over the forest and of the countryside leading down to the coast.
Top Birds - Grey Cuckooshrike, Olive Woodpecker, Chorister Robin-Chat, Olive Bush shrike and Green Malkoha
Day 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: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Explore the wetland. We visit the Crocodile farm, were you can view snakes do some bird watching visit the cycad gardens and museum. Visit the local craft markets and curio shops and do some shopping in the village. Or hop aboard a river cruise and go bird, hippo and croc hunting. The only shooting allowed is of the photographic variety.
Take long walks on the beach, do some hiking, bird watching and watch whales from the whale watching tower.
Day 6: 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 7-8: 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 9: 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.
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