Maputaland Bird Watching Safari
ITINERARY
| Starting point: |
Johannesburg/Durban |
| End point: |
Durban/Johannesburg |
| Duration: |
13 Days |
| Costing: |
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Tour Description
Maputaland, a fascinating area with some of Africa’s older cultural practices, such as the traditional fish drives and traps of the Thonga people, lies in the north-eastern section of Kwazulu-Natal. It is bordered in the north by Mozambique, in the west it is bound by the Lebombo Mountains, to the east lies the Indian Ocean and, in the south; it ends at Lake St Lucia’s estuary. Maputaland lies at the point of transition between subtropical and tropical zones, making it home to an extraordinary profusion of indigenous plants and animals not found in many other parts of the country.
Well over 650 species of birds 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.
The vehicles we use are specifically chosen to be suitable for the area. Some of the areas we travel comprise very thick sand, other is clay surfaces, and still others can comprise a hard surface overlaying a pool of treacherous mud. All of these surfaces can change rapidly under varying conditions. In addition to close-up encounters with wildlife, our adventures also provide a diverse an in-dept encounter with many of the folk who contribute to the land we travel in, to really appreciate the beauty of Africa in all its facets.
This is designed as an adventure trip, and the unexpected can be expected. Be prepared.
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 (Johannesburg/Durban)
Day 1-2: Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
Day 3-5: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Day 6-7: Kosi Bay Mouth
Day 8-9: Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumu Game Reserve
Day 10-12: Mkhuze Game Reserve
Day 13: 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.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival day
Arriving in Johannesburg or Durban, you will be greeted by an Izimbaleko Africa guide. Flights arrival times to be confirmed I advance. You will be transfer 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 before bedding down for the night.
Overnight in Pretoria or Durban.
Day 1-2: Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
After we arrive at our destination, we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the splendour of the park on an afternoon game drive. Early the next, morning wake-up calls drag us out of bed to heed the call of nature, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park awaits Game drives at daybreak start our day.
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 3-5: Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
We enjoy a relaxing breakfast, we before travelling towards the 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.
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 6-7: Kosi bay
Depart after an early breakfast for Kosi Bay. Travel the coastal forest 4X4 route. This section of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park includes the pristine beaches of Mabibi, Island Rock Bay, Black Rock and Lake Sibaya which is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa. Its crystal clear water is home to the second largest population of crocodiles and hippos in the Maputaland area.
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. Kosi bay is a proclaimed world heritage site on the Indian Ocean. It is a coastal forest offering a 40 km of unspoiled, undeveloped pristine coastline and adjoining the Maputaland marine reserve
Kosi Bay
The Kosi bay area has a series of four lakes that makes it an exciting exploration destination. Miles and miles of pristine coastline are ideal for snorkelling or scuba diving.
The reefs harbouring surprisingly healthy and diverse coral communities and marine life that is of the best in the world with large pinnacles, ledges, drop-offs and swim troughs.
Swim in the Bluest Ocean or sunbath on a golden beach almost totally alone and the possibility is good to see a Dolphin playing in the surf or spot a Wale off shore. At surtine times of the year Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles can be seen where they come to the nesting sites to lay their eggs. While surf or fly fishing in the estuary and river mouth is among the best on the East coast. If that is not enough horse riding can be arrange on an abandoned beach for the ride of your life. A trip on the lake system is truly a memorable experience where Hippo and Crocodile makes a regular appearance.
Bird watching is good and a number of rare coastal species can be seen. So don’t forget to bring your binoculars, camera and plenty of film. Nature walks through the coastal forest and grasslands or take a drive in a 4x4 vehicle through well stocked game parks will enthral naturalists and photographers.
Take some time and spend it with a local Zulu family and get to know their way of life.
Learn some of their culture, language as well as some of their dance moves.
The Mozambique border is just a stone throw away and offering a whole new set of adventure and day trips can be arrange to Ponta do Ouro.
Day 8-9: Tembe Elephant Park and Ndumu Game Reserve
Visit the Thembe Elephant Park for an exciting game drive. Do some shopping in Mangusi. Leave the afternoon for the Ndumu Game Reserve.
The name speaks of untamed Africa - where nature still holds sway and life beats to the ancient rhythms of a timeless continent. This is the Africa of Tembe Elephant Park, where the real Africa of the wild begins.
The park is situated in the sand forests of Maputaland, on the KwaZulu-Natal, South African boundary with Mozambique. Tembe is known and appreciated by only a select few visitors. Restricted access to the park means that few people have the opportunity to experience the majesty of Tembe's elephant population of 130 and the park's profuse diversity of flora and fauna. Birding in Tembe is a unique and enthralling experience. More than 340 species of birds have been recorded in this 30 000 hectare mosaic of woodland, sand forest and swamp. Avid birders can delight in adding some rare and endemic species to their bird lists! Species that have been seen in Tembe include the blue-throated sunbird, pinkthroated longclaw, pinkthroated twinspot, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Natal nightjar, Woodward’s Batis, Rudd’s apalis, Pel’s fishing owl, the palmnut vulture, Rufousbellied Heron, Southern Banded Snake Eagle - and the very rare Chestnutfronted Helmetshrike.
Imagine quietly watching a yellowthroated longclaw darting in and out of long grasses along the edge of thick reed swamp, where a herd of approximately 65 buffalo, some of them enormous bulls, seek refuge. Common sightings in the swamp area include, Burchell’s Coucals, European Bee-eaters, Bluecheeked Bee-eaters and European Rollers. There’s something really special about watching an elephant quietly drinking from one of the pans where hundreds of whitefaced geese flock to the water’s edge. Or marvelling at the colourful wings of a malachite kingfisher as it settles on a winding sand track with the knowledge that at any moment one of these enormous jumbos might appear around the next corner. More than 100 species of birds nest in and around the lodge. Each tent is located in a secluded area with its own bird bath, where species such as the Green and Pinkthroated Twinspot and crested Guinaefowl can be seen at close quarters.
Ndumu Game Reserve
We spend the day exploring the Ndumu Game Reserve.
A game reserve with sub-tropical forests, floodplains, sand forest open grasslands with one of the highest checklists in South Africa. African Wood-owl, Eastern Nicator, Pink-throated Twin spot, Neergaard`s Sunbird, African Broadbill, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Retz`s Helmet-Shrike and Brubru are only a few of the special birds to be seen in this reserve.
Depart the next day to Mkhuze Game Reserve.
Day 10-12: 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.
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 13: Return to Durban/Johannesburg
Return to Johannesburg or Durban 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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