Birding Safari in South Africa

Tour Leader: Mark Abdy
• As a veterinarian, Dr. Mark Abdy, cannot remember a time when he wasn’t passionate about animals.
•  While he currently works in Washington, DC and lives in rural Maryland with his wife & pets, he was born in Cape Town and grew up in Namibia & South Africa.  Mark has always had a self-described obsession with African wildlife.
• As a child, he spent many holidays in several of southern Africa’s national parks & game reserves, either hiking, camping or touring.
• Upon moving to the United States to attend college in 1980’s, it was 16 years before he got back to his much treasured Africa.
• In 2000 he returned as a tour group leader and since then has led an annual personalized tour comprised of small-sized groups.
• During this time he has visited the Etosha, Namib-Naukluft, Mosi-oa-Tunya, Chobe, Kruger, Greater St. Lucia Wetland, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Mapungubwe & Table Mountain National Parks, as well as the upscale private Sabi Sand and Timbavati Game Reserves.
• Even after all of these trips, participants on his tours will tell you that he still gets excited when he smells the bushveld air and that he is always happy to pass on his enthusiasm to the rest of the tour group. 

While Mark firmly believes in the saying, “Once you get Africa in your blood, it’s infectious and will draw you back time-and-time again”, he also recognizes that for many participants, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Knowing this, he goes out of his way to make sure trips are truly memorable and considers it an honor to be able to show off the treasures of the region to interested people.

Mark is an active member of the Washington County Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society and in April 2007, led a group of Washington County birders on a safari through South Africa. His experiences and interests, along with the expertise of Eyes on Africa, have designed this private tour to highlight some of South Africa’s best birding opportunities, all in great comfort.

Mark can be reached at mjabdy@yahoo.com or 301-432-7696. References from previous participants can be provided upon request.

Zenzele River Lodge

Upon arrival and after clearing customs, we will be met by our specialist birding guide.
Traveling in a luxury bus, we will set off for the magnificent Zenzele River Lodge, located about one hour’s drive north of Pretoria.

Zenzele River Lodge provides a classic bushveld atmosphere situated on a game farm, and offers a wonderful start to our birding adventure. Over 120 species of birds have been identified on the farm.  In addition, they have a number of species of wild game roaming the property.  After check in, use the time to refresh and relax on the property before sampling our first authentic African meal at the lodge.

Overnight: Zenzele River Lodge       http://www.zenzeleriverlodge.co.za/
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Bennett's Woodpecker (male)

This morning we will do some early morning birding on the Zenzele property before departing for the Rust de Winter Nature Reserve.

The Rust de Winter Nature Reserve surrounds the Rust de Winter Dam and offers good birding in both acacia and broad-leaved woodland habitats, as well as a diversity of water birds. Around 400 species have been recorded at Rust de Winter Nature Reserve.

Rust de Winter Specials:  African Pygmy-Goose, Goliath Heron, Squacco Heron, Black Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Green-backed Heron, Little Bittern, Comb Duck, White-backed Duck, Maccoa Duck, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Red-footed Falcon, Coqui Francolin, Shelley's Francolin, Red-crested Korhaan, Northern Black Korhaan, White-bellied Korhaan, Greater Painted-snipe, Water Thick-knee, African Cuckoo, Striped Kingfisher, Purple Roller, Bennett's Woodpecker, Flappet Lark, Sand Martin, Ashy Tit, Cape Penduline-Tit, Southern Pied Babbler, Barred Wren-Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Pale Flycatcher, Striped Pipit, Yellow-throated Petronia and Golden-breasted Bunting.

Overnight: Zenzele River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

African Pygmy-Goose (male)

Comb Duck (male) and Slaty Egret

After an early breakfast, we head north towards the town of Polokwane.

We’ll stop en route at the Nyl Floodplain, which is the largest inland floodplain in South Africa, reaching 39,000 acres.  Ten percent of this floodplain is formally conserved as Nylsvley Nature Reserve and it was listed as a RAMSAR site in July 1998.  In years with heavy rains, Nylsvley is one of the top birding spots in southern Africa, with at least 365 species recorded. 

Nylsvley Specials: Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Eurasian Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, Little Bittern, African Pygmy-Goose, Allen's Gallinule, Lesser Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, Striped Crake, Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Greater Painted-snipe, European Honey-Buzzard, Western Marsh-Harrier, Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Meyer's Parrot, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Black-winged Pratincole, Olive-tree Warbler, African Golden Oriole, Common Whitethroat and Tinkling Cisticola.

After leaving Nylsvley, we travel a short distance to the Moordrift Farm. This farm provides access to a large dam and permanent water that feeds the Nyl River floodplain.

Moordrift Farm Specials: Red-billed Teal, Spur-winged Goose, White-faced Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Knob-billed Duck, Maccoa Duck, and African Fish-eagle.

We continue north to Polokwane and check in to The Ranch Protea Hotel. The hotel is surrounded by grasslands and Limpopo bushveld and the rooms are set around the exquisite gardens, attracting a wide variety of birdlife (240 species have been recorded in the conservancy surrounding the hotel). 

Overnight: The Ranch       http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-the-ranch.html
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rufous-naped Lark

This morning we visit the Polokwane Nature Reserve. The Polokwane Nature Reserve is home to over 200 bird species and is widely regarded as the best place in southern Africa to see the endemic Short-clawed Lark.

Polokwane Nature Reserve Specials: Short-clawed Lark, Southern Black Tit, Ashy Tit, Acacia Pied Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, Marico Flycatcher, Coqui Francolin, Marico Sunbird, Barred Wren-Warbler, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Northern Black Korhaan, Secretarybird, Rufous-naped Lark, Ant-eating Chat, Desert Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola,  Burnt-necked Eremomela, Long-billed Crombec, Brubru, Red-backed Shrike, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Violet-eared Waxbill, Black-faced Waxbill, Verreauxs' Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Booted Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle, and Shikra.

Next we head to Magoebaskloof nestled in the northern Drakensberg mountains. The Magoebaskloof area is a picturesque region speckled with pristine Afromontane forest patches. These forests play host to a number of southern Africa's specials, and arguably offers the best forest birding in South Africa. It is certainly the best location to see the Black-fronted Bush-Shrike and Bat Hawk.

We check in at Kurisa Moya Lodge for the next two nights. The afternoon will include birding in the indigenous forest at Kurisa Moya.  During our stay at Kurisa Moya, their resident local bird guide will join us on our excursions.

Magoebaskloof Specials: Cape Parrot, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Orange Ground-Thrush, Buff-spotted Flufftail. African Olive-Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Lemon Dove, Black Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Narina Trogon, Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Green Twinspot, and Bat Hawk.

Overnight: Kurisa Moya       http://www.krm.co.za/index.htm
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Narina Trogon (male)

This morning is an early start as we head for the nearby Woodbush Forest to look for the Cape Parrot, Blackfronted Bush-shrike, Orange Ground Thrush, Grey Cuckoo-shrike and other forest specials and then head on to the Bat Hawk nesting site. 

Overnight: Kurisa Moya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Saddle-billed Stork (female)

This morning we drive southeast towards the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, arguably one of the top ten game reserves in Africa. En route, we’ll stop at the JG Strydom Tunnel – perhaps the most accessible site globally to see the extremely rare Taita Falcon. In addition, we should keep alert for Cape Vultures along this drive.

We continue on to the private Nkorho Bush Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve, arriving in time to enjoy an afternoon game drive in open 4x4 vehicles with our own ranger and tracker. We can anticipate close encounters with the wildlife, to hopefully include the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo). Of course, we will stop and view any good bird sighting.

Overnight: Nkorho Bush Lodge       http://www.nkorho.com/
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pin-tailed Whydah (male)

We join our ranger and tracker on an early morning open vehicle game drive. It is an especially good time to see the crepuscular animals, such as hyena and leopard. Coffee or tea will be served in the bush, before we return to camp for a full breakfast.

After breakfast we can relax and enjoy a siesta, go for a swim or bird on your own around camp.  An afternoon game drive follows, which continues into the night when spotlights are used to spot nocturnal game and birds. Return to the lodge for dinner under the African stars.

Overnight: Nkorho Bush Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Serenity Forest Eco Lodge

After our final morning game drive at Nkorho, we set off southwards towards the capital of Mpumalanga Province, Nelspruit

After lunch and checking in to Serenity Forest Eco Lodge, we’ll spend the late afternoon birding at Kaapsehoop.

While Kaapsehoop is an excellent place to view some of southern Africa’s endemics, our target species is the Blue Swallow. The Kaapsehoop area offers protection to between nine and twelve pairs of the globally threatened Blue Swallow and is designated as an Important Bird Area.

During our stay at Serenity Forest Lodge, we will have access to the expertise of their local bird guide.

Overnight: Serenity Forest Eco Lodge       http://www.serenitylodge.co.za/
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Birding at Ghost Mountain

Today we depart early for northern Zululand via The Kingdom of Swaziland.

Swaziland is well known for its excellent craft and curio markets. Depending on our available time, we will have the opportunity to stop at one of these markets before entering northern Zululand and continuing on to the Ghost Mountain Inn.

During our stay at the Ghost Mountain Inn, we will have access to the expertise of their local bird guide

Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn       http://www.ghostmountaininn.co.za/
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Broad-billed Roller

A full day outing takes us to the Mkhuze Game Reserve, where we will enjoy game and bird viewing.

Mkhuze constitutes the northwestern spur of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park World Heritage Site (see map). The reserve is definitely among the top ten birding spots in southern Africa and boasts a list of over 450 species, a wide range of habitats, and relatively easy access.

Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn       http://www.ghostmountaininn.co.za/
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Blue Cranes

After breakfast we depart for Wakkerstroom.

The Wakkerstroom area is famous among birders as the easiest area to find three highly endemic species restricted to South Africa’s high altitude grasslands - Rudd's Lark, Botha's Lark and Yellowbreasted Pipit.

A total of 13 bird species are endemic or nearly so to South Africa’s grassland biome and nine of these, including Rudd's Lark, Botha's Lark and Yellow-breasted Pipit, plus Bald Ibis, Blue Korhaan, Eastern Longbilled Lark, Sentinel Rockthrush, Buffstreaked Chat and Spotted Prinia can be found here.

Upon arrival, we’ll check in at Wakkerstroom Country Inn situated on the square in the heart of the village. The afternoon will be spent birding. A local bird guide will join us during our stay.

Overnight: Wakkerstroom Country Inn       http://www.countryinn.co.za/
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Birding at Wakkerstroom Vlei

Today will be set aside for a full day of birding in the Wakkerstroom area.  Enjoy truly excellent birding opportunities, where grasslands, wetlands and forest habitats offer an abundance of endemic species.

Overnight: Wakkerstroom Country Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we pack our bags and take a leisurely drive back to Johannesburg International Airport where we will check in for our international flight home by early afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

POST TRIP EXTENSIONS: Customized extensions to this itinerary, including Cape Town, South Africa (African Penguin and excellent pelagic birding), Botswana, Namibia, Zambia (Victoria Falls), Mozambique and/or other destinations may be arranged through Eyes on Africa as desired.  Ask us for further information.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Please be advised that participants need to be able to walk 2 miles at an easy pace to adequately enjoy this trip.

GROUP SIZE: 10 guests.