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geographical locations, designed to maximise the variety of species, with emphasis given to high quality, responsible birding experience. Each birding safari will be guided by zoologist Gerrie Camacho and with contributions from other eminent ornithologists. Birding safaris include time spent at the Paperbark Bush Retreat, Blyde River Canyon, Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands. Paperbark Bush Retreat Within the Paperbark Bush Retreat conservancy, opportunities for birding abound. This large private estate encompasses a unique mixture of habitat types from mountains through woodlands bush veld, rivers and streams.
main lawn each day, together with a wide variety of king fishers, owl and raptors. Birding records from whisper net capture and banded release have been maintained for twenty years with over 250 species. Guided birding bush walks commence each morning and afternoon. Hides within the forest and river areas provide excellent bird viewing opportunities.
The greater Kruger National Park provides a unique combination of wilderness areas, varied habitats, together with a wide variety and concentration of bird species and big game animals. The wide range of habitats is responsible for a bird list of over 500 species, while the productivity of these habitats is such that many species occur in abundance. The Park is especially good for large raptors which are rare outside of extensive conservation areas, while many other scarce and migrant species are attracted to its unspoilt wilderness. Bushveld and Woodland birds are found throughout the park in any habitat that has bush and trees. Within Sabi Sands you will have the opportunity to take guided bush walks in big five country.
We tailor each birding safari to suit your requirements, normally within our existing pricing structure. As a guide, our birding safaris follow a similar route and pricing to that of the wildlife safaris, and although the emphasis is for birding rather than game viewing, opportunities for both will occur. Birding safaris follow our core beliefs in that we provide a high quality experience in the company of renowned ornithologists, with opportunities to become involved in birding related conservation projects should you wish. Example of bird lists Paperbark Bush Retreat - Species of note include, Kingfisher (pigmy, wood and greater), Owl (spotted eagle, barn and wood), Purple Crested Lourie, Cape Vultures, Forest Lourie, Shrike, Narina Trogen, Hoopoe, Bearded Woodpecker, White Helmeted Shrike, Sunbirds, Bee-eaters, Weavers, Eagles (snake, black, crown), Barbets, Night Jar. Kruger and Sabi Sands - particularly rich in Cuckoos(9 species), Rollers(5 species), Hornbills(6 species), and Kingfishers(9 species). Interesting species include Grey-headed Parrot, African Cuckoo, Thick-billed Cuckoo, and Great Spotted Cuckoo, Grey-headed Kingfisher and Woodland Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Blue-cheeked Bee- eater, Broad-billed Roller and Racket-tailed Roller, Southern Ground-Hornbill and Trumpeter Hornbill, Bennett's Woodpecker and Bearded Woodpecker, Red-breasted Swallow and Mosque Swallow, Black Cuckooshrike and White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Eurasian Golden Oriole, White-throated Robin-Chat and Bearded Scrub-Robin, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Grey-headed Bush-Shrike, Meves's Starling, Greater Blue-eared Starling and Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Red-billed Oxpecker, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-headed Weaver, Green-winged Pytilia, Violet-eared Waxbill and Lemon-breasted Canary. Almost all buffalo herds in the northern half of the park are attended by Yellow-billed Oxpecker. Grassland Species also occur throughout, but more predominantly in the savannas around Satara. Good birds to see are Coqui Francolin and Shelley's Francolin, Harlequin Quail, Kurrichane Buttonquail, and after good rains Corn Crake, Flappet Lark, Monotonous Lark, Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, Black Coucal, Black-bellied Bustard, Red-crested Korhaan, Kori Bustard, Montagu's Harrier and Pallid Harrier. During drought years, influxes of species favouring the drier western parts of the country sometimes occur. These include Red-headed Finch, Lark-like Bunting, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver and Marico Flycatcher. Raptors are generally widespread in the park and occur over all habitats in search of prey. Red-billed Quelea breeding colonies attract many species including Lesser Spotted Eagle and Steppe Eagle. Flocks of Kestrels congregate for insects after good rains. The tall trees found along rivers also provide roosting and breeding sites for Vultures and other large Raptors. Vultures include White-backed Vulture, Cape Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Hooded Vulture and White-headed Vulture. Large Raptors encountered throughout the year are Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Verreauxs' Eagle, Tawny Eagle, African Fish-Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, Bateleur and Dark Chanting Goshawk, Steppe Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Smaller species include African Cuckoo Hawk, Bat Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, African Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Lanner Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Dickinson's Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel and Amur Falcon. Rare visitors include Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Sooty Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, European Honey- Buzzard and Osprey. |
