South Africa - Kruger (Birds)

The world-famous Kruger National Park sits in South Africa's north-eastern corner and is one of the largest national parks in the world, protecting over 19,500 square kilometres of grassland, acacia-dotted savannah and mixed woodland. This vast reserve, which extends over the border in Mozambique, is home to over 500 species of birds and almost 150 species of mammals — including African's iconic 'Big 5' (Elephant, White Rhinoceros, Lion, Leopard and African Buffalo). Kruger is the jewel in South Africa's national park crown and one of the finest wildlife havens on the continent.

We start with a flight to Johannesburg and a drive of around three hours to the small town of Dullstroom, which sits on the edge of montane grassland scattered with marshes and rocky ridges. Our time here gives us our only chance to see three herbivores that favour these upland habitats: Blesbok, Grey Rhebok and Mountain Reedbuck. The local birdlife is also quite different from the lowlands and includes Blue Crane, Gurney's Sugarbird, Denham's Bustard, Secretarybird and Sentinel Rock Thrush. We will also spend one night at the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, where we will look for Greater Double-collared Sunbird, White-throated Robin-chat, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Lazy Cisticola, Neddicky and more. In a nearby patch of montane forest live such avian gems as Chorister Robin-chat, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground Thrush and Narina Trogon.

Finally, we enter the gates of the fabulous Kruger National Park, where we switch to open-sided safari vehicles which offer excellent visibility for all. During our time here we will stay in the park's comfortable rest camps and enjoy two safaris each day, one from early to late morning and a second starting mid-afternoon. In addition, for a small extra charge, it is possible to join one of the national park's official night drives (private vehicles are not allowed out after dark) in search of Leopard, Honey Badger, African Civet, Small and Large Spotted Genets, African Wild Cat and various owls and nightjars. 

Kruger's birdlife is abundant, diverse and colourful. Among the species we hope to see are Helmeted Guineafowl, African Finfoot, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Purple-crested Turaco, White-fronted and Little Bee-eaters, the aptly named Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Martial Eagle, Lapped-faced Vulture, African Fish Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, Giant, Woodland and Grey-headed Kingfishers, Kori Bustard, Common Ostrich and many, many more. When the grasses begin seeding in late summer, the park teems with hundreds of thousands of Red-billed Queleas, interspersed with Wattled Starlings and White-winged Widowbirds. Insects abound at this time of the year (November to April) and an array of bee-eaters, rollers, shrikes, starlings and raptors join in the mêlée, making for some truly memorable birdwatching. The spotlighting tours offer a few extra birds to get excited about, such as Fiery-necked, Square-tailed and Freckled Nightjars, Spotted Eagle Owl and Bronze-winged Courser.

African Elephants are a common sight throughout Kruger, and we should see them every day. We will also be looking out for White Rhinoceros, Southern Giraffe, Nyala, African Buffalo, Blue Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Impala, Greater Kudu, Common Waterbuck and Steenbok, among many others. Lions are regularly seen (often sleeping in the shade), and although African Wild Dogs are possible too, they range over huge areas and can be tricky to pin down. Cheetahs are also uncommon, but with our expert local guide to hand, we hope to strike lucky!

At the end of our stay in Kruger National Park, we must wend our way back to Johannesburg for our return flight home. Those with more time to spare, however, might like to consider continuing their holiday with our 'South Africa — KwaZulu-Natal' tour (ZAF20), which is timed to run back-to-back with our Kruger birdwatching departures.