- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- AUD
- CAD
- ZAR
A unique private tour accompanied by an expert guide that focuses on some of the finest regions for birding. Avid bird watchers will delight in viewing some of the 858 species that have been recorded in the country.
Wakkerstroom, the Mkuze Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park are the focus of this private tour dedicated to the birdlife of South Africa. These three areas are generally regarded to be some of the finest birding spots in the country. Your private guide's extensive knowledge of the various species and best spots for photographing them is sure to greatly enhance the trip.
Safari Ref. Code
Starting Date
Starting Point
Ending Point
Customizable
Type
Accommodation Level
Countries Visited
Destinations Visited
Distance
ItineraryOnce you've arrived in Johannesburg and have cleared customs and immigration, you'll find your African Sky guide waiting for you as you enter the arrival's hall. First, we'll take care of a few formalities. The road then heads southeast through the Mpumalanga province, reaching the cozy little town of Wakkerstroom in the late morning. Known as ‘the jewel of Mpumalanga’, Wakkerstroom is the second-oldest town in the province and is internationally renowned as a ‘birder’s paradise’. It is set on the edge of a spectacular wetland with over 370 bird species recorded in the area. After check in, lunch and some time for relaxation your guide will accompany you to excellent spots for observing various species, the wetland is roughly 1000 hectares in extent and offers four bird hides with excellent locations. Your overnight accommodation is located on a six-hectare farm that blends the beautiful grasslands and wetlands that characterize the region. Martin’s Dam is only 100 m away, ceding stunning views.
Distance
Itinerary We start our day early and travel to the wetland area to spot water birds like the yellow-billed duck, African Spoonbill and black-winged stilt. We then return to our accommodation for a late breakfast before visiting the local grassland areas where we could spot blue crane, grey crowned crane, secretary bird and the southern bald ibis. Some of the rarest birds in the area that could potentially be ticked off on this day include the endemics listed under day one as well as the blue korhaan, yellow-throated sandgrouse and the Cape Vulture.
Some time is then devoted to lunch and relaxation before traveling to the nearby Ntsikeni Nature Reserve for a chance to spot amongst others, the southern ground hornbill, tawny eagle and African fish eagle arguably the bird with the most haunting of all calls. Following the days birding adventure we briefly explore Wakkerstroom before heading back to the overnight accommodation.
Distance ItineraryAfter breakfast, the birding safari turns northeast until it reaches Piet Retief and then snakes back southeast, tracing the Swaziland border into KwaZulu-Natal. The road is incredibly scenic, dressed in astonishing greenery that gradually becomes more subtropical as the route edges toward the coast. As you enter Zululand, sugarcane and fruit plantations abound. We reach Ghost Mountain Inn on the edge of the Mkuze Game Reserve around lunchtime. The hotel is named after the imposing Ghost Mountain; a mythical peak that hosts the unburied of the Battle of Tshaneni as well as the chiefs of the Ndwandwe tribe.
During the afternoon we embark on a boat cruise on Lake Jozini, a unique vantage point to spot water birds like the African Fish Eagle and Giant Kingfisher, you could also keep a lookout for brown snake eagle, African marsh harrier and the African harrier-hawk. The cruise also offers the opportunity to view hippo and crocodile as well antelope species that come to the waters edge for a late afternoon drink. Following the cruise we return to the overnight destination.
Distance ItineraryThese days are devoted to morning and afternoon birding and game drive excursions in uMkuze Game Reserve. Over 420 species of bird have been documented in the reserve, making it one of South Africa's finest birding destinations.The reserve boasts several different habitats including wetlands, woodlands, grassland, sand and riverine forest. The region is explored on both drives and stationary bird spotting from several hides located in the reserve including Fig Tree, KuMasinga, Kwamalibala, Kamasinga and Mantuma.
Notable bird species include purple-crested turaco, narina trogon, little bea-eater, bateleur eagle and the grey-headed bushshrike uMkuze is home to the Big Five and an abunance of plains game and other mammal species. The high concentration of black and white rhino are notable. These days of wilderness interaction, birding and game viewing in one of South Africa's unique wilderness areas is sure to be a highlight of your South African Birding Tour.
Distance Itinerary After breakfast, we depart from Ghost Mountain Inn and head north to the tiny kingdom of Swaziland, where our destination of Reilly's Rock is reached around noon. It is a beautiful historic lodge that was once home to the writer and conservationist, Esme Reilly. After check in, lunch and relaxation we travel a short distance to the Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary for an afternoon devoted to birding and wildlife viewing.
The reserve is set in the beautiful Ezulwini 'Heaven' Valley, it is home to white rhino, giraffe and numerous antelope species as well as over 300 identified bird species, each with a preference for the local habitats that include grassland, woodland and wetland areas. Species that could be spotted during the afternoon excursion include African hoopoe, purple crested lourie, brown headed parrot and trumpeter hornbill amongst others. We return to the overnight destination during the late afternoon. The grounds around the lodge are home to many small antelope including suni, blue duiker, common duiker and steenbok.
Distance ItineraryBreakfast overlooking the Ezulwini Valley is followed by a drive via Mbabane, the Swazi Capital to the South African border with Swaziland at Jeppes Reef. After taking care of formalities the tour enters South Africa and shortly thereafter we stop at Matsamo Cultural Village for am immersive experience into the traditions and customs of the Swazi people. During the visit guests have the opportunity to visit a traditional homestead and an explanation of roles and responsibilities as well as a cattle herding demonstration. The highlight of the visit is sure to be the energetic dance performance.
A drive of around forty minutes then leads to the Malelaan gate of the Kruger National Park, from where a short game drive is conducted en route to the overnight destination of Berg en Dal Camp. The afternoon is spent relaxing, admiring the view of the surrounding wilderness or spending time Matjulu Waterhole lookout point - sure to be rewarded by viewing numerous animals and birds.
Distance Itinerary These days in the southern Kruger National Park are focused on morning and afternoon interpretive birding and game viewing drives, with your knowledgeable guide greatly enhancing your experience in South Africa's premier conservation area. The number of bird species identified in Kruger exceed 500. Your guide will venture to different habitats and bird hides to ensure you have the opportunity to spot as great a diversity of species as possible. The lake panic bird hide is sure to be on the agenda on one of these days as it offers an excellent location to spot waterbirds, including herons, egrets, storks and ibises. The Afsaal picnic spot is ideal for viewing eagles, vultures and hawks. Some of the rare species you could encounter include Pel's fishing owl, saddle billed stork, African finfoot Verreaux's eagle and the African barred owlet.
Although the focus is on birding, these days will immerse you in the African wild with the sightings of the Big Five - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros, numerous antelope and and common mammal species. You could also encounter rare and endangered species like the African wild dog, Cheetah The waterways of Kruger are inhabited by Nile crocodile and hippopotamus.
Distance ItineraryYour last morning game drive is devoted to finding the few more elusive animals you haven’t yet seen. Often some of the best sightings of the safari occur on the very last drive! Later you’ll travel to Johannesburg via the National N4 highway. Guests are dropped off at any location of their choice in either Johannesburg or Pretoria after a South African birding adventure that should be painted in memory.
Plan 
