All images in this trip report by tour leader Carles Oliver and Joan Barat. All rights reserved.

Day 1. After our commuter flights coming from different countries, all tour participants assembled in Johannesburg, where our local guide was waiting for us. It was a lovely afternoon, and after negotiating the metropolitan traffic, we put our way North in order to explore some interesting spots.

En route, we had some of the common birds in the area, including Long-crested Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, the superb Magpie Shrike, Grey Go-away-bird and some Namaqua Doves in flight. It was a sunny afternoon, and a service stop midway down our destination provided us with the firsts Cape White-eye, Blacksmith Lapwing, Black-winged Kites, Tawny-flanked Prinia and African Palm Swifts of the trip, plus the nice surprise of 2 Horus Swifts flying along with the common Little Swifts. This is a quite scarce bird, and a good adding for the trip!

Once arrived to our first proper birding stop, the sightings came as drops in a rainy day, and soon we enjoyed Blue Waxbill, Greater Sparrow, the tame Kalahari Scrub Robin, African Pipit and several lovely Scaly-feathered Weavers. It took us literally 30 seconds to find the first Short-clawed Lark, an obliging bird that offered excellent photo opportunities. The short grass plain where we found it was full of goodies, including Black-faced Waxbills, several Cape Sparrows, 2 Desert Cisticolas, the first of many Yellow-fronted Canary, Black-chested Prinia and 1 Greater Kestrel. We spent some extra time trying to find the often shy Pink-billed Lark, but we were unlucky, and after some time the Crowned Lapwings around became specially noisy, a sign of the sunset to come. Already moving to our accommodation, we had a fast stop to take a look to the first Familiar Chats and White-browed Sparrow-Weavers of the trip.

Our wonderful accommodation embraced the British colonial heritage with the mistery of a Jurassic Park cottage. What a place! After dinner, a fast check to the varanda produced really good looks into 1 African Wood Owl while a Buff-spotted Flufftail was singing along with the chorus of amphibians in the lake beside the lodge. A wonderful first day!

Day 2. First full day of birding of the trip. It was a sunny, warm morning in the hills around Magoebaskloof. As we headed out of our accommodation, a road stop was mandatory to enjoy some common birds including Cape Robin Chat, Forest Canary, Greater Striped Swallows, Dark-capped Warbler, African Stonechats and Swee Waxbills. It was a sunny morning and soon we were walking under the canopy of one of the few spots where the indigenous forests are still plentiful. Here we enjoyed up to 15 Cape Parrots flying, calling and feeding on some tall tress. Other good birds appearing here included Knysna Turaco, Steppe Buzzard and European Bee-eater. A short walk in the deepest of the jungle produced a very fine selection of forest specialties including Orange Ground Thrush, Narina Trogon, Square-tailed Drongo, and amazing views on Yellow-streaked Babbler along with other good birds such as White Cucckooshrike, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin Chat, Barrett’s Warbler and an impressive African Sparrowhawk that was trying to pick up the breakfast in the forest.

After the forest, we visited one of the few spots for Magpie Mannikin in the area. Just arrived, we got the first of many views on Red-faced Cisticola and Black-collared Barbet, as well as Grey-tit Flycatcher and Red-chested & Amethyst Sunbirds. The Mannikins proved to be way more difficult than expected, but our patience was rewarded not only with great views on this superb bird, but also with the very first Cape Vulture of the trip!

Before lunch, we still had a stop in some open lands, where we enjoyed views on the very scarce Blue-spotted Wood Dove. This is a common bird in most of Eastern Africa, but with extremely slim populations in South Africa! Along with this gem, the place produced also the first of many Golden-breasted Buntings, Cardinal Woodpecker, Brown Snake Eagle and White-fronted Bee-eaters. A bridge nearby produced Mountain Wagtail, African Black Duck but, unfortunately, we couldn’t locate any African Finfoot.

After lunch, we went to check to very special nesting sites. In the first stop, a massive nest of African Crowned Eagle was waiting for us in a line of eucalyptus. After some great scope views on the massive eagle on its nest, we covered the short distance to the nesting area of a pair of Bat Hawks. After a bit of scanning, we got the pair of hawks quietly resting on a branch, waiting for the sunset to come. The perfect moment to catch bats!

After this unforgettable sight, we just headed back to the accommodation, where we made a stop to enjoy a bit more of the swamps beside it. Here we got excellent views on a flock of Cape Canaries, but also Cape Grassbird, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Little Rush Warbler, Little Sparrowhawk and a singing Red-chested Cuckoo singing only a few metres away from us.

Day 3. Our transfer day to Kruger happened in a misty morning. We woke up with the accommodation surrounded by thig fog. But not all were bad news. We had a small stroll around, covering the meadows down the accommodation, and at some point a Buff-spotted Flufftail started singing. Not a surprise, since during our first overnight we had at least three birds singing here. But this time the bird looked like singing closer. We went down to a place where we had a minimal view on the stream and the rank vegetation around, and then Carmine had a brief view on the bird moving along the tiny stream. Hearts on! We had a couple of really long minutes of wait (including an Orange Ground Thrush to came to drink water) and finally the bird appeared, at the beggining under the cover of a dead branch, but later we got a full view of the bird (and even a chance for a record shot) as the bird walk totaly in the open by crossing a grassy area! What an amazing sight!!

With our hearts still beating hard for this incredible sight, we came back to the accommodation for a delicious breakfast before living the area in our way to Kruger National Park. As we left, an African Dusky Flycatcher came to the garden to say goodbye to our group. The short transfer to Kruger was not absent of interest. The weather cleared out as soon as living the mountains. Beyond some Southern Black Flycatchers in fences and gardens, the first of many African Haw-Eagle, we had the only one Booted Eagle of the trip, and a wonderful African Pygmy Kingfisher that briefly came to land beside the group as we were checking raptors in the sky.

Once in Kruger, it didn’t take us long to start enjoying the of the common good birds in the area, including lovely views on Crested Barbet, Diederick Cuckoo, Walhberg’s Eagles, White-bellied Sunbird, Blue Waxbill and Sabota Lark. Among the mammals, we got the firsts of many Impalas, Plains Zebras and African Elephant Bush. A fast stop to enjoy our packed lunch added Moking Cliff Chat, a passby Eurasian Golden Oriole and a pair of Kilsgpringers enjoying their rocky outcrop. Once arrived to our camp we also had excellent views on Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Natal Spurfowl, Arrow-marqued Babbler and Grey Go-away-bird to name a few. After a short break in our comfortable huts, we went out again. During a short game drive we got stunning views on Brown-hooded Kingfishers, Double-banded Sandgrouses, Red-crested Koorhan, Grey-rumped Swallow, Temminck’s Courser, amazing views on a Klaas’s Cuckoo display, and several more! Mammals here included firsts Hartebeest of the trip plus a surprising Honey Badger doing its way in through the woodlands. To end the game drive, we stop by a bridge, where we could see the firsts of may Hypopotamus, but also Saddle-billed Stork, Wood Sandpiper, Greater Painted Snipe and also a Bat Hawk that was waiting the first bats to appear around the river.

Back to the camp we prepare ourselves to go dinner, but the day was not done yet, and a crepuscular walk around our camp produced good views on both African Barred Owlet & African Scops Owl plus the very big surprise of a Greater Galago moving in the palm threes and that was really celebrated by the group.

Day 4. This morning we enjoyed some birding in the camp, including Marico Flycatcher, Olive Bushshrike, Green-capped Camaroptera and Pearl-spotted Owlet before living South. Our transfer was dominated for the same species that the day before, but adding good views on Yellow-billed Hornbill, both Grey-backed & Chestnut-backed Sparrow Larks plus first views in other species including Green Woodhoopoe and fist views on Red-capped Lark and Kittlitz Plover.

A group of Spotted Hyaenas was lying next to the road, and Southern Giraffes were seen later to complement a good list of mammals. This day we had a brunch in one of the many lodges in Kruger, and the lunch overlooking the lake provide us with wonderful views not only of a 4 Elephants enjoying some water games, but also some interesting bird species inluding Mosque Swallow, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Great Spotted Cuckoo and even a Southern Pochard associated with the large flocks of White-faced Whistling Ducks. Large Nile Crocodiles were lying on the banks, but African Jacanas and Little Stints seem not aware of the danger.

The gardens of the lodges also proved to be extremely productive. We got here 6 Willow Warblers, and solid views on Green-winged Pytilias but also got extremelly close Jacobin and Klaas’s Cuckoos, with special mention to a Diederick Cuckoo perched only 2 metres away from us and the African Paradise Flycatchers attending its nest.

The afternoon was windy, and we checked a pair of bridges around our accommodation, adding more views on African Openbills, Saddle-billed Storks, Great White Egrets and Woolly-necked Storks to our day list, but the best of afternoon was the brilliant views on a Giant Kingfisher by the van, and the only one Osprey of the tour!

Day 5. Leaving our accommodation, we tranfered through the Mopane woodlands with several Long-billed Crombecs, Chinspot Batises and Black-backed Puffbacks seen but also with a lovely pair of Black Cuckooshrike moving in the woods. Moving South, we crossed a massive landscape of woodlands, with several White-backed Vultures and Bateleurs soaring the sky along with the less common Lappet-faced Vultures. From a outlook point above Olifants River, an endless ondulation of Mopane could be seen, florished with the long necks of the many Giraffes around. Around the river, some Hippopotamus where feeding, and the river itself provided us with the very firsts White-crowned Lapwing of the trip.

While enjoying our generous brunch other interesting species appear including Black Stork, White-throated Robin Chat and a pair of African Hawk-Eagles circling. Our drive South extended still for a pair of hours, enjoying Red-necked Korhaan but also Waterbucks and Nyalas. But the longest stop was devoted to the first pride of Lions of the tour. This time, there at least 3 females and 4 cubs of different ages, so it was easy to guess that these females were in charge of all the cubs in the pride. As expected in the middle of the day, the Lions were not very active, but one of the females gave us a wonderful walk out of the shade.

By lunch time we arrived to our new accommodation, still well inside Kruger National Park. A short walk around the lodge produced excellent views on a flock of Brown-headed Parrots roosting only a few metres above our heads. But the walk produced much more, including Golden-tailed Woodpcker but also Orange-breasted Bushshrike and the first Burnt-necked Eremomela, Grey-backed Camaroptera & Jameson’s Firefinch of the tour.

After some midday break, we left the camp to do some game drive. Amidst the large plains, small parades of Elephants were feeding, with very scenic light. Birding was quiet but still got distant bu nice views on a nesting pair of White-headed Vultures. At sunset, a Black-bellied Bustard stole the show and displayed only a few metres away from our van. What a wonderful way to end the tour!

Day 6. Our morning could not start better. An alliance of 3 male Lions lying on the tarmac, giving each other morning salutations and attentions. And roaring. Roaring only 5 metres away from the van, making sure that we were all well awake! We didn’t need any second coffee that day. That was for sure!

This day was basically devoted to contact with some grassland specialists. The day was calm and sunny, and it looked like full of activity. The first hour of the day produced good views on Kori Bustard, but also on Flappet & Rufous-napped Larks plus several Zitting Cisticolas. But today was one of the longest transfers in the tour, and so we kept moving South, enjoying several of the common birds in the area but also nice views on Southern Ground Hornbills. A lovely bird hide produced good views on Striated Herons but also on the fists Brown-crowned Tchagras and Brubrus of the tour. Black-crowned Night Heron was also a good adding to our list! Another good stop was made to check some raptors in the sky. Beyond the common Walhberg’s Eagles, we got also good views on a Martial Eagle that was unnoticed by the tour leaders as we were checking the many swifts and swallows in the sky.. It was a mistake, and who found the eagle could not resist to remind us about for the next ten days 🙂

Not far from our final destination, a large parade of Elephants gave us the change to contact with the only 2 Bennett’s Woodpeckers of the tour! By the time that we arrived to our accommodation is was windy and cold. But a short walk around the Skukuza Camp still produced some goodies including White-browed Robin Chat, the first Sombre Greenbul of the trip, Black-collared Barbet, Red-faced Mousebirds, Green-backed Camaroptera, and Little Sparrowhawk.

Day 7. Our morning around Skukuza was marked by the strong wind. Temperatures were low, with a maximum of only 18ºC, but most of the day was below 15ºC. Our morning game drive was not extremely productive, but we still got good views on the always wonderful Violet-eared Waxbill. Black Scimitarbill, Crested Francolin and Brubru were other interesting sight before having one of the top sights of the trip. Along the morning we also got the only large parck of Cape Buffalos that we got inside the Kruger National Park, and we got lucky that they were joined by some Yellow-billed Oxpeckers, a species that has recently colonised the area from the North.

A massive Leopard male was sitting by a track. When we arrived, there 4 other cars enjoying the views on the big cat. It is not surprising to see Leopards right by the road, but we had a quite extraordinary bonus track. Only a few moments after we arrived, two Warthogs were seen running away, tails up only a few metres away from the Leopard. In between, a small collector of rain was under the road. The small pipe was not of major interest, bu suddenly the Leopard when inside the pipe, and screams came out of the pipe. It was clear that a small Warthog was inside. During the next minute we had a full cacophony of screams, slugs and snarls, ending in a complete silence. It was obvious than the fight was off, and Leopard was enjoying the meal inside the pipe. We decided to wait a bit longer, and after 40 minutes of wait only 2 cars were there. At the end, the massive male came out of the pipe full of blood and with evident wounds. For the next 10 minutes, we enjoyed great views on the cat, only 4 metres away from the van. It was exhausted and dirty, but became one of the most extraordinary mammal sights during the tour.

In the afternoon we stayed in the lodge. It was really windy and cold, so we decided to work some specialties in the area. We were lucky and we had great views on Bearded Scrub Robin, Red-chested Cuckoo, African Green Pigeon and African Goshawk, that was new for the trip.

Day 8. During this day, the temperature started a long collapse, ending the day with only 6ºC, very cloudy sky and poor light. But the morning started sunny and uite warm, and our transfer South produced a long list of goodies. Even before leaving our lodge we enjoyed some Trumpeter Hornbills, and during the morning a number of stops produced great views on a number of goodies. Black Cuckoo but also the often elusive Grey-headed Bushshrike and Bearded Woodpecker were all new for the trip, and Bearded Scrub Robin and Southern Black Tits offered great looks. Our brunch stop offered far away views on 4 African Skimmers but, in addition, we got the first Terrestrial Brownbuls and Southern Boubou of the trip plus obliging Chinspot Batis, Cardinal Woodpecker, Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Grey-tit Flycatcher. As the day advanced, the weather became more colder and windy. A fast stop was made in a lodge in our way to add Crowned Hornbill and Lesser Honeyguide, but after this the bird activity declined and as we approached the limit of the park. It was 15:00 but the light was already limited. Here decided to explore some ponds immediately outside Kruger National Park. In our way out, female Lion and Leopard crossed the road only 300 metres away from each other!

Despite the cloudy weather it became really productive, as we got the first White-backed Ducks and African Swamphens of the trip, the only one Allen’s Gallinule of the tour and a lovely Buffy Pipit walking in front of the van. Other interesting species here included Collared Pratincole (hearts stopped for a while as the bad light conditions made us think on Black-winged Pratincole!), Purple Heron, Grosbeak Weaver and Collared Widowbird.

As we crossed back inside Kruger National Park, a fast final stop was made at the bridge over the Crocodile River. Here we were fascinated by the good variety of birds including Saddle-billed & Holly-necked Storks, Giant Kingfisher, 3 Black-backed Night Herons, 3 Striated Herons but also Wood Sandpipers and Greater Painted Snipe. All of this while Hypopotamus and Bush Elephants were having were hanging around along with some majestic Watterbucks and, of course, Nile Crocodiles.

From here we just covered the short distance to our lodge. In they way, we were lucky to find the first White Rhinoceros of the trip, but unfortunately we only got great views on its but. Once in the lodge, we scanned for some birds, but the very low temperature made not possible and the only interesting bird seen was a Black-headed Oriole and a flock of Red-billed Oxpeckers coming to roost in a dead tree.

Day 9. A cold and rainy day. This day we left Kruger behind to start the most exciting part of the tour. Our way to Wakkestroof was cold and rainy, and we had little chances for birding.

Still, the plains around Wakkestroof are always providing good surprises and a number of short stops provided us with the only Greater Flamingoes of the trip along with Red-knobbed Coots and Southern Pochards. Here Red-capped Larks were common, and along with them we had several Southern Ant-eating Chat, Spike-heeled Lark, 2 lovely Blue Korhaans that flew off very close from the road, some distant flocks of Blue Cranes, a memorable Lanner Falcon, and Carmine did again to find the only one Black-winged Lapwing of the trip!

Getting close to Wakkerstroof, the fields start to become smaller and more hilly, and here is where we saw 2 of the very few Springboks of the trip along with Jackal Buzzard under the rain.

Before going to our accommodation to look for shelter of the rain, we had a brief stop in a large lagoon South of Wakkerstroof. Here we had excellent views on African Snipes while feeding in the out along with Squacco & Purple Herons and several African Swamphens.

Day 10. A new early start to explore the amazing plains and hillsides around Wakkestroof. The weather was cloudy but not as cold as the day before, and temperatures went up to 16ºC as the clouds were breaking out during the morning. But the most important is that we had no rain at all. Our very first stop was devoted to explore the wetland immediately South of the town. As the they before, the area was filled with Common Moorhens, some African Swamphens and a few herons, including a lovely adult Purple Heron. Among them, we were lucky to find an African Rail, that provided long views as fed in the out along with Black Crake. Leaving the wetland behind, we faced the grassy hills North of Bakkestroof, in search of some specialties living in the bushland. There we were lucky to contact with the often elusive Bush Blackcap along with the also endemics Drakensberg Prinia, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Canary, Cape Grassbird and Bokmakeire. Some Southern Bald Ibis were flying around, and their calls were a nice complement to the sight.

Back to the plains we started looking for some grasslands specialities, and soon we had good scope views on Denhman’s Bustards, but also the common Southern Ant-eating Chat. A fast stop was necessary to admire the often secretive Coqui Francolin feeding and walking in the grasslands, and not far from there we had good views with the scarce Orange-bellied Waxbills feeding in the short grass along with the much commoner Cape Longclaws. White-bellied Bustards, with an endemic (an endangered) race in Southern Africa, proved harder to find in the grasslands, but our perseverance was granted with excellent views on 2 males moving together only a few meters away from our vehicle..

We enjoyed our brunch by a bridge hosting a colony of South African Cliff Swallows. Our itinerary through the amazing hillsides around Wakkerstroom went on, and a new stop was made by a rocky outcrop, where we enjoyed really good looks on both African Rock & Nicholson’s Pipits. Only a few hundred of metres beyond we were walking through one of the very last known spots for the very rare Rudd’s Lark. Here, the local knowledge was essential to locate one of this scarcities, and the whole group enjoyed solid views on one bird as it was feeding in the short grass of the hill side. In our way down, we enjoyed good views on both Wing-snapping and the uncommon Pale-crowned Cisticolas along with the commoner Cape Longclaw and Red-capped Lark. A further short walk in the area also produced other interesting specialities such as Sentinel Rock Thrush, Eastern Long-billed Lark and the often elusive Yellow-breasted Pipit.

Leaving the hills, we came down to the plains to spend some time in a number of fields. Again some scanning was required was our dedication was granted with good views on Pink-billed & Eastern Clapper Larks. Here we also had 3 Blue Korhaans and 5 Greater Kestrels that were chasing the very common African Pipits and Widowbirds in the area. The very last short walk of the day was to check a moist corner of the endless plain, and once more our faith was granted with good looks on at least 4 Marsh Owls that were roosting in the rank vegetation!

But our day was not over yet! Back to town, we had a fast stop by a pond and we were all surprised to hear a Red-chested Flufftail calling quite close! So, we decided to try to see the bird, and less than one minute later we were all astonished to see the bird squeaking out of the vegetation!!! It had three small, fast walks in front of our group, right before disappearing in tall grass! An amazing way to end a very special day around Wakkerstroom..

Day 11. After enjoying a wonderful home made breakfast in our B&B accommodation, we moved out as the mist started to clear out. A mandatory stop in the Bakkerstroom lake was made, and we were granted not only with great views on African Swamphens, Squacco Herons and Lesser Swamp Warblers to name a few, but also with the only one Red-throated Wryneck of the trip. A short walk along the reed bed produced great views on a group of 4 Clawless Otters playing and fishing inside the water, and our 2 Red-chested Flufftails started singing as we got inside the vehicle. A wonderful way to say goodbye to Bakkerstroom!

The transfer to Mkuze was smooth, but still quite productive in terms of birds. Temperatures were again going above 20ºC, and the clear, blue sky made us all feel happy. A pair of fast stops produced flying African Harrier-Hawk and Secretary Bird (always great to see them in flight!), Wailing Cisticola and a very unexpected Black Stork!

After having a great lunch in our magnificent lodge around Mkuze, we had a gentle walk around for the rest of the afternoon. It was rather windy, but we still pick up a number of new birds for the trip including Purple-breasted Sunbird, Dark-capped (formerly Forest) Weaver, the very smart Black-throated Wattle-Eye & White-eared Barbet plus wonderful views on Striped Kingfisher, Purple-crested Turaco and Burnt-necked Eremomela.

Day 12. Full morning birding in Mkuze. The morning started fresh and calm, a perfect weather to enjoy birds. Our very first stop was in the outskirts of the Mkuze Reserve, where the lovely indigenous forest provided good views on White-eared Barbet and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, while Red-fronted Tinkerbird was new for the trip. Once inside the park we enjoyed Brown-crowned Tchagra and Crested Guineafowl, and a Lesser Spotted Eagle flying over was also new for the trip. Lovely views on Magpie Shrike were added to the list of the day, and fast-flying flock of White-crested Helmetshrikes was a nice complement to the common herds of Impalas and Nyalas. A few yards beyond, a wonderful African Emerald Cuckoo was singing by the road, and we took advantage of this to enjoy some unforgettable views on such a great bird!

We continued scanning the low vegetation, expecting to find the very elusive Twinspots living here. After very slow driving, a small flock of them started calling in one side of the van. At that point, a massive African Crowned Eagle flew off from a branch only 15 metres away from the van, but our attention was fully concentrated in the dark undergrowth. At our left, an African Broadbill started calling, probably displaying quite close, but our eyes kept looking down in the vegetation. Our perseverance was well rewarded, and only a pair of minutes later a female Pink-throated Twinspot showed out, very low. It was feeding on the ground but, at some point, it jumped up into a branch right in front of our eyes, immediately followed for a wonderful male! The Broadbill looked like singing closer now, but we were still concentrated in these small gems, that were now preening on the branch, only for our eyes (and cameras). This Twinspot is an endemic bird to Southern Africa, with very thin populations, and only found in Southern Mozambique, Eswatini and the North-East of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Very happy for this great sight, but the Broadbill was still singing in display, and very close. A short drive of ten metres, and some manoeuvre and a wonderful African Broadbill was displaying right to our window! The bird, that normally displays high in the canopies, was singing and performing only 2 metres high, and probably less than 10 metres from the car! For the next 5 minutes, we all enjoyed a memorable moment of our lives. Some extra manoeuvre was necessary so every side of the van could have a proper view on the bird, and the Broadbill stole the show for some extra minutes!

After such a ecstatic moment, we arrived to our breakfast spot, a lovely pond with a hide. Beyond 2 Leopard Turtles drinking water, really few was on the pond, but the bushland nearby was different. Here we got excellent looks on Rudd’s Apalis, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Acacia Pied Barbet and a rather unexpected Yellow-breasted Bush Petronia, all of them new for the tour! Once our breakfast was enjoyed, we went out of the Nature Reserve to look for some birds living in the riverside forest. It didn’t take long to find a lovely Green Malkoha singing high in the trees, and our walk around produced several Trumpeter Hornbills and the only one Scaly-throated Honeyguide of the trip. But everything came down the frame when a superb Pel’s Fishing Owl came our from the deepest part of the forest, and stop for only a pair of seconds in the canopy, looking at us with its unforgettable eyes! Unfortunately everything happened too fast, and the owl flew off again to be lost in the dense vegetation. We still spend half an hour trying to relocate the bird, but it didn’t happen.. Back to the vehicle, the group celebrated the views on one of the most sought-after targets of the trip!

From here, we were out to explore a number of ponds. It was nice to see good flocks of African Pygmy Geese (probably 50+) but also White-backed Ducks, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Caspian Tern and a lovely male Greater Painted Snipe (the third of the trip!) along with Curlew Sandpiper, Hottentot Teal, Goliath Heron and several more.

Our last stop before the wind came strong, was to explore a lovely plain of short grass. Here we got great views on several Senegal Lapwings but also African Spoonbills, African Jacanas and the only one Black Egret of the trip!

Day 13. After a short stroll in the gardens of our accommodation, we headed to the coast to spend the morning in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Here we were surprised by the good number of White-backed Ducks and African Jacanas. The many small ponds along our way had every one its own Long-tailed Cormorant, many times joined by Intermediate Egret (the African form of this heron has been recently renamed as Yellow-billed Heron as the species has been split into 4 different species). A pair of Black-chested Snake Eagle was patrolling the coastal plains, and small flocks of Collared Pratincole were in their way to the bigger ponds. A pair of Red-winged Cisticolas provided us with good views right before we step on a Lesser Moorhen feeding right by the tarmac lane! To find this South African rarity, we were kindly directed by a lovely pair of common birdwatchers. Greetings to them!

A bit beyond, a new South African scarcity was waiting for us: a Rufous-bellied Heron was feeding in a rather distant corner of a pond. We kept driving along the Park with good views on Waterbucks before stopping in one of the many lookouts along the way. Here it is possible to do a short walk, a nice way to stretch our legs that was granted with really close views on the very elusive Brown Scrub Robin and a fast but solid view on 1 Southern Banded Snake Eagle while Narina Trogon and Rudd’s Apalis were calling nearby.

After such a great stop, we just drove out the Park, but before we had a rather unexpected stop, since a White Rhinoceros was feeding 100 metres away from the main lane, and we all enjoyed good views on this peaceful, endangered giant!

A lovely lunch by the beach was an excellent introduction for the last stop of the day. It was already a windy afternoon, but this was not going to stop us. Since September, a Saunder’s Tern had been staying in a river mouth close to Saint Lucia, and we were determined to add such a mega to the list of the tour. Some walk in the beach was required, and once agreed with all the tour participants, we walk down to the beach to look for the bird. Soon, we were contacting with some White-fronted Plovers, Lesser Crested Terns and Grey Plovers. 3 African Oystercatchers were fiding in the beach along with Sanderlings and some Little Terns were resting on the beach along with other species. We scanned once and over, but the bird was not there. The wind peaked up, and the sand was heating us even stronger. But every dot of sand in our shoes was worth it when the Saunder’s Tern appeared flying over the Lesser Crested Terns, and stop next to them, allowing everybody in our small group to have great views on this great rarity for the country!

Happy with this unexpected adding, we came back to our accommodation to enjoy some rest and a very nice dinner.

Day 14. Early morning walk immediately around our accommodation in Saint Lucia. The wind went off, allowing us a great morning of birding where we enjoyed some of the specialties living in the area including Grey Sunbird, Red-capped Robin Chat and the lovely Woodwart’s Batis. An African Cuckoo-Hawk briefly appeared up in the canopy, allowing us short but good views, and the localised Green Twinspot also appeared for us. But the best surprise of the morning walk was a flock of 5 Grey Waxbills showing right in the path in front of us! We could not believe what we saw!! The last but not the last, Livingstone Turaco proved harder than we thought, and didn’t show properly until the very end of the walk.

After breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning in game drive in iSimangaliso Park, where we got the best views on Cape Buffalo during the trip, plus lovely views on Mountain Reedbucks and 4 White Rhinoceros!

From here we just drove South to our next accommodation, arriving a pair of hours before dinner.

Day 15. Final morning of birding to try to connect with some specialties living around Eshowe. Our first stop was at the Dhinza Forest Parc, a relict area of protected primary forest. Walking along the boardwalk, we were welcomed by some African Olive Pigeons, Little Sparrowhawk and Grey Cuckoochrike catching the first morning light, and as the sun raised we could heard the firsts Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons singing out of the canopy. It took some minutes, but finally everybody in the group had excellent scope views on the bird. Back to the ground, our local guide fastly connected with one of the very few African Ground Thrushes living in the area. A nervous Lemon Dove showed briefly, but a male Blue Duiker didn’t stole the show and posed for us very long, and only a few metres away, as we were moving out of the reserve.

From this gorgeous spot, we drove to the very last forest hosting Green Barbet in Southern Africa. In our way, Carmine saw a Buttonquail jumping from the way of the tires, and we took the chance, step out of the car, and everybody in the group had a chance to see the Black-rumped Buttonquail flying away from us.. Great!

Once in the forest, it didn’t take long to see at least 4 of these extremely endangered bird while feeding on figs. We were lucky, since this species can be hard to find!

Back to the prairies, we still had a Martial Eagle flying above the hills, and a pair of Southern Ground Hornbills feeding beside the car. Befores starting heading to the airport, a very last stop allowed us to connect with a Striped Pipit that our local guide kept in the fridge for us. A wonderful way to end the trip!!

LIST OF BIRDS SEEN DURING THE TOUR

1. Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
2. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
3. Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis)
4. South-african Shelduck (Tadorna cana)
5. Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
6. African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus autirus)
7. White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
8. Cape Shoveler (Spatula smithii)
9. Blue-billed Teal (Spatula hottentota)
10. Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata)
11. African Black Duck (Anas sparsa)
12. White-backed Duck (Thalassornis leuconotus)
13. Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophtalma)
14. Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
15. Southern Crested Guineafowl (Guttera edouardi)
16. Crested Francolin (Ortygornis sephaena)
17. Coqui Francolin (Campocolinus coqui)
18. Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis)
19. Swainson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis afer)
20. Little Swift (Apus affinis)
21. White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer)
22. Horus Swift (Apus horus)
23. African Black Swift (Apus barbatus)
24. Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba)
25. African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus)
26. Grey Go-away-bird (Crinifer concolor)
27. Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus)
28. Livingstone’s Turaco (Tauraco livingstonii)
29. Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix)
30. Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
31. Denham’s Bustard (Neotis denhami)
32. White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
33. Blue Korhaan (Eupodotis caerulescens)
34. Red-crested Korhaan (Lophotis ruficrista)
35. Black-bellied Bustard (Lissotis melanogaster)
36. Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)
37. Klaa’s Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas)
38. African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus)
39. Green Malkoha (Ceuthmochares australis)
40. Levaillant’s Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii)
41. Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)
42. Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius)
43. Black Cukoo (Cuculus clamosus)
44. Burchell’s Coucal (Centropus burcherllii)
45. Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus)
46. Specked Pigeon (Columba guinea)
47. African Olive Pigeon (Columba arquatrix)
48. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia sp.)
49. Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba delegorguei)
50. Lemon Dove (Columba larvata)
51. Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)
52. African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens)
53. Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola)
54. Red-eye Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)
55. Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)
56. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos)
57. Blue-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur afer)
58. African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus)
59. Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans)
60. Red-chested Flufftail (Sarothrura rufa)
61. Black Crake (Zapornia flavirostris)
62. African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascarensis)
63. African Rail (Rallus caerulescens)
64. Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata)
65. Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata)
66. Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
67. Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)
68. Blue Crane (Grus paradisea)
69. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
70. Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)
71. Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus)
72. African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini)
73. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
74. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
75. Crowned Plover (Vanellus coronatus)
76. White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps)
77. Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)
78. Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris)
79. Black-winged Lapwing (Vanellus melanopterus)
80. African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus)
81. White-fronted Plover (Charadrius marginatus)
82. Kittlitz’s Plover (Charadrius pecuarius)
83. Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris)
84. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
85. Mars Sandpiper (Tringla stagnatilis)
86. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
87. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
88. Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
89. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
90. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
91. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
92. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
93. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
94. Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
95. African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)
96. Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)
97. African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis)
98. Temminck’s Courser (Cursorius temminckii)
99. Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)
100. Grey-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
101. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
102. Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)
103. Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus benghalensis)
104. Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
105. Saunder’s Tern (Sternula saundersi)
106. Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus)
107. African Skimmer (Rhynchops flavirostris)
108. Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)
109. African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligeru)
110. Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)
111. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
112. Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
113. Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
114. African Darter (Anhinga rufa)
115. Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus)
116. White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus)
117. Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocratus)
118. African Sacred Ibis (Theskiornis aethiopicus)
119. Southern Bald Ibis (Geronticus calvus)
120. Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)
121. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
122. African Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
123. Brack-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
124. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
125. Striated Heron (Butorides striata)
126. Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
127. Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufoventris)
128. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
129. Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca)
130. Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus)
131. Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)
132. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
133. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
134. Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)
135. Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala)
136. Harmekop (Scopus umbretta)
137. Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
138. Osprey (Pandion haliaetos)
139. Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)
140. Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
141. African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
142. Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
143. Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)
144. White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)
145. White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
146. Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
147. Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis)
148. Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)
149. Southern Banded Snake Eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus)
150. Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)
151. Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus)
152. African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus)
153. African Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda cuculoides)
154. African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro)
155. Black Goshawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)
156. Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus)
157. African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)
158. Steppe Buzzard (Buteo vulpinus)
159. Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)
160. Long-crested (Lophaetus occipitalis)
161. Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina)
162. Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)
163. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
164. Wahlberg’s Eagle (Aquila wahlbergi)
165. Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata)
166. African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster)
167. Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
168. Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)
169. African Barred Owlet (Glaucidium capense)
170. African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)
171. Marsh Owl (Asio capensis)
172. African Wood Owl (Strix woodfordii)
173. Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus)
174. Pel’s Fishing Owl (Scotopelia peli)
175. Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus)
176. Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus)
177. Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina)
178. African Hoopoe (Upupa africana)
179. Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus)
180. Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
181. Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
182. Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris)
183. Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas)
184. Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus)
185. African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
186. Trumpeter Hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator)
187. Purple Roller (Coracias naevia)
188. Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
189. Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus)
190. Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
191. Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)
192. Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris)
193. Striped Kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti)
194. African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta)
195. Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata)
196. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
197. Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus)
198. White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)
199. White-eared Barbet (Stactolaema leucotis)
200. Green Barbet (Stactolaema olivacea)
201. Acacia Pied Barbet (Tricholaema leucomela)
202. Red-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus pusillus)
203. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)
204. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
205. Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)
206. Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii)
207. Scaly-throated Honeyguide (Indicator variegatus)
208. Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor)
209. Red-throated Wryneck (Jynx ruficollis)
210. Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni)
211. Benett’s Woodpecker (Campethera benetti)
212. Bearded Woodpecker (Chloropicus namaquus)
213. Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscencens)
214. Olive Woodpecker (Dendropiccos griseocephalus)
215. Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)
216. Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)
217. Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus)
218. Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus)
219. African Broadbill (Smithornis capensis)
220. Cape Batis (Batis capensis)
221. Woodward’s Batis (Batis fratrum)
222. Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor)
223. Black-throated Wattle-eye (Platysteira peltata)
224. Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti)
225. Black-fronted Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus nigrifons)
226. Orange-breasted Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus)
227. Olive Bushshrike (Telophorus olivaceus)
228. Bokmakieri (Telophorus zeylonus)
229. Gorgeous Bushshrike (Telophorus quadricolor)
230. Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis)
231. Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegalus)
232. Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla)
233. Southern Boubou (Laniarius ferrugineus)
234. Brubru (Nialus afer)
235. Grey Cuckooshrike (Coracina caesia)
236. Black Cuckooshrike (Campaphaga flava)
237. White-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus)
238. Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus)
239. Southern Fiscal (Lanius collaris)
240. Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus)
241. Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
242. Fork-tailed Drongo (Dricurus adsimilis)
243. Common Square-tailed Drongo (Dricurus ludwigii)
244. Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher (Trochocercus cyanomelas)
245. African Paradise Flycatcher (Tersiphone viridis)
246. Cape Crow (Corvus capensis)
247. Pied Crow (Corvus albus)
248. White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)
249. Southern Black Tit (Melaniparus niger)
250. Sabota Lark (Calendulauda sabota)
251. Rudd’s Lark (Heteromirafra ruddi)
252. Spike-heeled Lark (Chersomanes albofasciata)
253. Eastern Clapper Lark (Mirafra fasciolata)
254. Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana)
255. Flappet Lark (Mirafra rufocinnanomea)
256. Pink-billed Lark (Spizocorys conirostris)
257. Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana)
258. Eastern Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda semitorquata)
259. Grey-backed Sparrow Lark (Eremopterix verticalis)
260. Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucotis)
261. Red-capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea)
262. Sombre Greenbul (Andropadus importunus)
263. Yellow-bellied Greenbul (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
264. Yellow-streaked Greenbul (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus)
265. Terrestrial Brownbul (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
266. Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor)
267. Black Saw-wing (Psalidoprogne holomelas)
268. Plain Martin (Riparia paludicola)
269. Banded Martin (Riparia cincta)
270. Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
271. Grey-rumped Swallow (Pseudhirundo griseopyga)
272. Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
273. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
274. White-throated Swallow (Hirundo albogularis)
275. Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii)
276. Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
277. Red-breasted Swallow (Cecropis semirufa)
278. Mosque Swallow (Cecropis senegalensis)
279. Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinicus)
280. Greater Striped Swallow (Cecropis cucullata)
281. South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera)
282. Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer)
283. Long-billed Crombec (Sylvietta rufescens)
284. Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler (Phylloscopus ruficapilla)
285. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
286. Common Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
287. Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracillirostris)
288. African Yellow Warbler (Iduna natalensis)
289. Barrat’s Warbler (Bradypterus barratti)
290. Little Rush-Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala)
291. Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
292. Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops)
293. Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana)
294. Wailing Cisticola (Cisticola lais)
295. Rufous-winged Cisticola (Cisticola galactotes)
296. Levaillant’s Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens)
297. Neddicky / Piping Cisticola (Cisticola fulvicapilla)
298. Desert Cisticola (Cisticola aridulus)
299. Pale-crowned Cisticola (Cisticola cinnamoenus)
300. Wing-snapping Cisticola (Cisticola ayresii)
301. Black-chested Prinia (Prinia flavicaps)
302. Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava)
303. Drakensberg Prinia (Prinia hypoxantha)
304. Bar-throated Prinia (Prinia thoracica)
305. Rudd’s Apalis (Apalis ruddi)
306. Yellow-breasted Apalis (Apalis flavida)
307. Green-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura)
308. Grey-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brevicaudata)
309. Burnt-necked Eremomela (Eremomela usticollis)
310. Bush Blackcap (Sylvia nigricapillus)
311. Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens)
312. Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii)
313. Wattled Starting (Creatophora cinerea)
314. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
315. Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
316. Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corusca)
317. Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
318. Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)
319. Pied Starling (Lamprotornis bicolor)
320. Burchell’s Starling (Lamprotornis australis)
321. Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
322. Red-winged Starling (Onychognatus morio)
323. Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)
324. Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus)
325. Spotted Ground Thrush (Geokichla guttata)
326. Orange Ground Thrush (Geokighla guenyi)
327. Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa)
328. Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus)
329. Kurrichane Thrush (Turdus libonyanus)
330. Fiscal Flycatcher (Melaenornis sirens)
331. Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaernornis pammelaina)
332. Marico Flycatcher (Melaenornis mariquensis)
333. African Dusky Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta)
334. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
335. Ashy Flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens)
336. Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)
337. Kalahari Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas paena)
338. White-browed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
339. Brown Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas signata)
340. Grey-tit Flycatcher (Myioparus plumbeus)
341. African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)
342. Ant-eating Chat (Myrmecocichla formicivora)
343. Mountain Wheatear (Myremocichla monticola)
344. Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha caffra)
345. White-throated Robin-Chat (Cossypha humeralis)
346. White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini)
347. Red-capped Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis)
348. Chorister Robin-Chat (Cossypha dichroa)
349. White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata)
350. Sentinel Rock Thrush (Monticola explorator)
351. Buff-streaked Chat (Campicoloides bifsciatus)
352. Mokking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)
353. Familiar Chat (Oenanthe familiaris)
354. Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris)
355. Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea)
356. Grey Sunbird (Cyanomitra veroxii)
357. Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)
358. Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
359. Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa)
360. Neergaard’s Sunbird (Cinnyris neergaardi)
361. Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus)
362. Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer)
363. Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis)
364. Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus)
365. White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala)
366. Gurney’s Sugarbird (Promerops gurneyi)
367. Cape Sparrow (Passer melanurus)
368. Great Sparrow (Passer motitensis)
369. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
370. Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus)
371. Yellow-throated Bush Petronia (Gymnoris superciliaris)
372. White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali)
373. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger)
374. Scaly-feathered Weaver (Sporopipes squamifrons)
375. Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)
376. Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis)
377. Spectacled Weaver (Ploceus ocularis)
378. Dark-capped Weaver (Ploceus bicolor)
379. Eastern Golden Weaver (Ploceus subaureus)
380. Holub’s Golden Weaver (Ploceus xanthops)
381. Southern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus xanthopterus)
382. Lesser Masked Weaver (Ploceus intermedius)
383. Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)
384. Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus)
385. Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps)
386. Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea)
387. Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix)
388. Yellow Bishop (Euplectes capensis)
389. White-winged Widowbird (Euplectes albonotatus)
390. Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne)
391. Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens)
392. Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axiliaris)
393. Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata)
394. Magpie Mannikin (Spermestes fringilloides)
395. Swee Waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis)
396. Green Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula)
397. Black-faced Waxbill (Brunhilda erythronotos)
398. Grey Waxbill (estrilda perreini)
399. Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
400. Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amandava subflava)
401. Violet-eared Waxbill (Granatina granatina)
402. Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis)
403. Orange-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba)
404. Pink-throated Twinspot (Hypargos margaritatus)
405. Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala)
406. African Firefinch (Lagonostica rubricata)
407. Jameson’s Firefinch (Lagonostica rhodopareia)
408. Durky Indigobird (Vidua funerea)
409. Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata)
410. Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura)
411. Long-tailed Paradise Whydah (Vidua paradisaea)
412. Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis)
413. African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp)
414. Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara)
415. Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis)
416. Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus)
417. African Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus)
418. Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus ceucophrys)
419. Nicholson’s Pipit (Anthus nicholsoni)
420. Buffy Pipit (Anthus vaalensis)
421. Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris)
422. African Rock Pipit (Anthus crenatus)
423. Yellow-breasted Pipit (Anthus chloris)
424. Cape Canary (Serinus canicollis)
425. Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica)
426. Forest Canary (Crithagra scotops)
427. Streaky-headed Canary (Crithagra gularis)
428. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (Emberiza tahapasi)
429. Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris)

LIST OF MAMMALS SEEN DURING THE TOUR

1. Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus)
2. Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
3. Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis)
4. Greater Galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
5. Smith’s Ground Squirrel (Paraxenus cepapi)
6. Scrub Hare (Lepus saxatilis)
7. Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas)
8. Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)
9. African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis)
10. Common Slender Mongoose (Herpestes sanguinea)
11. Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata)
12. Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)
13. Marsh Mongoose (Atilax paludinosus)
14. Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
15. Leopard (Pathera pardus)
16. Lion (Panthera leo)
17. Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
18. African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
19. Plains Zebra (Equus quagga)
20. White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
21. Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
22. Southern Giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)
23. Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
24. Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)
25. Natal Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis)
26. Common Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
27. Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus)
28. Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymmus)
29. Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus)
30. Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)
31. Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris)
32. Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
33. Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula)
34. Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)
35. African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
36. Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)
37. Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)
38. Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
39. Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

LIST OF REPTILIANS SEEN DURING THE TOUR

1. Nile Crocodile (Crocodylius niloticus)
2. Leopard Turtle (Stigmochelys pardalis)
3. Southern Tree Agama (Acanthocercus atricollis)
4. Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis)
5. Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)
6. Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus)