Trip
Information
Tour Dates:
Cape South Africa: October 1 - 8, 2009 (8 days)
Subtropical South Africa: October 8 - 21, 2009 (14
days)
Guide: Errol de Beer
Tour
prices:
Cape - $2,350 USD, $2,660 CDN, Single supplement $240 USD, $275
CDN
Subtropics - $4,060 USD, $4,585 CDN, Single supplement
$425 USD, $545 CDN
Highlights
Cape South Africa
• Exceptional, high quality birding and wildlife viewing
in
the
most plant-rich biome on earth
• Spectacular scenery; rugged Cape Fold Mountains, white sand beaches,
sea cliffs on the Cape Peninsula, and beautiful vineyards.
• Among the richest and most exciting Pelagic Trip, from whales to Albatrosses
Subtropical
South Africa
• Exceptional, high quality birding and wildlife viewing in
a range of habitats
•
Picturesque and spectacular scenery, particularly the Drakensberg
highlands, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, and fabulous Kruger National
Park
•
Unparalleled and exciting African experience, excellent chance of
the “big 5”, over 400 bird species, and a host of other
marvelous wildlife Featured
Birds & Mammals
Cape South Africa
• Cape Sugarbird
• Blue Crane
• African Penguin
• Cape Rockjumper
•
Verreaux’s Eagle
•
Denham’s Bustard
• Agulhas Clapper Lark
• Black Harrier
• Many pelagic seabirds (albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters) and marine
mammals (whales)
Subtropical
South Africa
• Southern Bald Ibis
•
Barrow’s Korhaan
•
Blue Korhaan
•
Narina Trogon
•
Drakensberg Rockjumper
•
Spotted Ground Thrush
•
Rudd’s Lark
•
Crimson-breasted Shrike
•
Many large herbivores (antelope, zebra, elephant, rhino and more)
and carnivores (lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena) Trip Summary
Cape South Africa
• A fairly leisurely pace, with a few walks in rocky terrain
•
Excellent, comfortable and “bird-friendly” lodgings
• Pelagic trip
• All meals included, usually good food
• Warm to hot days, cool nights
• Expect lots of Cape endemics
• 4 to 12 participants
• Diverse wildlife habitats maybe among spectacular carpets of flowers
• Minibus or van with driver
Subtropical
South Africa
• A
fairly leisurely pace, with a few walks in rocky terrain
• Luxury and simple, clean lodgings
• Night drives
• All meals included, usually good food
• Warm to hot days, cool nights
• Expect 350 - 400 species of birds, 35 - 45 species of mammals
• 4 to 12 participants
• Diverse wildlife habitats
• Minibus or van with driver
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 Our Grand South Africa
Tour incorporates the best of South African birding, the Western Cape
and eastern South Africa from Durban through the Drakensberg Mountains
and the Kingdom of Lesotho to fabulous Kruger National Park.
The Western
Cape ranks as the most important endemic bird area on the entire African
continent! It is truly essential because of its sheer
number of
endemics. Pelagic trips off Cape Town also rank as amongst the finest in
the world with at least four albatross species, several petrels including
the stunning Pintado, penguins, shearwaters and many more on the rich trawling
grounds near where two oceans, Indian and Atlantic, meet. The Cape is also
a spectacularly scenic area, with rugged Cape Fold Mountains that plunge
down to the sea, white sand beaches, sea cliffs on the Cape Peninsula,
and beautiful vineyards. Southern Right Whales close inshore plus a lot
of other mammals, sometimes spectacular carpets of flowers and the most
plant-diverse biome on earth are further major attractions that are easily
seen and appreciated. Our tour is eight days long, with a major focus of
locating almost all the endemics of this province, spending time in each
strategic ecosystem – the fynbos, Namaqualand, Karoo, temperate forest
and Agulhas Plains (Overberg). We will amass an impressive list including
many pelagic and other seabirds, and as always, an amazing overall experience.
Following our birding adventure in the Western Cape, we move on to our
subtropical tour which provides some of the very best that African birding
can offer. Huge numbers of species will be seen - typical bird lists are
among the highest in the world – about 400 species, including large
numbers of South African endemics. Furthermore, this dream African experience
provides the opportunity of seeing lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants,
rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, antelope, plus many other mammal
species, as well as breathtaking scenery.
We begin our birding
safari in the bird-rich subtropical city of Durban on the Indian Ocean,
then head
inland to the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains.
This “barrier of spears”, as locals have named the imposing
Drakensberg Escarpment, separates South Africa from the tiny mountain kingdom
of Lesotho, which we also visit. The beautiful Lesotho and Drakensberg
highlands harbor a host of localized avian endemics. After birding the
Drakensberg, we descend in altitude to explore the fascinating temperate
forests of the Natal midlands where spectacular species such as Spotted
Ground Thrush, Orange Ground Thrush, Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, Green
Twinspot, Green Malkoha and many others occur. Next is the habitat mosaic
of subtropical forest, savanna, moist grassland and superb wetlands of
the northern Zululand coast, an area truly world-famous for its spectacular
bird diversity. Then we head for the grassy hills of Wakkerstroom, essential
for such sought-after species as Blue and Barrow’s Korhaans, Rudd’s
and Botha’s Larks, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Bush Blackcap, Bald Ibis
and a plethora of other southern African endemics. Next is fabulous Kruger,
among the greatest national parks on earth. Eventually, we ascend out
of the subtropical lowlands and onto the temperate highland plateau on
which
the mile-high city of Johannesburg sprawls. Before flying out of Johannesburg,
we sample birds typical of the Kalahari semi-desert northwest of Pretoria,
including such gems as Southern Pied Babbler and Crimson-breasted Shrike. See detailed itinerary
below.
Cape South Africa
Subtropical South
Africa
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Itinerary
Cape
South Africa
Day
1: Arrival in Cape Town
Our international flight arrives in Cape Town. Time permitting,
we can bird one of the Cape Peninsula’s fine wetlands (Intaka
Island, Rietvlei or Rondevlei). Here we look for Great White Pelican,
Greater Flamingo, a host of shorebirds, Cape Teal, Maccoa Duck and
many other waterfowl, Little Bittern and many other herons, three
grebe species, Old World Painted Snipe, African Snipe, four species
of reed-associated warbler and other waterbirds. We should also find
good numbers of terrestrial endemics including Spotted Prinia, Cape
Bulbul and the endemic Jackal Buzzard. Overnight at the lovely “birder-friendly” Afton
Grove B&B. Day
2: Pelagic trip (or Cape Peninsula and False Bay birding)
We have scheduled our Pelagic Trip today, weather permitting. We
will schedule it for Day 3 should conditions be unfavourable
today; we will
find out two days before the pelagic. We have a full-day pelagic
trip, which departs from Simonstown, where a colony of African
Penguins occurs.
We will be going 30-50 km out to sea. En route, we pass the magnificent
Cape Point – very spectacular when seen from the sea. Our first
pelagic species are usually Sooty Shearwater and White-chinned Petrel
with the occasional Spectacled Petrel, followed soon by both species
of Giant Petrel. Further out, we can expect four albatross species,
Pintado and other petrels, several storm petrels (two species are usually
common), shearwaters and many others. We almost always find at least
one trawler, and it is around these fishing boats that huge congregations
of albatrosses and other seabirds create an amazing spectacle. We also
often encounter marine mammals such as Bryde’s Whales on
these pelagics.
Overnight Afton Grove B&B.
Day 3: Cape Peninsula and False Bay (or Pelagic Trip)
We begin our Cape Peninsula birding at the Constantia Greenbelt,
where the most strategic species is the endangered, localized, skulking
Knysna
Warbler. This warbler has a beautiful song, but is somewhat drab
in appearance. While looking for this bird, we may find Buff-spotted
Flufftail,
African Olive (Rameron) Pigeon, Red-chested Cuckoo, the attractive
Cape Batis and other good birds. After birding here, we visit the
nearby Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, an internationally accaimed
garden
and one of the most beautiful places anywhere, which is full of birds.
Here it is quite easy to find some important fynbos endemics such
as Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird, while Cape Francolin,
Southern
Boubou, Cape Canary, Brimstone Canary, Cape Thrush, Cape Robin-chat,
Swee Waxbill (with luck) and a whole host of other quality birds
entertain us. Eurasian Honey Buzzard, a very rare bird in South Africa,
is regular
at Kirstenbosch in late summer.
Many other raptors are possible here and at other sites we visit – including
Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle, several exciting accipiters, Jackal
Buzzard, Forest Buzzard (endemic), Peregrine Falcon, Rock Kestrel
and others. After birding these beautiful gardens, we depart for
Rooiels.
To reach this village, we traverse one of the most scenic drives
in South Africa along the False Bay coast. First we drive parallel
to
long white beaches bordering the “Cape Flats” that
separate the mountainous Cape Peninsula from the inland Cape Fold
mountain
ranges. Then we reach an area where impressive mountains meet the
sea to begin
a truly stunning marine drive. The main target bird at Rooiels
is the charismatic and localized Cape Rockjumper. We should also
find
Cape
Siskin, Cape Rock-thrush and many more. On the way back to the
Cape Peninsula, we plan to bird the superb Strandfontein Bird Sanctuary
for a plethora of herons, reed-associated warblers, waterfowl,
shorebirds,
African Black Oystercatcher, African Purple Swamphen, African Marsh
Harrier and many others. Overnight Afton Grove B&B.
Day
4: West Coast birding
Today we begin an exciting birding journey northwards from Cape
Town. We hope to find the stunning Black Harrier, Chestnut-banded
Plover,
Cape Penduline Tit, Cape Clapper Lark, Cape Long-billed Lark,
Grey-wing Francolin, Southern Black Korhaan and other specials
in addition
to a tremendous shorebird spectacle. Langebaan Lagoon is one
of Africa’s
most important shorebird stopover sites, and there are good hides
from which to observe the spectacle. We may also find Osprey,
African Fish
Eagle and many others. Overnight Glennfinnan Guesthouse, Langebaan.
Day
5: Cederberg Mountains and the Karoo
Today we head inland over the magnificent Cederberg Mountain
Range, stopping at an excellent site for Protea Canary. On
the summit, we
have a second chance for Cape Rockjumper if missed at Rooiels,
and we may find Ground Woodpecker, European Bee-eater and other
spectacular
species. Then we head to the eastern (rain-shadow) side of
the mountains to the famed Karoo. Here, almost every species
encountered
is endemic,
so it makes for spectacularly exciting birding in this semi-desert.
Species we target include the Cinnamon-breasted Warbler (a
truly bizarre rock crevice skulker), Namaqua Warbler, the lovely
Rufous-eared
Warbler,
Black-headed Canary, White-throated Canary, Fairy Flycatcher,
Southern Grey Tit, Karoo Chat, Sickle-winged Chat, Tractrac
Chat, Karoo Lark,
Karoo Long-billed Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Large-billed Lark,
Karoo Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Burchell’s Courser, Double-banded
Courser, Ludwig’s Bustard, Karoo Korhaan, Pale Chanting
Goshawk, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove and many others.
Night drives at our fine
B&B can yield Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Spotted Eagle Owl
and, with luck, Cape Eagle Owl, plus some excellent small mammals
such
as Bat-eared
Fox, Black-backed Jackal, and possibly even Caracal or Aardvark
although both these require extreme luck. Overnight Tanqua
B&B.
Day
6: Langeberg Mountains
We spend the first part of the morning birding the Karoo. After
brunch, we begin the scenic drive to a completely different
landscape. We
cross another mountain range out of the rainshadow, and head
for a fine temperate
forest at the base of the Langeberg Mountains. This forest
is inhabited by such sought-after birds as Knysna Woodpecker,
Olive
Woodpecker,
Olive Bush-shrike, Narina Trogon, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher,
Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler and many more. The forest
fringes host the localized Victorin’s Warbler, a vocal
but skulking species, Forest Canary, Cape Siskin, Swee Waxbill
and more. Our attractively
positioned B&B quite often attracts Buff-spotted Flufftail
and up to three species of honeyguide, Cape Grassbird and
sometimes Red-necked
Spurfowl. An optional night expedition into the forest could
yield African Wood Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar. Overnight
Honeywood Farm.
Day 7: Agulhas Plains
After early morning birding in and around the forest, we
have brunch, then head for the amazing Agulhas Plains. These
plains
separate the
southern-most tip of the African continent, where the Atlantic
and Indian Oceans meet, from Cape Fold Mountains further
inland. These
plains are one of the few areas where Secretarybird and Denham’s
Bustard are still common. They are also the most important
stronghold for South Africa’s magnificent national
bird, Blue Crane. White Stork is common in late summer. Extremely
localized endemics such
as Agulhas Clapper Lark, Agulhas Long-billed Lark and others
occur here.
We also visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve, which protects
a large tract of highly threatened lowland (as opposed to
mountain) fynbos.
Here
we will see lots of waterbirds, Southern Tchagra, plus we
may encounter close inshore Southern Right Whales, Cape Mountain
Zebra, Bontebok
and other mammal specialties of the Cape. Time permitting,
we may visit De Mond Nature Reserve, an excellent site for
the rare, localized,
diminutive Damara Tern. We head back to Cape Town for the
final night of the tour. Overnight Afton Grove B&B.
Day
8: Departure
Our pre-tour concludes after breakfast in Cape Town. We
then fly to Durban to start our Subtropical South Africa
Birding
Adventure.
Subtropical
South Africa
Day 1: Arrival in Durban
Our Subtropical South Africa part of our Grand South Africa Tour starts
in the bird-rich subtropical city of Durban, where we land after
completing the Western Cape part of our tour. We drive inland to
Creighton, about 1.5 hours’ drive from Durban, birding along
the way. Time permitting, we can look for Pied (Magpie) Mannikin
before birding the fine Oribi Gorge and Vernon Crookes Nature Reserves.
Overnight Smithfield Guest House, Creighton.
Day 2: Sani Pass and
the mountain kingdom of Lesotho
We leave very early in morning, around 05h30, with a packed breakfast
and lunch to ascend the Sani Pass by 4-wheel drive with a local guide.
The ascent up Sani Pass, one of the most famed birding routes in South
Africa, provides easy access to most of the birds endemic to the Drakensberg
Escarpment and highlands, plus spectacular mountain scenery. Patches
of temperate forest and scrub, inhabited by sought-after Bush Blackcap,
Drakensberg Prinia, Chorister Robin and other endemics, are found in
the lower reaches of the pass. This habitat is replaced by Protea savanna
a little higher up, where Gurney’s Sugarbird and Malachite Sunbird
occur. Above the tree-line, Drakensberg Siskin and Orange-breasted
Rockjumper start to appear, and at even higher altitude, Mountain Pipit,
Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer) and many other Drakensberg specialties
occur. We spend a full day ascending to the top of the escarpment and
into the beautiful mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, with frequent stops
along the way, in a quest to find all the localized specialties. We
then descend the mountain for dinner. Overnight Smithfield Guest House,
Creighton.
Day 3: Drakensberg Highlands and Dlinza Forest
This morning before brunch we bird a patch of high altitude temperate
forest and surrounding grasslands for stunning birds such as Orange
Ground Thrush, Olive Woodpecker, the critically-endangered Cape Parrot,
the magnificent and endangered Blue Swallow, Narina Trogon and a host
of others. We may find Denham’s and Black-bellied Bustard, Bald
Ibis, Southern Ground Hornbill, Black-winged Lapwing and a host of
other exciting species between the B&B and the forest patch. After
brunch, we depart for Eshowe where, time-permitting, we can bird Dlinza
Forest with its splendid canopy tower and aerial boardwalk. Overnight
Eshowe B&B.
Day 4: Ongoye Forest and Raffia Palm Nature Monument
We make a very early start with packed breakfasts and lunches. We bird
the medium-altitude Ongoye Forest in the morning with a local guide.
In this truly beautiful temperate forest, we look for Narina Trogon,
the endangered Spotted Ground Thrush, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, the
inconspicuous Green Twinspot, Grey Waxbill, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Green
Malkoha, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, and many other phenomenal species.
Ongoye Red Squirrel is also quite possible. After birding this and
other forests in the area, we plan to head to the warm coast to seek
Palm-nut Vulture in the Raffia Palm Nature Monument at Mtunzini, as
well as Collared (Red-winged) Pratincole, the rare Swamp Nightjar at
its daytime roost, and a plethora of other tantalizing specials. Overnight
Eshowe B&B.
Day 5: Dlinza Forest Canopy Tower and Lake St. Lucia
We visit the Dlinza Forest canopy tower in the early morning. Here,
it is often possible to see Grey Cuckoo-shrike and other generally
elusive species at eye-level. White-eared Barbet, Trumpeter and Crowned
Hornbill, Olive Bush-shrike and a whole host of other species often
put in an appearance. When mixed feeding flocks gather, the birding
becomes even more exciting. Thanks to the new canopy tower, this is
probably the easiest place in South Africa to find the rare and unpredictable
Delegorgue’s (Eastern Bronze-naped) Pigeon (absent in some years).
After brunch, we head to the famed Lake St. Lucia, which has a phenomenally
rich assemblage of waterbirds, forest birds, grassland birds and others
in its great variety of different habitats. Overnight St. Lucia Wetlands
B&B.
Day 6: Cape Vidal
We leave early with a packed breakfast for Cape Vidal. We are bound
to stumble across White Rhino and other megafauna en route to Cape
Vidal, which is one of the best sites for Green Twinspot, the elusive
Southern Banded Snake Eagle and the attractive Crested Guineafowl – far
more exotic in appearance than its more common cousin the Helmeted
Guineafowl. There are many other birds, such as Green Malkoha and Red-backed
Mannikin. The rare and local Samango Monkey occurs at Cape Vidal along
with the more widespread Vervet Monkey. After birding Cape Vidal and
other parts of St. Lucia, we depart for Bonamanzi Game Reserve. Overnight
Bonamanzi Game Reserve.
Day 7: Bonamanzi Game Reserve and Mkuze Game
Reserve
Morning birding at Bonamanzi usually yields the spectacular Rosy-throated
Longclaw plus the other two less localized longclaw species, and the
recently described Lemon-breasted Canary. A more difficult mega-special
is the almost mystical (to many birders) Short-tailed Pipit. Lesser
Black-winged (Senegal) Lapwing is sometimes found. In case we missed
Southern Banded Snake Eagle at St. Lucia, Bonamanzi is also a good
site for it. Bonamanzi also presents our first chance for another southeast
African coast endemic, the splendid Pink-throated Twinspot. After Bonamanzi,
if time permits, we can head to a site where we usually find Pel’s
Fishing Owl at its daytime roost, before driving to Mkuze Game Reserve.
After dinner at Mkuze, we can embark on a night drive. Mkuze night
drives quite often yield Leopard, and there are chances of seeing several
owl, nightjar, thickknee and courser species. Overnight Mkuze Game
Reserve.
Day 8: Mkuze Game Reserve and Wakkerstroom
An early morning bird walk in the Sand Forest should yield the extremely
localized Neergaard’s Sunbird, African Broadbill with its bizarre
display flight and other tantalizing endemics, plus a phenomenal diversity
of other species. Mkuze is one of the richest sites for birds on the
entire African continent. We also have a reasonable chance of finding
the diminutive Suni Antelope in the Sand Forest. After our early morning
bird walk, we embark on a birding drive in search of a whole host of
exciting species – we bird woodland, savanna and wetland areas.
While looking for birds, there is also an excellent chance of stumbling
across White Rhino and possibly the rarer Black Rhino, Nyala as well
as other mammals that are difficult to find in most other game reserves.
After lunch, we depart for Wakkerstroom, an area of rolling green hills
on the Drakensberg Escarpment - in stark contrast to Mkuze’s
dry woodland. The first bird we focus on finding at Wakkerstroom, in
areas of long grass at relatively low altitude, is Barrow’s (Southern
White-bellied) Korhaan. This is a difficult korhaan because it is small
yet usually lurks in tall grass. We usually find it in the late afternoon
when it ventures into open fields nearby its typical habitat. While
looking for this species, we should also find South African Cliff Swallow,
Southern Ant-eating Chat, Southern Crowned Crane, Blue Crane (South
Africa’s national bird) and many more. Overnight Beautiful Just
B&B,
Wakkerstroom.
Day 9: Wakkerstroom
We spend the day birding the beautiful Wakkerstroom area. This small
town is famed for being the best site on earth for the extremely localized
Rudd’s Lark as well as Botha’s Lark. We also usually find
the endemic Pink-billed Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Eastern Long-billed
Lark and Spike-heeled Lark. Blue Korhaan is common and conspicuous,
and Denham’s Bustard is also usually obvious. Jackal Buzzard,
Bush Blackcap, Red-throated Wryneck, Grass Owl, Marsh Owl and many
other fine birds are also possible. Overnight Beautiful Just B&B,
Wakkerstroom.
Day
10: Kruger National Park
After some final early morning birding around Wakkerstroom, we head
for one of Africa’s greatest game parks, the Kruger National
Park! This park has a staggering bird diversity, and we are bound to
find multiples of each of the following groups: hornbills, barbets,
rollers, bee-eaters, kingfishers, cuckoos, storks, eagles (including
the amazing Bateleur), vultures, owls, weavers (including Red-headed
Weaver), turacos and many others. As a by-product of our marked focus
on birding, we should also encounter elephant, lion, giraffe, buffalo,
a plethora of antelope species, hippopotamus, crocodile, and many small
mammals, such as mongooses, etc. We will, however, require much luck
for leopard or cheetah. Overnight Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, Kruger
National Park.
Day 11: Kruger National Park
We spend a full day birding the rivers, riverine forests, woodlands
and savannas of this pristine and huge African wilderness area. Overnight
Satara Rest Camp, Kruger National Park.
Day 12: Kruger and the escarpment
After a final morning of birding in Kruger, we depart for the escarpment.
Here, we will look for one of Africa’s rarest birds, the small
but powerful and extremely fast Taita Falcon. This was only recently
discovered as a breeding bird in South Africa, but this site is probably
the most reliable place on earth to find this species at present. As
usual, we may find all sorts of other birds, including Mocking Cliff
Chat, Lanner Falcon and Cape Griffon Vulture. Overnight Trackers Guest
Farm.
Day
13: Genius Loci Game Ranch
After spending the night near the Taita Falcon site, we head inland
to Zaagkuilsdrift Road. En route, we may find Gurney’s Sugarbird,
Malachite Sunbird, Secretarybird, Yellow-breasted Pipit and others.
Overnight Genius Loci Game Ranch.
Day 14: Genius Loci Game Ranch and
transfer to Johannesburg airport
Genius Loci is situated about 1.5 hours’ drive from Johannesburg
International Airport. We bird here and along the nearby Zaagkuilsdrift
Road in the morning until we need to leave for the airport (depending
on the time of flights). The Zaagkuilsdift Road, like all the other
sites we have visited, has a phenomenal bird diversity, but there are
many birds here not yet encountered. Many of the birds in this area
are characteristic of the Kalahari, and include such spectacular species
as Crimson-breasted Shrike, Southern Pied Babbler, Violet-eared Waxbill,
Black-cheeked Waxbill. Kalahari Robin, White-throated Robin, Northern
Black Korhaan, several bee-eater species (sometimes including Carmine
and Blue-cheeked), Temmink’s Courser, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark,
Red-headed Finch and Black Egret are just a few of the species we may
find. We can shower at the B&B, etc. before heading to the airport
to catch international flight home.
What
to expect:
South
Africa is a land of contrasts, from semi-deserts to grasslands, mountains
and forests, and we experience
two
fabulous areas
in the country, the stunning
Cape and superb Kruger National Park. September is
when seasons change, therefore the climate should
vary from
warm days
to cool nights,
with the western Cape
possibly cold, depending upon the passage of fronts.
Rain is possible. Expect temperature ranges from
lows in the
30s (5
Celsius) to highs
in the 90s (30
Celsius). Dress in layers, with a warm sweater or
jacket for cooler weather, as South Africa’s
spring climate is variable and conditions often change
markedly during a single day so layers can be put on
and discarded.
Good walking shoes
or light boots
should suffice at most locations. Most walking is largely
on fairly level, even ground, with a couple of short
stretches
of steeper, rockier
inclines. We stay
in good quality accommodations, often in excellent
birding localities. We will have game drives in Kruger,
which will
maximize our chances
for viewing wildlife,
especially large mammals. Days will usually start at
first light, to catch activity in the morning before
the day warms
up and activity
slows down. On most days,
there will be a pre-breakfast optional walk, and we
will have night game drives in the national park for
owls and other nightlife.
Most
days will typically find
us starting at dawn, continuing to noon, perhaps having
a siesta before heading out again in the afternoon,
and finishing at
dusk, for a leisurely
dinner during
which we review what we have seen and discuss plans
for the next day. Needless to say, there will be innumerable
splendid
photographic opportunities
- bring
lots of film and memory cards!!
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