Birding Safaris

African Barred Owlet - South African Lowveld. 

During 2018 we kept a rough list of every species of bird seen on our safaris through several African countries. Although we didn’t twitch actively, in other words, seriously attempted to run after as many species as possible we did manage to record no less than 425 bird species. Birding is a most rewarding past time and anyone who have an interest in them would know that they make the bush come alive. Indeed, birders are never bored on safari.  There is great reward in identifying a cryptic species for the first time or catching up with a rare or seldom seen vagrant. Similarly, getting a great photograph or watching birds interacting around the feeding table is equally satisfying. Our approach to birding though is a combination of all of this and during the course of 2018 we added a few new species to our personal lists while spending quality time observing and photographing great bird behavior. Amongst all of these highlights are the time spent with nesting African Barred Owlets and these observation are scheduled to be published in a leading bird magazine sometime in the near future. Keep a lookout for it.

Here are some of our favorite destinations:

The Southern Kalahari. This semi desert region is known for its abundance of raptors of all shapes and forms as well as host of desert adapted birds.  A morning spent at a waterhole will reveal a host of seed eaters ranging from finches to sandgrouse coming in to quench their thirst. Falcons and eagles fall in tow launching attacks on the drinking flocks.

Bateleur taking off after quenching its thirst at a Kalahari waterhole. 

Male Burchell's Sandgrouse taking off with water drenched breast. 

Mariepkop at 200 meters above sea level it rises 1500 meters above the rest of the landscape. 

Mariepskop Mountain on the eastern Blyde River Canyon where one can catch up with seldom seen forest species. There are few other places where one can access three biomes (moist savannah, tropical forest and mountain heathland or Fynbos) within an easy hours drive.

Rare treat when a Golden-rumped Tinkerbird comes in for a closer view 

Female Narina Trogon - unusual to find this species out in the open like this. 

African Wood Owl.

The Pafuri woodlands along the Levhuvhu river.

Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park. The Kruger itself with a staggering 550 + recorded species, is a remarkable birding destination in ots own right but its the far north where the birds peak. Many species reach the limit of their distribution and the great variety of unique vegetation creates habitat for numerous species not easily encountered elsewhere.

Juvenile Pygmy Kingfisher - Pafuri.

Striated Heron chicks - South Africa. 

Orange breasted Pytilia - Pafuri. 

Uganda’s Albertine Rift straddling western Uganda and Rwanda is a hotspot of endemism. Here more than 40 species of birds occur that is found nowhere else on the planet. While the forest habitat makes it difficult to locate birds, the reward is high.

Abyssinian Ground-hornbill. 

The holy Grail of the wetlands. The unique and enigmatic Shoebill.

Hueglin's Francolin. 

Female brown-throated Wattle-eye.

The Okavango Delta – one of the worlds most pristine wetlands. Abundance, visibility and rarity of species works together and makes it clear why this is a globally protected wetland.

Okavango Mokoro trip.

Okavango Special - Slaty Egret

Dickinson's Kestrel

Little Sparrowhawk. 

Lizzard Buzzard. 

Pafuri Birding Safari

A Verraux's Eagle-owl in in one of the Fever-tree Forests. 

Pafuri, together with the Kalahari ( More here and here) is South Africa’s wildest wilderness areas. Tucked away between the lush Levuvhu and Limpopo rivers in Kruger’s northern most reaches it is a land rich in history and legend. It is here where the Levuvhu and Limpopo rivers join and where three countries, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe meet. In years gone by a band of ivory hunters, poachers, traders and other outcasts made their homes in this remote spot aptly named Crookes Corner.  Strategically this area provided the perfect hideout from the authorities. When officials from the respective countries came to arrest any of the bandits, they conveniently jumped the border out of the jurisdiction of the said official.

Not exactly camping in a pup tent!!! The very luxurious tents at Pafuri Camp. 

Today the exclusive Makuleke concession, one of South Africa’s most successful examples of land restitution where land was returned to the original owners is managed as an exclusive eco-tourism concession by South African National Parks, the land owners and private stake holders.  Low volume tourism ensures that the wild frontier ambiance is still tangible amongst the giant Baobabs, stunning gorges and Kipling’s Limpopo River.  Our quarry this time wasn’t ivory bearing elephant though but something much smaller. Birds!!

Fine Art photographer Oliver Barnett in action. Have a look at his stunning and unconventional photography at: http://oliverbarnett.co.za/

Because of the diverse habitats and vast array of vegetation types, each with its distinct suite of bird species, Pafuri is a must-do destination for any serious birdwatcher visiting Southern Africa. My initial fear of overselling the place soon proved misplaced as within the first few minutes of our first game drive it felt like birds were in total overabundance, both in numbers and species!  We didn’t get halfway to where we were planning to have our sundowners as we had to stop regularly to identify the multitudes of species and before we reached the camp again our total species list were well over 50 already.

En-route to meeting our guests, a quick stop at Punda Maria restcamp produced an Orange-winged Pytilia, a very rare sighting in South Africa.

One is not limited to Kruger Park gate times and as a result can get to see what happens after dark. Over a few days various species of owls, coursers and nightjars were gradually added to the list bringing it up to a final total of 162 species seen!

Spotted Eagle-owl on the hunt. Not being limited to gate times allows guests to seek out the areas nocturnal inhabitants.

Bird species that stood out was Eurasian Golden Oriole which seemed like flocks just arrived prior to dispersal on the day of our arrival, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Lemon-breasted Canary,  European Hobby and Lanner Falcons, Dwarf Bittern,  Three banded Courser and African Wood Owl. Sadly Pell’s fishing Owl eluded us.  At one point, thousands of winged termites were emerging setting the stage for one of natures wildlife spectacles. Everything from Black-backed Jackals to scorpions were feeding on them.  Hundreds of Amur Falcons could be seen hawking them from the sky while a rock monitor scooped up a few termites as well as a scorpion!!

A very obliging juvenile African Pygmy Kingfisher. 

We recorded two firefinches in the area, Jameson's and this Red-billed Firefinch. Interestingly both of their brood parasites, the Village and Purple Indigobirds were also recorded. 

A very interesting find. Look at the color ring on this Lessed Spotted Eagles left leg. Turns out that this individual comes all the way from Poland!!!

It wasn’t only birds though and in addition to herds of buffalo and small breeding groups of elephant we also encountered a clan of Spotted Hyena’s in the fever tree forest, several Large-spotted Genets  (some of which were in camp), both Four-toed and Rock Elephant-shrews, Nyala, Kudu and a host of other antelope, a Giraffe (which I was forced to stop at!) as well as Hippopotamus and Nile Crocodile.

Referred to as a Cat-eyed snake the beautiful and harmless Marbled Tree-snake. 

Pafuri Camp is situated on the Levuvhu river providing ample opportunities to view the comings and going of a host of wildlife. The riparian forest is never quiet and guests can explore the woodlands at camp from the safety of an elevated walkway that stretches for more than a kilometer along the edge of the forest.  Alternatively a most welcome pool overlooking the river provides a more sedate wildlife viewing post.

Large spotted Genet in the riverine forest. 

Africa Unlocked provides premium private safaris in Pafuri, an area ideal for anyone looking for a wild and non-commercialized safari experience. Birdwatchers and nature photographers will enjoy this un-spoilt region tremendously while adventure seeking families are guaranteed of a most exciting time. Should you wish to get more information on this region do not hesitate to contact us.

One of the most dramatic sundowner spots at Lanner Gorge. 

Next stop, Phinda. All ground handling and logistics were arranged by Africa Unlocked.  

Safari in style. Next stop Phinda.