The province of Mpumalanga is located in the north eastern region of South Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique and Swaziland. The climate and topography vary from cool highveld grasslands through the escarpment to the sub-tropical lowveld plains of the Kruger National Park.
Mpumalanga, means “the place of the rising sun” and includes the escaqrpment areas south of the Blyde River Canyon, the Lowveld areas south of the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park and the eastern Highveld and grassland areas of Wakkerstroom and Chrissiesmeer.
Most areas are easily accessible on your own, although it is highly recommended that you use a community bird guide when going to areas such as Wakkerstroom or Kaapsehoop. By using a community bird guide you will have access to a lot of local knowledge and the haunts of the more unusual birds, thus the chances of seeing specials in an area are certainly much higher.
Mpumalanga boasts a huge variety of threatened, endemic and highly sought after species from Blue Swallow, Rudd’s and Botha’s Lark, Wattled Crane and Southern Bald Ibis to Martial Eagle, Narina Trogon, Bush Blackcap and Orange Ground Thrush.
The Highveld Plateau is dominated by grasslands and is largely devoid of native trees except along some rivers and sheltered hillsides. Extends across eastern Mpumalanga at an altitude of between 1400m and 1800m ASL. In its natural state, this habitat is dominated by Themeda triandra, with many other grass species including Eragrostis, Heteropogon and Cymbopogon.
Characteristic birds of this habitat include Long-tailed Widowbird, Southern Red Bishop, Cape Longclaw, Black-shouldered Kite, Blue Crane and Rufous-naped Lark. Prized endemics such as Rudd’s Lard, Botha’s Lark and Yellow-breasted Pipit occur in pristine pockets of this habitat.
Highveld Wetlands and Rivers
The Highveld plateau is sprinkled with pan systems which fill up during the wet summer season and typically hold water into winter. These ephemeral wetlands are a magnet for waterfowl, with ducks, geese, herons, cormorants and others often in abundance. Blue, Grey Crowned and Wattled Cranes breed in these natural wetlands, while plovers and migratory sandpipers forage on mudflats.
The Highlands & Wetlands Birding Route includes Wakkerstroom, Chrissiesmeer and Dullstroom.
This area boasts many lakes and pans located within a 20 km radius of the village. This area contains extensive interconnected and interdependent wetlands and peat lands. All birding is done from the roadside and specials include Blue Crane, Red-winged Francolin, Chestnut-banded Plover, Hottentot Teal, Cape Shoveler and Greater and Lesser Flamingo. In summer, migratory waders can occur in large numbers with Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Common Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper feeding alongside resident Black-winged Stilt.
Directions
From Johannesburg, travel on the N4 towards Machadodorp and take the R33 to Carolina. 4km out of Carolina, turn to the right and travel for 20km to Chrissiesmeer.
Additional Information
Open for day visitors and accommodation facilities are available.
For more information contact Central Reservations.
Contact
Matotoland Eco Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)17 847 0008
The Wakkerstroom area is famous among birders as it is the easiest place to find three endemic species restricted to South Africa’s high altitude grasslands – Rudd’s Lark, Botha’s Lark and Yellow-breasted Pipit. Other specials include Blue Korhaan, Denham’s Bustard, Ground Woodpecker, Southern Bald Ibis, African Marsh-Harrier, Black-crowned Night-heron and Bush Blackcap. It is also an Important Bird Area. Most birding can be done from the roadside.
Bird hides (Please visit the Bird Hide page for a description on the grading of the accessibility of the different Bird Hides).
There are four bird hides (Grade 4) situated around the wetland. There are two hides are located on the Northern side of the wetland, namely the Clive Beck Hide and the WOW (Wings over Wetlands) Hide. From the Clive Beck Memorial Hide, look out for Black-crowned Night-heron, African Snipe, African Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron and African Rail. Red-chested Flufftail is often heard from the Sasol Flufftail Hide and it is a good spot to find roosting Grey Crowned Crane.
The other two bird hides are located on the Western side of the wetland, namely the Crane Hide and Iain Drummond Memorial Hide. Species encountered at the Crane Hide include Blue Korhaan, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Long-tailed Widowbird, Egyptian and Spur-winged Goose. The 500m path running through the grassland connecting the Flufftail and Crane Hides is good for both Grass and Marsh Owl, The lain Drummond Hide is good for sighting of African Marsh-harrier. The Amersfoort road bridge can be very rewarding with species such as Little Bittern, African Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Common Moorhen and Purple Heron.
Habitats range from open grassland to mistbelt forest, gorges and cliffs, with extensive wetland habitat in the form of vleis, pans and dams.
Directions
From Johannesburg take the N17 to (Springs) to Leandra. At the T-junction (Leandra on your left) turn right towards Standerton on the R50 and travel for 76tkm to Standerton. AT Standerton, take the R23 to Volksrust (80km) and then the R543 to Wakkerstroom (27km).
From Durban, take the N3 to Estcourt. Take the N11 to Ladysmith (11km from the N3 offramp). Travel through Ladysmith and head for Newcastle along the N11 (80km) and continue to Volksrust (55km). Pass through Volkrust and take the R543 to Wakkerstroom (27km).
Contact
Daphne Pyott
Tel: +27 (0)17 730 0433
Mobile: +27 (0)71 718 1566
E-mail: wakkerstroom@birdlife.org.za
With a range of wetland types including permanent and seasonal marshes and streams, peatlands and springs situated in an area of high altitude grassland close to Dullstroom, the reserve contains more than thirty wetlands in near-pristine state. Specials include Wattled Crane, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Sentinal Rock-Thrush, Ground Woodpecker and Southern Bald Ibis. During summer, Long-tailed Widowbird, Southern Red Bishop, Yellow-crowned Bishop and Yellow Bishop can be seen in their spectacular breeding dress. Raptors such as Jackal Buzzard, Kestrel and African Marsh Harrier can be seen in the grasslands, while African Grass-owl and Marsh Owl emerge to hunt after dark.
Directions
From Dullstroom, travel for 6km on the R540 towards Lydenburg. Turn left onto a gravel road and proceed for 8km to the reserve.
Contact
Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Association
Tel: +27 (0)13 254 0799
The Escarpment Foothills is a region of hills, valleys and boulder outcrops, with pockets of forest, thicket and broad-leaved woodlands. Fast flowing rivers and waterfalls are a feature during the wet season. Again, timber and agriculture (including sub-tropical fruit orchards) have transformed much of this landscape. Small patches of evergreen forest exist in sheltered ravines and kloofs in the eastern escarpment. Closed-canopy forest includes trees such as Podocarpus, Curtisia, Nuxia and Trichocladus, where ferns and mosses are abundant in the shady understorey.
Rainfall typically exceeds 1100mm per annum, with additional moisture in the form of regular mists. Fire and frost prevents this forest from extending into adjacent grassland. Characteristic birds include Chorister Robin-Chat, Olive Woodpecker, Cape Batis, Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon and African Crowned-eagle.
The Greater Panorama Birding Route, includes the Lydenburg, Sabie, Graskop, Pilgrims Rest and Kaapsehoop areas.
Kaapsehoop, situated within the Mpumalanga Escarpment, is a picturesque village surrounded by many marked walks and trails. Habitats range from montane grassland and rocky outcrops to montane forest patches.
The Kaapsehoop area offers protection to the globally threatened Blue Swallow and is designated as an Important Bird Area. Other specials include Cape Grassbird, Olive Woodpecker, Knysna Turaco, Cape Rock-thrush, Chorister Robin-chat, Red-throated Wryneck and Drakensberg Prinia.
Directions
On the N4 from Pretoria/Johannesburg, turn right at Sappi Ngodwana Mill to Kaapsehoop. From Nelspruit on the N4, turn left at the Formula 1 Hotel on the Old Airport Road and continue straight for 27 km, climbin steadily up the mountain.
Additional Info
Access to the Blue Swallow Heritage Site is by arrangement only with the Community Bird Guides.
Contact
Enos Zulu
Mobile: +27 (0)72 331 1197
Justice Masango
Mobile: +27 (0)72 830 0931
The Blyde River Canyon is the world’s third largest canyon and offers spectacular scenery with viewsites and rock formations overlooking the Lowveld with dramatic towering cliffs, plateau grasslands, broadleaved woodland, riverine thicket and Afromontane forest.
The Three Rondavels lookout site is dominated by montane grassland which hosts a number of high altitude species. These include Wing-snapping Cisticola, Wailing Cisticola, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Borad-tailed Warbler, Croaking Cisticola, Drakenberg Prinia, Cape Rock-thrush, Buff-streaked Chat, Familiar Chat and Mocking Cliff-chat. In addition, the lookout is a good area to look out for raptors, including Cape Vulture, Verreaux’s Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Lanner and Peregrine Falcons.
Directions
The canyon can be accessed from the south via the R532 through Sabie and Graskop or from the north via the R36 Lydenburg/Ohrigstad Road. Drive past the access gate and on towards the parking area.
Additional Information
From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long gorge. A public road runs along the long western boundary and there is easy access to beauty spots like The Pinnacle, God’s Window with its kloof-framed view of the Lowveld, Bourke’s Luck, Potholes and a lookout point pointing on The Three Rondavels.
Contact
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Association
Tel: +27 (0)13 759 5432.
God’s Window is known for its amazing views from the top of the Drakensberg escarpment over the Lowveld. On a clear day it is possible to see the Kruger National Park onto the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Mozambique.
Besides the wonderful views there is a small patch of afro montane mist belt forest which receives a very high precipitation. The forest has a high diversity of flowering plants that in turn attract a variety of different bird species. Of the nectar-feeders you can find Gurney’s Sugarbird, Greater Double-collared-, Southern Double-collared-, Collared- and Malachite Sunbirds. You ca also find Spectacled Weaver, Cape Canary and Sombre Greenbul. The lookout point is a fantastic spot to watch for raptors especially in the mid-morning as they start to make use of thermals.
The spot is well worthwhile visiting for an hour or two but can get quite busy during the weekends. It is advisable to come on a weekday or to visit early in the morning. There are some stepped paths laid out that lead through the forest and past the various viewpoints.
Directions
From Graskop, travel on the R532 towards Blyde River Canyon. Turn onto the R534 and there is a sign on the right after a few kilometers to the parking lot at God’s Window.
Mount Sheba is situated in the mountains above Pilgrim’s Rest amongst tall, dense afromontane forest, with the upper slopes and plateau predominantly open grassland. The area offers a good selection of typical escarpment species and a number of highly localized specials.
These include African Crowned Eagle, Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon, Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Orange Ground-thrush, White-starred Robin, Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler, Olive Bush-shrike and Southern Tchagra.
Directions
From Johannesburg travel to Witbank and continue to the Belfast turn-off; take the R33/R540 through Belfast, Dullstroom and Lydenburg. In lydenburg, take the R36 Ohrigstad/Tzaneen road and drive for about 30 km to the Pilgrim’s Rest turn-off (R533) on the right. Take this road up Robber’s Pass, the Mount Sheba turn-off being on the right after 14 km.
Additional Information
Mount Sheba is a private nature reserve. If you are only visiting for the day, please have the courtesy to stop in at reception and let them know you will be walking on their trails.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)13 768 1241
Misty Mountains is a 280 ha South African Natural Heritage Site perched at an altitude of 1650m ASL in a malaria-free area. This high-altitude site lies within the mistbelt and consists of undulating grassland slopes, mountain thornveld, kloofs and rocky outcrops. Misty Mountain is uniquely set in mountainous countryside with fantastic, broad panoramic vistas offering sighting of Bush Blackcap, Knysna Turaco, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Drakensberg Prinia, Wailing Cisticola and Barratt’s Warbler.
Directions
Take the N4 from Johannesburg/Pretoria. Turn left off the N4 at Belfast. Take the R540 from Belfast through Dullstroom to Lydenburg. From Lydenburg, take the R37 to Sabie Travel for 31 km, Misty Mountain is on the right hand side of the road.
Additional Information
Please have the courtesy to stop in at reception and let them know you will be walking on their trails.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)13 764 3377
A short (200m) walk through an indigenous forest patch takes you to the bottom of the 68m waterfall which is a declared National Monument. Specials include Orange Ground-thrush, Knysna Turaco, Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Forest Canary.
Directions
Situated 9km from the town of Sabie, follow the signs along the Old Lydenburg Road to Lone Creek Falls.
This 2200ha reserve offers a diverse combination of habitats including thornveld and bushveld on the low-lying areas, and montane grassland on hillsides and plateaus with protea woodland at higher altitudes. Small isolated pockets of montane forest are present in the ravines.
Species to look out for include Gurney’s Sugarbird, Malachite Sunbird, Denham’s Bustard, Buff-streaked Chat, Drakensberg Prinia, Cape Grassbird, Red-winged Francolin and Sentinel Rock-thrush.
Directions
Travel for 2.9km from Lydenburg on the R37 towards Sabie (Long Tom Pass). The reserve is located on the left.
Additional Information
The reserve is open daily and an entrance fee of R10 per vehicle is payable at the gate.
Contact
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency
Tel: +27 (0)13 235 2213
The Lowveld is a more or less flat savanna of mixed bushveld. Plant communities differ in relation to underlying soil types and average rainfall, with acacia woodland and broad-leaved woodland dominating in places. Sugarcane and citrus orchards occupy much of the area south of the Crocodile River, but most of this region is conserved within the Kruger National Park and adjacent private reserves.
Sour Lowveld Bushveld
An open tree savanna, characterized by widely-spaced Acacia sieberiana, Pterocarpus anglolensis and Parinari curatellifolia in tall grassland, extends along the foothills of the escarpment at an altitude between 550 and 800m ASL. Summer rainfall varies from 600 to 1000mm, with summer temperatures rising into the high thirties. Winter frosts are confined to drainage lines, but fires are frequent. Characteristic birds include Purple-crested Turaco, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Tambourine Dove, Bar-throated Apalis and Long-crested Eagle.
Mixed Lowveld Bushveld
Flat to undulating land in the southern Kruger National Park at altitudes from 170 to 500m ASL. Flat plains with heavier soils are dominated by open tree savannah, with Acacia nigrescens, Combretum imberbe, Sclerocarya birrea and Spirotachys Africana among common trees. Denser woodland dominated by various Combretum species occur on sandy soild of hill crests. Summer rainfall varies from 450 to 600mm per annum, with temperatures rising to 40°C. Winter bushfires are common, but this is a frost-free area. Characteristic birds include Bateleur, Southern Ground Hornbill, Crested Francolin, African Scops-owl, Lilac-breasted Roller and White-crested Helmet-shrike.
The Lowveld Birding Route, which includes the Hazyview, Barberton, Nelspruit and Malelane areas as well as the southern Kruger National Park.
The Nelspruit Nature Reserve offers riverine bush, woodland and reedbeds in a natural setting within Nelspruit. There are three walking trails available where you can find species such as Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Southern Boubou, Pruple-crested Turaco, Thick-billed Weaver, Golden Weaver and Olive Bush-shrike. Red-backed Mannikin and Green Twinspot are resident, but oten hard to locate. African Goshawk often calls overhead during early mornings, while African Wood-Owl and Freckled Nightjar are vocal after dark.
Habitat: riverine bush, woodland and vlei areas
Directions
From Nelspruit, take the Barberton Road (R40). Turn left into Piet Retief Street, right into Cilliers Street and left into Andries Pretorius Street. Parkat the Trim Prk and follow the number of footpaths in the area.
Additional Information
The Reserve is open at all hours from the Trim Park side.
Located in Nelspruit with rugged, rocky river scenery, the 159ha gardens lie in Sour Lowveld Bushveld with typical riverine forest along the river of the Crocodile and Nels Rivers. A variety of species can be found in the gardens, including African Green-Pigeon, African Finfoot, African Black Duck, Tambourine Dove, White-browed Robin-chat, Red-capped Robin-chat, Collared Sunbird, Spectacled Weaver, Yellow-breasted Apalis and Orange-breasted Bush-shrike. The call of the Purple-crested Turaco echoes through the lush gardens.
Directions
Travel from Nelspruit towards White River. After crossing the Crocodile River, turn right at the second set of traffic lights and left at the small traffic circle to access the new gate.
Additional Information
The gardens are open daily. Entrance fee is R15.00 per adult and R5.00 per child or pensioner. Members of the Botanical Society have free entrance, on proof of membership.
Picnic facilities and restaurant are available.
Contact
Tel: +27 (0)13 752 5531
Situated on the banks of the picturesque Sabie River, Hazyview is just a short hop to the Phabeni, Numbi and Kruger gates into the Kruger National Park. Tucked away in the Sabie River Valley among indigenous forests in quiet settings with good walks and abundant birdlife is a variety of accommodation establishments including hotels, lodges, guest houses, bed and breakfast and self-catering suites. Some of the specials include Pygmy Goose, African Finfoot, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike, Half-collared Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle and Purple-crested Turaco.
Directions
From Johannesburg, take the N12 to Witbank. The N12 joins the N4 at Witbank. Continue on the N4 past Belfast and the Machado Toll Plaza. Approximately 1km after the Toll Plaza, the N4 splits. Keep left and follow the signs that say N4 via Schoemanskloof/R36 Lydenburg and travel to Nelspruit. When entering Nelspruit, carry on past the first and second set of traffic lights. Turn left at the third set of traffic lights onto the R40 Road. Proceed to White River. Upon entering White River, turn Left at the first traffic light and 200m further is the next traffic light, turn right. Pass through the first traffic light. At the second traffic light, the road reconnects with the R40. Turn left and proceed on towards Hazyview.
Contact
For information about birding trails, contact Keith Howie at the Sabi River Sun Lifestyle Resort.
Keith Howie
Mobile: +27(0)83 282 3400
This 18,000ha private reserve offers excellent birding in a variety of habitats, from grassland to montane forest to bushveld with specials such as Buff-streaked Chat, Long-billed Pipit and Drakensberg Prinia at higher altitudes, Narina Trogon, Eastern Nicator and Gorgeous Bush-shrike in forested ravinces, and Half-collared Kingfisher in fast-flowing streams.
Additional Information
Contact
Marjorie Nuns
Tel: +27 (0)13 712 7449
The reserve consists of 49,000ha of bushveld and grassland on the Barberton Mountain slopes near the Swaziland border. This spectacular landscape is a diverse tapestry of rolling hillsides, forest ravines and open plains and specials include African Black Duck, African Finfoot, Shelley’s Francolin, Red-winged Francolin, Barrow’s Korhaan, Broad-tailed Warbler, Drakensberg Prinia and Southern Tchagra. Birds of prey are well represented with African Crowned Eagle, African Hawk-eagle, Brown Snake-eagle and Secretarybird among the larger raptors
Directions
From the N4 toll road, travel past Badplaas on the R541.
Contact
Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Association
Tel: +27 (0)13 759 5432
Shoemanskloof is a somewhat undiscovered location, tucked away in Mpumalanga. It is the ideal location to unwind and relax amidst the peace and tranquility of stunning scenery and picturesque mountains. The Schoemanskloof Valley boast a diverse range of interesting birds. Some of the specials include African Finfoot, Narina Trogon, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike, Giant Kingfisher, Long-crested Eagle, Half-collared Kingfisher, Tambourine Dove, Purple-crested and Knysna Turaco.
Directions
From Johannesburg, take the N12 to Witbank. The N12 joins the N4 at Witbank. Continue on the N4 past Belfast and the Machado Toll Plaza. Approximately 1km after the Toll Plaza, the N4 splits. Keep left and follow the signs that say N4 via Schoemanskloof/R36 Lydenburg.
From Nelspruit, take the N4 to Johannesburg. After about 30km, the road splits. Turn right and follow the signs ‘N4 Schoemanskloof’
Contact
For some good birding trails, contact Paul Drews at Old Joe’s Kaia (a ‘Birder Friendly Establishment’)
Tel: +27(0)13 733 3045
Website: www.oldjoes.co.za
The Kruger National Park covers 19,685km and is the tenth largest game reserve in the world. It has 3000km of road, 23 rest camps and a host of excellent picnic sites, walking trails, 4×4 routes, hides and massive dams. The big game viewing in Kruger rival that of any reserve in Africa with large elephant, buffalo and lion populations being relatively easily seen. Every year over a million visitors tally up in the region of 520 bird species.
Birding is best in the summer months (November to March) with the arrival of summer migrants but a remarkable amount of birds can be seen in the winter months (May to July). A birding trip to Kurger National Prk should be on the agenda of any birder in South Africa.
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Berg-en-Dal is situated on the Matjulu watercourse with a view of undulating hills and sightings of Brown Snake-eagle and African Hawk-eagle. Special care has been taken to preserve the natural vegetation in the camp, with the wheelchair-friendly Rhino Walking Trail following the perimeter of the camp.
Look out for White-browed Robin-chat, Amethyst Sunbird, Grey Tit-flycatcher and African Green-pigeon. Other specials in the area include Shelley’s Francolin, Stierlings Wren-warbler, Croaking Cisticola and African Cuckoo Hawk.
The small dam in front of the restaurant and shop is a good place to see African Fish-eagle, Pied Kingfisher and African Darter. In summer African Pygmy and Woodland Kingfishers join the resident Striped and Brown-hooded Kingfishers.
Malelane Satellite Camp can be found on the southern border of the Kruger National Park. It has the added benefit of being a very small camp, with fewer guests than found in the main camps, making a more intimate bush experience.
Directions
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Additional Information
Contact
SANPARKS Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
E-mail: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: www.sanparks.org
Contact
For some good birding trails, contact Paul Drews at Old Joe’s Kaia (a ‘Birder Friendly Establishment’)
Tel: +27(0)13 733 3045
Website: www.oldjoes.co.za
Look out for African Black Duck from the bridge over the Crocodile River and Black-throated Wattle-eye in the evergreen riverine trees. In the open savannah, look out for Burnt-necked Eremomela and Burchell’s Starling, with Great Spotted Cuckoo and Dusky Lark often present during the summer. Other specials include Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and Black-bellied Starling.
Directions
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Additional Information
Contact
SANPARKS Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
E-mail: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: www.sanparks.org
Lower Sabie graces the banks of the Sabie River, one of the few perennial rivers to flow through the Kruger National Park. The viewing deck overlooking the river is a good lookout point for Goliath Heron, Green-0backed Heron, Great Reed Warbler and the rare Little Bittern. In this rest camp, the trees provides habitat for Village Weaver, Lesser Masked-weaver and Diderick Cuckoo.
Sunset Dam is half a kilometer from Lower Sabie on the main road to Skukuza. Marabou Stork, Black Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Yellow-billed Stork and African Openbill favor the dam area. Small warblers such as Long-billed Crombec, Yellow-breasted Eremomela and Green-backed Camaroptera favor tangled thickets on the camp fringes.
Directions
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Additional Information
Contact
SANPARKS Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
E-mail: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: www.sanparks.org
Some 3,500 million years ago, molten rock forced its way through the earth’s crust and solidified to form the spectacular granite outcrops where Pretoriuskop Rest Camp is now nestled in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. The impressive granite dome known as “Shabeni Hill” is not far from the camp where one may spot a Lizard Buzzard. The dense thickets at the base of the dome are good for Southern Boubou, Brown-crowned Tchagra and Mocking Cliff-chat, as well as the more easily heard than seen Gorgeous Bush-shrike and Grey-headed Bush-shrike. The grasslands areas attract species such as Flappet Lark, Neddicky, Red-billed Firefinch and Streaky-headed Seedeater.
Camp specials around the pool area include Brown-headed Parrot, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Black-backed Piffback, Red-headed Weaver, Blue Waxbill and Arrow-marked Babbler. Woodland Kingfisher and Violet-backed Starling are conspicuous summer visitors that breed in and around the camp.
Directions
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Additional Information
Contact
SANPARKS Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
E-mail: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: www.sanparks.org
Skukuza is the Kruger National Park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River. The Sycamore Figs along the river provide excellent birding, attracting African Green-pigeon, Purple-crested Turaco and Brown-headed Parrot when in fruit.
The reed banks visible from the walkway are good for sightings of Half-collared Kingfisher, Red-faced Cisticola and both Red-backed and Bronze Mannikin. Seven species of flycatcher occur in the camp: Grey Tit-flycatcher, African Paradise-flycatcher, Southern Black Flycatcher, African Dusky Flycatcher (winter vagrant), Spotted Flycatcher (summer migrant), Ashy Flycatcher and Pale Flycatcher.
In winter, flowering aloes attract Scarlet-chested, White-bellied and Marico Sunbirds, as well as Black-headed Oriole and various weavers. A few kilometers to the west, on the Paul Kruger Gate road, is the turn off to the Lake Panic Bird Hide. This can be a very rewarding site, with Malachite Kingfisher, Wire-tailed Swallow, Black Crake and Thick-billed Weaver among the many species providing photographic opportunities. Tall riverine woodland along the Sabie and Sand rivers is one of the best places in South Africa to search for the rare Thick-billed Cuckoo during the summer.
Directions
The southern camps can be accessed through the gates at Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni and Paul Kruger.
Additional Information
Contact
SANPARKS Central Reservations
Tel: +27 (0)12 428 9111
E-mail: reservations@sanparks.org
Website: www.sanparks.org
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