Highlights
South Africa is one of the world’s top birding destinations, with over 850 recorded species across a huge variety of habitats—from deserts to wetlands to subtropical forests. Exceptional endemism (especially in the Cape and Drakensberg.
Easy infrastructure (roads, parks, guides).
Mix of big game + birding in places like Kruger. Strong conservation network.
African Scops Owl
Key Bird Species and Families
Top Birds
- Secretarybird
- Kori Bustard
- Southern Ground Hornbill
- Cape Sugarbird
- Drakensberg Rockjumper
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- African Fish Eagle
- Malachite Kingfisher
- African Penguin
- Bearded Vulture
- Crimson-breasted Shrike
- Purple-crested Turaco
- Narina Trogon
- Martial Eagle
- Bateleur
- Saddle-billed Stork
Black-bellied Bustard
Bateleur
Top Mammals
African Elephant. African Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, White and Black Rhinoceros, South African Fur Seal, Blesbok (Bontebok/pygargus subspecies), Mountain Zebra(Cape/zebra subspecies), Hartebeest(Red/caama subspecies), Cape Grysbok, Grey Rhebok, Springbok, Chacma Baboon
Best Regions for Birding
- Kruger National Park – One of the planet’s top wildlife parks.
- Magoebaskloof – Stunning Forest beauty and special birds.
- Wakkerstroom- high altitude, grassland birding with many endemics
- Mkuze – Very special park with the Big Five and over 500 bird species.
- Mtunzini – Beautiful coastal village with incredible nearby forests.
- World-famous Cape Town, the “mother city” with the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, a birding gem right in the heart of the city
- Boulders Beach Penguin colony.
- Cape Point Nature Reserve-Dramatic cliffs teeming with top birds and rare mammals
- Bontebok National Park-Haven for the rare Bontebok, unique plants, and excellent birds
- De Hoop Nature Reserve-Land-and-marine based fauna & flora wonderland
- Tankwa Karoo National Park-remote, desolate, and starkly beautiful, and home to 200 bird species
- West Coast National Park-Lots of water, sand, fynbos, thousands of birds, and great mammals all in one place!
- St Lucia Wetland
Drakensberg
Best Birding Season
October to April.
Pel’s Fishing Owl
Birding Trip Suggestion(s)
An itinerary for Eastern South Africa:
| Day 1 | Start of tour in Johannesburg, birding in Polokwane and Magoebaskloof |
| Day 2 | Magoebaskloof |
| Day 3 | Magoebaskloof to Kruger National Park |
| Day 4-6 | Kruger National Park |
| Day 7 | Kruger National Park to Wakkerstroom |
| Day 8 | Wakkerstroom |
| Day 9 | Wakkerstroom to Mkuze Game Reserve |
| Day 10 | Mkuze Game Reserve |
| Day 11 | Mkuze Game Reserve to Mtunzini (Amatikulu Reserve) |
| Day 12 | Mtunzini (Ongoye and Dlinza forests) |
| Day 13 & 14 | Mtunzini to King Sha |
Retz’s Helmetshrike
Practical Tips
- A good pair of binoculars that you are familiar with is a must. Worth studying up on the birds expected for the trip. Lots of resources are available online
- Bring a good raincoat and hiking shoes for the forest walks. Get walking fit for the trip, one does not need to be Marathon fit, just walking for and practice walking up and down stairs to simulate walking in the forest.
- Wear light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated and carry plenty of water and snacks, especially in remote areas.
- Stick to roads and trails to protect fragile habitats.
Livingstone’s Turaco
Books
Bush Blackcap
Links
- Best of East South Africa Birding Tour – Expert guided Tours
- Western Cape Birding – Small Group Private Tours: Nature Travel Birding
- Home – GoBirding
- (75) Marc Cronje – YouTube
- Home – BirdLife South Africa
- Birds, Birding Trips and Birdwatching Tours in Republic of South Africa – Fat Birder
- http://www.sanparks.org/
Purple-crested Turaco
By Marc Cronje, Nature Travel Birding. Contact data:
- info@naturetravelbirding.com or marc.cronje1991@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naturetravelbirding
- Website: https://naturetravelbirding.com/
Knysna Turaco
“South Africa MAP” by eyeretired is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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