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Dear Mark, I have attached an itinerary that we have just prepared for a UK company. If it appeals to you we can put something similar (or the same) together for Ornifolks. Let us know, and we will do the costing for you. It can also be bracketed to a Western Cape run as a further extension. We can be highly flexible. We think it is a great tour as it covers botanical, birding and mammal interests as well as cultural - and a very real possibility of seeing the Big Five mammals. Best regards Patrick
& Marie Louise Cardwell Avian
Leisure & The Cape Naturalist
SOUTH AFRICA – BIRDING THE BAOBAB TRAIL. The best of Bushveld birding and a chance of viewing the ‘ Big Five ‘ mammals of Africa. ‘ I am going to the great grey-green, greasy
Limpopo River , all set about with fever trees.…’
( Rudyard Kipling ) In the far north of South Africa , in the rain shadow of the densely forested Zoutpansberg mountain range, lies the Baobab country of the arid Limpopo river valley. It is a world of breathtaking scenery and endless vistas over sprawling acacia and broadleaved woodland, studded here and there by mighty baobabs of great age. Here indeed under azure skies is an ancient landscape rich in biological and cultural diversity dating back over primordial time. Within this pristine wilderness we will immerse ourselves for 15 sun filled days as we seek out as many of the 540 different bird species so far recorded to in this environmentally unique and relatively unspoilt corner of Southern Africa. Aside from birding delights on offer we have a real chance of sighting Africa’s Big Five mammals – lion, elephant,rhino, buffalo and leopard - as we traverse across the Limpopo valley from the Kruger Park’s infamous Crook’s Corner in the north east to Poacher’s Corner on the Botswana border. With added luck we may also catch sight of the highly endangered African wild dog and cheetah in the arid scrub of the Limpopo valley. Our route takes us north from Johannesburg International Airport to Limpopo Province in the old Transvaal. Here we will spend time in the forested foothills of the Northern Drakensberg mountain’s before dropping down into the Bushveld for four days in the Kruger National Park. Time of year should bring out the best of birding as the intra-Africa migrants will have returned and breeding activity will be well underway. Our trip takes us from the riverine forests of northern Kruger west along the Limpopo river. Pace is leisurely with ample time to explore the mix of habitats on the way to the legendary kingdom of the Mapungubwe people at the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers. Birding the arid acacia bush and gallery forest along the non-perrenial river systems should produce a number of ‘dry’ country ‘specials’, to add to an already impressive list of accumulated sightings, before looping southwards towards the sheer cliffs of the Zoutpansberg mountains. Views of Cape Griffon and Verreaux’s Eagle and other raptors are what we are after before taking the toll road south to Nylsvlei Nature Reserve. This reserve constitutes one of SA’s finest wetlands and is classified as a World Heritage Site due to the rich biodiversity of the general area. Our last night followed by a mornings birding in the wetland and adjacent woodland brings the tour to close as we head back to Johannesburg International Airport for the evening flight home. Note : A three night extension incorporating the grasslands of the Highveld embracing a number of SA endemics, including the critically endangered Rudd’s and Botha’s larks, is available on request. (Details on page 5). DETAILED ITINERARY MAGOEBASKLOOF /TZANEEN – NIGHTS 1 & 2 Having arrived at Johannesburg on an overnight flight we will transfer directly to Kurisa Moya situated in the Northern Transvaal Escarpment for a two night stay in a spacious and delightfully refurbished farmhouse. Our time will be spent exploring a number of indigenous montane forest patches in search of Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Olive Bush Shrike, Yellow-streaked Bulbul, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Bat Hawk, Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, Knysna Turaco, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Olive Woodpecker, Chorister Robin Chat, Red-capped Robin Chat, Double-collared Sunbird, Green Twinspot and, with luck, Wood Owl and possibly Buff-spotted Flufftail if conditions prove favourable. After breakfast, following a leisurely forest walk, we head for the mining town of Phalaborwa in the Bushveld for an early lunch before entering the Kruger National Park. LETABA / SHINGWEDZI / PUNDA MARIA – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK –NIGHTS 3 – 6. Our drive to Letaba takes us through a cross section of open grassland and heavily wooded drainage lines along non-perennial streams and river- beds to the well shaded safari camp on the Letaba river. The fully enclosed grounds themselves are home to a wide variety of bird species affording us the opportunity of birding on foot in the security of the camp- grounds. Green Pigeon, Purple-crested Turaco, Natal Francolin, Kurrichane Thrush, Mourning Dove and Red-billed Firefinch are common while Scop’s Owl occur within the perimeter affording us a sighting by torchlight after dark. Marabou and Yellow-billed Stork frequent the river system and Saddle-billed Stork are regularly recorded. Our route the next day consists of a morning and afternoon drive in search of White-crowned Lapwing, Water Thick-knee, Common Pratincole and a mix of herons including Goliath and Green-backed as well as Comb Duck on the larger dams. In the afternoon we work the woodland roadside area as well as the open grassland to the east. Target species include Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, Amethyst Starling, Burchell’s Starling, Red-billed Oxpecker, White-faced Owl and Black-bellied Bustard in the grassland areas. Aside from the prolific birdlife we can expect good sightings of hippopotamus, buffalo, elephant, giraffe and an assortment of antelope with African wild dog and hyena as further possibilities. Heading north we enter expansive tracts of open grassland and a mono-scape of well established broadleaved woodland known as ‘ mopane’. The characteristic bifoliolate leaves of these semi-deciduous trees form the stable diet of impala and elephant for most months of the year. Riverine thickets and well wooded river systems hold Red-billed Woodhoopoe, Crested and Black-collared Barbet, Green-spotted Dove, Grey Turaco, Red-faced Mousebird, Lilac- breasted and Purple Rollers, Trumpeter and Grey Hornbill, Black-headed Oriole, Southern Black Tit, Chinspot Batis, Black Flycatcher and Black-backed Puffback. This too is one of the best areas for Southern Ground Hornbill. After a one night stop at Shingwedzi we continue on to Punda Maria for our final night in the Park. As we move further north so elephant sightings increase and north of the camp we catch sight of our first baobab tree. These trees can grow up to 25meters tall and can live for over a thousand years. Popular with Red-billed Buffalo and Red-headed Weavers as nesting sites in the outer branches, the hollow cores of many old specimens provide nesting opportunities for Barn Owl and the highly sought after Bohm’s Spinetail. We leave the park following a morning searching for Arnott’s Chat, Tropical Boubou, Meve’s Starling, Collared and White-bellied Sunbird, Lemon-breasted Canary, Black-throated Wattle-Eye and Brown-headed Parrot. On the way up we will search for Monotonous Lark and White as well as Retz’s Helmet Shrike, if not already seen. Raptors are likely to prove relatively abundant in the north of the Park particularly if good rains have been experienced in the area. Nyala , a shy and retiring antelope found in riverine bush also occurs in this quiet corner of the Park. LIMPOPO TO MAPUNGUBWE – NIGHTS 7 –9. A short drive through mixed woodland beyond the Parktakes us to Popallin Ranch situated adjacent to the Limpopo river in magnificent surroundings. Here we have the opportunity to walk in the wild as a pleasant change from being cooped up in our vehicle in keeping with Kruger Park regulations. As such we can take in the sights and sounds of the smaller less conspicuous birds around us such as the Yellow-breasted and Bar-throated Apalis, Long-billed Crombec, Grey-backed Camaroptera, White Eye, Rufous-winged and Rattling Cisticola, Jameson’s Firefinch and Spectacled Weaver. Here too we have the opportunity of a night drive in search of Bronze-winged Courser, Spotted Thick-knee, Spotted Eagle Owl and Square-tailed (Mozambique) Nightjar along with a selection of nocturnal mammals. Night sounds include the grunting of hippo and the barking of bushbuck and baboon in the riverine bush. Our route west the next day takes us to Mopane Bush Lodge where we spend two nights adjacent to the recently proclaimed Mapungubwe National Park. Known primarily as an archeological site of cultural importance. The heavily eroded sandstone ridges and exposed granite domes and extensive riverine thickets and mature stands of woodland hold an abundance of wildlife. On top of this a boardwalk extending for over 200m in pristine gallery forest has recently been constructed leading to a hide overlooking the Limpopo river. Bearded and Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Crested Barbet, Meve’s Starling, Retz’s and White-helmet Shrike, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, White-fronted Bee-eater, Red-billed Woodhoopoe, Black-backed Puffback and Natal Francolin are resident along with Banded Harrier-Hawk. Martial, Verreaux and African Hawk-Eagle are regularly recorded over the rocky ridges and Crowned Eagle frequent the mature stands of woodland. Brown and Black-breasted Snake Eagle occur throughout areas of open scrub along with Little-banded and Gabar Goshawk. Highlight if river conditions prove favourable will be a successful search for Pel’s Fishing Owl in a daylight roost in the gallery forest. Aside from the terrestrial mix of species available a privileged visit to a private wetland in the area should generate an impressive mix of waterfowl sightings, including White Pelican, Great White Egret, Openbill and Yellow-billed Stork as well as Palearctic and other waders including African Painted Snipe. ZOUTPANSBERG – NIGHTS 10 - 13 A relatively short drive after a leisurely start to the day takes us around the western shoulder of the Zoutpansberg mountain range - so named by the early Dutch settlers in recognition of the many salt- pans in the area. The Lesheba Wilderness area offers a wide variety of habitat options including open grassland, woodland, arid mountain bushveld and temperate forest. Here we expect to see Cape Griffon, Black Stork, Crowned Eagle, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Collared Sunbird and Paradise Flycatcher. Aside from birding the stopover affords us the opportunity of experiencing Venda tribal hospitality and viewing internationally acclaimed Noria Mabasa works of art in the local tradition. From Lesheba we follow the flanks of the Zoutpansberg range to Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge situated on the banks of the Albasini Dam overlooking Luonde mountain where we will stay for three nights. A number of excursions to different birding sites in the immediate area, including a sunset cruise, should produce Black-crowned and White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Crested Guineafowl, Red-faced Cisticola, Blue-spotted and Tambourine Dove, Yellow-spotted Nicator, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, African (Blue-billed) Firefinch and Gorgeous Bush Shrike. Pace will be leisurely and will provide time sufficient to browse in local gift shops and Venda art galleries should the need arise. For those so inclined an early start option exists to ‘tick’ African Broadbill, as this highly secretive ‘special’ only displays in the grey light of dawn after which it seemingly disappears into obscurity for the rest of the day ! POLOKWANE AND THE NYLSVLEI NATURE RESERVE – NIGHT 14 Our route south takes us to the Ben Lavin Nature Reserve where we will search the dry scrub for Lizard Buzzard, Jacobin and Diederik Cuckoo, Brubru, White-browed and Bearded Scrub Robin and White-browed Robin Chat before arriving for a short stop at the Polokwane Nature Reserve where we will look for Short-clawed Lark, Buffy Pipit, White-browed Sparrow Weaver and Tinkling Cisticola. We arrive in the early afternoon at Boekenhout Guest House for our last night. A short drive to the causeway across the vlei should add a number of wetland species to our by now impressive trip list followed by ‘sundowners’ before heading back to our accommodation for the night. An early start to pick up on flighting activity in and around the vlei area will be followed by brunch and the opportunity to freshen up before heading back to Johannesburd International for the flight home. WAKKERSTROOM EXTENSION – NIGHTS 15 – 17. We overnight at the City Lodge and after breakfast set out for the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve to the south of Johannesburg. Here we will look for Greywing Francolin, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Rock and African Pipit, Acacia Pied Barbet, Red-eyed Bulbul, Red-headed Finch, Mountain Wheatear and Chestnut-backed Finch Lark. Heading on we arrive at Wakkerstroom in the early afternoon and check into Toad Hall Guesthouse for two nights. During what remains of the day and the next day and a half we expect to add Buff-streaked Chat, White-bellied and Blue Korhaan, Bald Ibis, Yellow-breasted and Rock Pipit, Orange-throated Longclaw, Botha’s and Rudd’s Lark as well as Pink-billed Lark , South African Cliff Swallow, Marsh and Spotted Eagle Owl, Redwing Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Drakensberg Prinia, Bush Blackcap, Red-throated Wryneck, Amur Falcon, Lesser Kestrel and a suite of cisticolas to the list including Pale-crowned and Cloud Cisticola. After a final mornings birding focusing on what is still required on the Wakkerstroom wish list we head back to JHB International for the evening flight out. PACE With mid-summer approaching the days are likely to be warm to hot with thundershowers in the afternoon. Evenings will be pleasantly cool. Birding will be best in the early morning with the option of breakfast in the field or a return to base in true safari style for a well earned brunch. Birding will be relaxed and travel times between points of birding interest have been deliberately kept to the absolute minimum. Siesta time with the opportunity for poolside relaxation at certain points has also been provided for in planning the trip. Additional activities such as night drives are optional and have not been included in the tour price. ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD All facilities have been specially chosen to provide a balance between affordability and comfort in relation to birding sites selected based on first hand knowledge as to what is likely to be available subject to normal weather patterns prevailing at the time of the trip. All have private facilities en suite and are prepared to cater for specific dietary requirements provided adequate notice is given. Meals in the main will be served at either the lodge itself or an approved restaurant in the area. Packed lunches will be the norm in the day if we cannot loop back or arrive in time for meals due to logistical difficulties or birding commitments. Bottled water will be carried in an ice box and a 1 litre per person has been provided for. Shops along the way sell a wide range of beverages and snacks for those wishing to purchase additional supplies. PRICE INCLUDES…. All birdwatching excursions with expert leader and registered local guide, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, park entrance and toll road fees WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Cost of travel insurance, payable at time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, phone calls, room service, gratuities, etc.
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