For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.
See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

A Cape Grassbird belts out its song at Stoney Point in this photo by participant John Catto.
Our October 2013 South Africa tour was rather strange in that we had far more cold weather than on any previous visit -- but fabulous weather for the pelagic trip off the Cape of Good Hope gave us our best birding there ever. With a list of 480 birds and 54 mammals, plus the knowledge and humor of our new co-leader Joe Grosel, and a great group of eager participants, we really had many wonderful experiences in one of Africa's most modern and progressive countries.
Once again we followed our well-tried route, beginning with a flight west to Upington and then driving through the arid desert and sheep country to our base at Pofadder. During two days in this area we enjoyed such varied species as Karoo Bustard, Namaqua Sandgrouse, White-backed Mousebird, Pygmy Falcon, Black-eared Sparrowlark, Fairy Flycatcher (now in the new family Stenostiridae), Karoo Prinia, Tractrac Chat, Pale-winged Starling, Yellow Canary, Social Weaver (at huge 'haystack' nests), and -- although not the most gorgeous bird of the tour -- we had our best views ever of the extremely local and endemic Red Lark. The mammals were exceptional, too, with the mainly nocturnal African Porcupine and Bat-eared Fox seen in broad daylight, plus nice looks at Springbok, Gemsbok, and Mountain Zebra.
We then continued south to Lambert's Bay, West Coast National Park, and the Cape Town region. As always, the Cape Gannet colony at Lambert's Bay was fantastic for photography, while in WCNP our views of male Black Harriers were just outstanding. In the Cape we added all of our groups most-wanted birds, including Cape Francolin, Jackass Penguin (right in our hotel garden), Blue Crane, Cape Batis, Cape Rockjumper (perhaps the bird of the trip?), Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rock-Thrush, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Siskin, and Cape Weaver. Skippered by our longtime friend Captain Harry, the pelagic trip was superb, with extremely close looks at five species of albatross (including Northern Royal, White-capped, and Yellow-nosed), both Northern and Southern giant-petrels, Cape and Soft-plumaged petrels, Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, Great Shearwater, Brown Skua, and Sabine's Gull -- several species were gathered behind a trawler in their hundreds.
We then took a flight to Durban and began a journey inland to the Drakensberg (and the tiny country of Lesotho), the forests at Oribi Gorge and St. Lucia, and the sandveld and mixed habitats of Mkuze. Birds and mammals seen during this week are far too numerous to mention here but, in addition to a wide variety of wetland birds, just some of the highlights were Bald Ibis, Lammergeier, Cape Griffon, Brown-necked (Cape) Parrot, Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Ground Woodpecker (one of the most interesting endemics), Woodward's Batis, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Rudd's Apalis, Bush Blackcap, Gurney's Sugarbird, White-throated and Chorister robin-chats, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Mountain Pipit, and the simply beautiful Pink-throated Twinspot. We also added some memorable species to our mammal list, from the rather cute Sloggett's Ice Rat to the huge ambling White Rhino, Banded Mongoose, Burchell's Zebra, Hippo, Common Giraffe, Nyala, Greater Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, and Impala.
We then headed north towards Kruger, stopping along way in the high-altitude grasslands around Wakkerstroom -- the specials here are Blue Bustard, Wattled Crane, Rudd's, Botha's and Eastern Long-billed larks, and Yellow-tufted and Yellow-breasted pipits. We eventually found all of them, but we appreciated having the full two days to do so.
Kruger National Park is of course one of the most famous attractions of South Africa (and not without reason), and amongst our many highlights were Natal Francolin, Martial Eagle, Gray Go-away-bird, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Magpie Shrike, Groundscraper Thrush, Burchell's Glossy-Starling, Red-billed and Yellow-billed oxpeckers (another new family, Buphagidae), and the gorgeous Red-headed Weaver. Twenty-six species of mammals were seen, including Lion, Cheetah, African Wild Cat, Spotted Hyaena, African Elephant (some with enormous tusks), African Buffalo, Warthog, Common Waterbuck, and Bushbuck.
Finally, we then began our journey west and south as we returned to Johannesburg. A stop near Magoebaskloof gave us fantastic close views of Bat Hawk, and then in the nearby forests, Olive Bushshrike, Gray Cuckooshrike, and Yellow-streaked Greenbul. However, the most rewarding area on this last leg of the tour was at Polokwane. Here in the acacia scattered grasslands we enjoyed a fabulous last morning adding a wonderful mix of both birds and mammals, including the striking Crimson-breasted Gonolek, the extremely localized Short-clawed Lark, Ashy Tit, Burnt-neck Eremomela, Mariqua Flycatcher, the gorgeous Violet-eared Waxbill, Sable Antelope, and Topi.
Many thanks to the group for joining us on this exciting tour. Joe and I look forward to returning in October, 2014!
--Terry
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK (Tadorna cana) [E]
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa)

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, photographed by participant John Catto
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) CAPE SHOVELER (Anas smithii) [E]
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha)
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota)
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma)
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (Guttera pucherani)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena)
GRAY-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus africanus) [E]
CAPE FRANCOLIN (Francolinus capensis) [E]
NATAL FRANCOLIN (Francolinus natalensis)
SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus swainsonii)
COMMON QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor)
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
JACKASS PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus) [E]
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS (ATLANTIC) (Thalassarche chlororhynchos chlororhynchos)
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS (INDIAN) (Thalassarche chlororhynchos bassi)
WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche cauta)
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche melanophris)
ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi)
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus)
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli)
CAPE PETREL (Daption capense)
GREAT-WINGED PETREL (Pterodroma macroptera)
SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL (Pterodroma mollis)
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
GREAT SHEARWATER (Puffinus gravis)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus griseus)
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus)
BLACK-BELLIED STORM-PETREL (Fregetta tropica)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus)
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus)
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
CAPE GANNET (Morus capensis)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
CAPE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capensis) [E]

Orange-throated Longclaw, photographed by participant John Catto
BANK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax neglectus) [E] LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus)
CROWNED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax coronatus) [E]
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath)
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
BALD IBIS (Geronticus calvus) [E]
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
LAMMERGEIER (Gypaetus barbatus)
AFRICAN CUCKOO-HAWK (Aviceda cuculoides)
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus)
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
CAPE GRIFFON (Gyps coprotheres) [E]
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
BAT HAWK (Macheiramphus alcinus)
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis)
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii)
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)
PALE CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax canorus) [E]
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar)
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus)
BLACK HARRIER (Circus maurus) [E]
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus)
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus)
JACKAL BUZZARD (Buteo rufofuscus) [E]
Otididae (Bustards)
LUDWIG'S BUSTARD (Neotis ludwigii) [E]
STANLEY BUSTARD (Neotis denhami)
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (BARROW'S) (Eupodotis senegalensis barrowii) [E]
BLUE BUSTARD (Eupodotis caerulescens) [E]
KAROO BUSTARD (Eupodotis vigorsii) [E]
RED-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis ruficrista)
BLACK BUSTARD (Eupodotis afra) [E]
WHITE-QUILLED BUSTARD (Eupodotis afraoides) [E]
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
BUFF-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura elegans)
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens)
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra)
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum)
BLUE CRANE (Anthropoides paradiseus) [E]
WATTLED CRANE (Bugeranus carunculatus)
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus)
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus)
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus moquini) [E]
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax)
AFRICAN SNIPE (Gallinago nigripennis)
Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
SABINE'S GULL (Xema sabini)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
HARTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii) [E]
KELP GULL (CAPE) (Larus dominicanus vetula) [E]
LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
ARCTIC TERN (Sterna paradisaea)
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis)
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
BROWN SKUA (FALKLAND) (Stercorarius antarcticus antarcticus)
POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius pomarinus)
PARASITIC JAEGER (Stercorarius parasiticus)
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE (Pterocles namaqua)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix)
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria)
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
Musophagidae (Turacos)
LIVINGSTONE'S TURACO (Tauraco livingstonii)
KNYSNA TURACO (Tauraco corythaix) [E]
PURPLE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco porphyreolophus)
GRAY GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas)
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus)
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius)
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus)
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (BURCHELL'S) (Centropus superciliosus burchellii)
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (Tyto alba)
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis)
SPOTTED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo africanus)
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus)
Apodidae (Swifts)
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba)
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus)
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer)
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD (Colius colius) [E]
RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta)
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti)
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus)
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas) [E]
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus)
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus)
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator)
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii)
WHITE-EARED BARBET (Stactolaema leucotis)
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus)
PIED BARBET (Tricholaema leucomelas)
BLACK-COLLARED BARBET (Lybius torquatus)
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
WAHLBERG'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus regulus)
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor)
SCALY-THROATED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator variegatus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis)
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)
KNYSNA WOODPECKER (Campethera notata) [E]
GROUND WOODPECKER (Geocolaptes olivaceus) [E]
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens)
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus)
OLIVE WOODPECKER (Dendropicos griseocephalus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus)
EURASIAN KESTREL (ROCK) (Falco tinnunculus rupicolus)
GREATER KESTREL (Falco rupicoloides)
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo)
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
BROWN-NECKED PARROT (CAPE) (Poicephalus robustus robustus)
BROWN-HEADED PARROT (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus)
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
CAPE BATIS (Batis capensis) [E]
WOODWARD'S BATIS (Batis fratrum)
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus)
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus)
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
SOUTHERN BOUBOU (Laniarius ferrugineus) [E]
CRIMSON-BREASTED GONOLEK (Laniarius atrococcineus) [E]
BOKMAKIERIE (Telophorus zeylonus) [E]
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus)
OLIVE BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus olivaceus)
BLACK-FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus nigrifrons)
FOUR-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (FOUR-COLORED) (Telophorus viridis quadricolor)
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caesia)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio)
LESSER GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius minor)
SOUTHERN FISCAL (Lanius collaris)
SOUTHERN FISCAL (Lanius collaris subcoronatus) [E]
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca)
WHITE-CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus anguitimens)
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus)
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis)
Chaetopidae (Rockjumpers)
CAPE ROCKJUMPER (Chaetops frenatus) [E]
DRAKENSBERG ROCKJUMPER (Chaetops aurantius) [E]
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis)
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana)
CAPE CLAPPER LARK (Mirafra apiata)
EASTERN CLAPPER LARK (Mirafra fasciolata) [E]
RUDD'S LARK (Heteromirafra ruddi) [E]
SABOTA LARK (Calendulauda sabota)
RED LARK (Calendulauda burra) [E]
KAROO LARK (Calendulauda albescens) [E]
SPIKE-HEELED LARK (Chersomanes albofasciata) [E]
CAPE LARK (Certhilauda curvirostris) [E]
EASTERN LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda semitorquata) [E]
KAROO LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda subcoronata) [E]
SHORT-CLAWED LARK (Certhilauda chuana) [E]
BLACK-EARED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix australis) [E]
CHESTNUT-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucotis)
GRAY-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix verticalis)
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
STARK'S LARK (Spizocorys starki) [E]
PINK-BILLED LARK (Spizocorys conirostris) [E]
BOTHA'S LARK (Spizocorys fringillaris) [E]
LARGE-BILLED LARK (Galerida magnirostris) [E]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta)
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
WHITE-THROATED SWALLOW (Hirundo albigularis)
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
GREATER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis cucullata)
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica)
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa)
SOUTH AFRICAN SWALLOW (Petrochelidon spilodera)
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
FAIRY FLYCATCHER (Stenostira scita) [E]
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
SOUTHERN BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus niger)
ASHY TIT (Melaniparus cinerascens) [E]
GRAY TIT (Melaniparus afer) [E]
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus caroli)
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus)
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
YELLOW-STREAKED GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus)
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
BLACK-FRONTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus nigricans) [E]
CAPE BULBUL (Pycnonotus capensis) [E]
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
CAPE CROMBEC (Sylvietta rufescens)
CAPE GRASSBIRD (Sphenoeacus afer) [E]
VICTORIN'S WARBLER (Cryptillas victorini) [E]
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla)
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis)
AFRICAN REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus baeticatus)
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala)
BARRATT'S WARBLER (Bradypterus barratti)
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BAR-THROATED APALIS (Apalis thoracica)
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
RUDD'S APALIS (Apalis ruddi) [E]
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera brachyura)
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
BARRED WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes fasciolatus) [E]
RUFOUS-EARED WARBLER (Malcorus pectoralis) [E]
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops)
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
RED-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola subruficapilla) [E]
WAILING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lais)
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens)
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis)
PIPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola fulvicapilla)
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus)
CLOUD CISTICOLA (Cisticola textrix) [E]
WING-SNAPPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola ayresii)
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA (Prinia flavicans)
KAROO PRINIA (Prinia maculosa) [E]
DRAKENSBERG PRINIA (Prinia hypoxantha) [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis)
YELLOW-RUMPED EREMOMELA (Eremomela gregalis) [E]
BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA (Eremomela usticollis)
Sylviidae (Sylviids, Parrotbills and Allies)
BUSH BLACKCAP (Lioptilus nigricapillus) [E]
LAYARD'S WARBLER (Parisoma layardi) [E]
RUFOUS-VENTED WARBLER (Parisoma subcaeruleum)
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis)
CAPE WHITE-EYE (CAPE) (Zosterops pallidus capensis) [E]
CAPE WHITE-EYE (ORANGE RIVER) (Zosterops pallidus pallidus) [E]
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
Promeropidae (Sugarbirds)
GURNEY'S SUGARBIRD (Promerops gurneyi) [E]
CAPE SUGARBIRD (Promerops cafer) [E]
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus)
CHAT FLYCATCHER (Bradornis infuscatus) [E]
MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (Bradornis mariquensis)
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
FISCAL FLYCATCHER (Sigelus silens) [E]
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens)
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus)
KAROO SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas coryphaeus) [E]
BROWN SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas signata) [E]
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
WHITE-THROATED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha humeralis) [E]
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis)
CHORISTER ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha dichroa) [E]
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata)
SENTINEL ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola explorator) [E]
CAPE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rupestris) [E]
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus)
BUFF-STREAKED BUSHCHAT (Saxicola bifasciatus) [E]
SOUTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla formicivora)
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)
SICKLEWING CHAT (Cercomela sinuata) [E]
KAROO CHAT (Cercomela schlegelii) [E]
TRACTRAC CHAT (Cercomela tractrac) [E]
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris)
MOUNTAIN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe monticola) [E]
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ORANGE GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla gurneyi)
GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH (Psophocichla litsitsirupa)
KURRICHANE THRUSH (Turdus libonyana)
OLIVE THRUSH (Turdus olivaceus)
KAROO THRUSH (Turdus smithi) [E]
Sturnidae (Starlings)
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) [I]
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
CAPE GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens) [E]
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
BURCHELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis australis) [E]
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus)
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
AFRICAN PIED STARLING (Spreo bicolor) [E]
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
PALE-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus nabouroup) [E]
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
ORANGE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Anthobaphes violacea) [E]
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea)
MOUSE-COLORED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra veroxii)
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina)
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa)
SOUTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chalybeus) [E]
GREATER DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris afer) [E]
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
PURPLE-BANDED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bifasciatus)
WHITE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris talatala)
DUSKY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris fuscus) [E]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara)
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
MOUNTAIN PIPIT (Anthus hoeschi) [E]
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis)
YELLOW-TUFTED PIPIT (Anthus crenatus) [E]
YELLOW-BREASTED PIPIT (Hemimacronyx chloris) [E]
ORANGE-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx capensis) [E]
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
LARK-LIKE BUNTING (Emberiza impetuani) [E]
CAPE BUNTING (Emberiza capensis) [E]
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
CAPE SISKIN (Pseudochloroptila totta) [E]
DRAKENSBERG SISKIN (Pseudochloroptila symonsi) [E]
CAPE CANARY (Serinus canicollis) [E]
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus)
FOREST CANARY (Serinus scotops) [E]
BLACK-THROATED CANARY (Serinus atrogularis)
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus sulphuratus)
YELLOW CANARY (Serinus flaviventris) [E]
WHITE-THROATED CANARY (Serinus albogularis) [E]
PROTEA CANARY (Serinus leucopterus) [E]
STREAKY-HEADED SEEDEATER (Serinus gularis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
GREAT RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer motitensis)
CAPE SPARROW (Passer melanurus) [E]
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer diffusus)
YELLOW-THROATED PETRONIA (Petronia superciliaris)
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
SCALY WEAVER (Sporopipes squamifrons)
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
SOCIAL WEAVER (Philetairus socius)
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
CAPE WEAVER (Ploceus capensis) [E]
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus)
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus xanthopterus) [E]
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius)
SOUTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus velatus)
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus)
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor)
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix)
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis)
WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes albonotatus)
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens)
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris)
LONG-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes progne)
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
SWEE WAXBILL (Coccopygia melanotis) [E]
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda erythronotos)
BLUE-BREASTED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus angolensis)
VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL (Granatina granatina)
PINK-THROATED TWINSPOT (Hypargos margaritatus) [E]
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba)
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala)
AFRICAN FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rubricata)
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps)
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura)
SHAFT-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua regia)
VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua chalybeata)
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi)
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)
SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatalis)
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
CAPE GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus inaurius)
RED BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus palliatus)
TREE SQUIRREL (Paraxerus cepapi)
FOUR-STRIPED GRASS MOUSE (Rhabdomys pumilio)
SLOGGETT'S ICE RAT (Otomys sloggetti)
OLD WORLD PORCUPINE SP. (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
HUMPBACK WHALE (Megaptera novaeangliae)
SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE (Eubalaena australis)
BAT-EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis)
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta)
CAPE GRAY MONGOOSE (Herpestes pulverulentus)
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale parvula)
YELLOW MONGOOSE (Cynictis penicillata)
SLENDER-TAILED MEERKAT (Suricata suricatta)
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
AFRICAN WILD CAT (Felis silvestris)
LION (Panthera leo)
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
CAPE (AUSTRALIAN) FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus pusillus)
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA (Equus zebra)
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum)
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
NYALA (Tragelaphus angasi)
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
RED DUIKER (Cephalophus natalensis)
BUSH (GRAY) DUIKER (Sylvicapra grimmia)
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
SABLE ANTELOPE (Hippotragus niger)
GEMSBOK (Oryx gazella)
BONTEBOK (Damaliscus dorcas)
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus)
BLACK WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes gnou)
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus)
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris)
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus)
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
SPRINGBOK (Antidorcas marsupialis)
Reptiles seen on the tour included:
Blue-headed Rock Agama; several at Goe Gap.
Blue-headed Tree Agama; 6 at Kruger.
Spiny Agama; 6 at Pofadder.
Crag Lizard; 5 at Pofadder.
Rainbow Rock Skink; several at Abel Erasmus Pass.
Striped Skink; 4 at Kruger.
Cape Dwarf Gecko; 1 at Kruger.
Savanna Monitor; 1 at Kruger
Water Monitor; 1 at Kruger.
Angulate Tortoise; common in West NP.
Leopard Tortoise; 1 at Mkuze.
Marsh Terrapin; several at Mkuze.
Hinged Terapin; several at Mkuze.
Thread Snake; 1 at Polokwane.
Puffadder; 2 singles at West Coast NP.
Nile Crocodile; seen at Mkuze, Bonamanzi, and Kruger.
Totals for the tour: 480 bird taxa and 54 mammal taxa