This was the first run of our Birds, Wines & Wildflowers of South Africa since its inception in 2018, and for me, the days leading up to this tour were a roller coaster of emotions. I was thrilled to be going to Africa, scared because all the birds were new for me, and extremely sad that Joe Grosel, our colleague and friend who developed the tour would not be there because the same COVID that caused us to postpone the tour so many times had taken him away from all of us far too early.
We started things off in Johannesburg with a lovely dinner at the Safari Club and some early morning birding in the garden of the lodge, finding a few species that were only seen at the Safari Club. We then had breakfast and boarded our flight to Cape Town, where we checked into our luxurious hotel and enjoyed a light lunch before heading to the Steenberg winery. There we enjoyed a few birds such as Black Kite, Black Goshawk, Red-winged Starling and the lovely Cape weavers working on their intricate nests, before visiting the winery and enjoying a taste of many of the wines of the Steenberg Estate.
The following day was dedicated to exploring the incredible Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens where we saw many of the incredible Proteas being visited by Southern Double-collared Sunbirds and Cape Sugarbirds, while Karoo Prinias, Cape Bulbuls and Southern Boubous hid in the Bushes. The open lawns were punctuated by Cape Spurfowl, OliveThrushes and even the colorful Swee Waxbill, all of them vigilant of the skies above as Booted Eagles, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and Forest Buzzard circled above. We all left the gardens wishing for more time, but it was time to visit South Africa’s oldest winery, Groot Constantia and taste its amazing wines, including the Grand Constance, a fortified wine made famous by none less than Napoleon Bonaparte.
The next day was a windy one but even under strong winds we pulled off one of the birds of the trip with excellent views of the charismatic Cape Rockjumper, along with a stellar cast of co-stars that included Cape Grassbird, Cape Rock-thrush, Cape Canary, Cape Bunting and even another Cape Sugarbird. We continued our journey south along the False Bay until we reached Stony Point to enjoy great looks at African Penguins at their breeding colony, accompanied by African Oystercatchers, Hartlaub’s Gulls and an impressive 4 species of Cormorants. We headed back to our hotel after a lovely lunch in Rooi-Els paired with a lovely selection of local wines.
Our last day in the Cape area had us heading north towards West Coast National Park, where we found Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Gray-winged Francolin, Cape Teal, Kittlitz’s Plover as well as some lovely Black Bustards among a beautiful field of wild flowers, and as we headed back to Cape Town we found a beautiful Blue Crane, South Africa’s National Bird.
We can all agree that our time in the Cape area was too short but it was time to move on and fly across the country into Kruger National Park, where we landed at the brand new Skukuza airport and transferred to our hotel at Skukuza before heading out for a game drive that produced looks at Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Zebras, African Elephant and a Leopard. The birding was not too shabby, either, with Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Little Bee-eater, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Fish Eagle and our first Bateleurs amongst others before heading to camp.
Birding camp grounds is always great in the mornings as most people leave early for game drives and we get to walk around instead of birding from a vehicle and that is exactly what we did at Skukuza, connecting with some great birds such as Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Crowned Hornbill, Cape Crombec, White-breasted Sunbird, Bearded and Red-backed Scrub-robins to name a few.
It was then time to pack up and move to our next destination at Satara Camp, taking us a full day to cover the 80 miles that separate the two camps as we picked up a lot of great birds and mammals along the way, including the handsome Double-banded Sandgrouse, Kori and Red-crested bustards, Sabota Lark and the iconic Marabou Stork.
The lodging at Satara was quite basic but the birding in the morning was quite good, and we enjoyed good looks at Brown-headed Parrots, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Green-backed Camaroptera, Pied Barbets, Mariqua Sunbird and many others before heading to our final stop at Tulela Lodge.
Tulela was the perfect place to finish up our trip and wind down after a couple of hectic days and our first game drive produced views of a group of African Wild Dogs, Saddle-billed Stork, Tawny Eagle, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Retz’s Helmetshrike, and Greater Honeyguide, and the activity carried into the night with Elephants drinking from the swimming pool while we had dinner and a Fiery-necked Nightjar serenaded us.
Our last full day started with an early drive with breakfast in the field and ended with sundowners on a wooden deck producing a few more great birds such as Gray-headed Bushshrike, Hamerkop, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Bennet’s Woodpecker, Red-headed Weaver and Violet-eared Waxbill.
This was my first trip to Africa but it will not be my last and I will always treasure the memories of this experience that I was able to share with each of you. I could not have asked for a better group of people to share this magical memory with.
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
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)
Seen both in the Cape area where they have been reintroduced and in the Kruger where they are truly wild
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
A common species that we saw every day on the tour.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
Seen a couple of times in the Cape area. This species often feeds on toxic beetles and absorb their toxin in their flesh making them toxic to humans.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
A common species in the Cape area
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
We saw this species at the West Coast National park on the boardwalk to the Geelbek hide.
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Seen every day on our tour. It is always fun to see a species that has been introduced to so many places in its native range.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Ortygornis sephaena)
Seen multiple times around Kruger.
GRAY-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Scleroptila afra)
We had good looks at this Southern African endemic during our visit to West Coast National park.
CAPE FRANCOLIN (Pternistis capensis)
Another very range restricted species that we picked up in the Cape region. We found this one in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town.
NATAL FRANCOLIN (Pternistis natalensis)
A near endemic of Southern Africa that we saw every day while we visited the Kruger area
SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN (Pternistis swainsonii)
Another common species in the Kruger area
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
We saw both the Greater and the Lesser Flamingos well at West Coast National Park
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
This heavily patterned pigeon was a common sight around Cape Town
LEMON DOVE (Columba larvata)
We found this dove at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
Seen a few times in the Kruger area. We had particularly good looks at it in the Tchokwane Picnic site where we had lunch on our way from Skukuza to Satara camp
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
A common species on the first half of our trip.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
Seen every day on our tour.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
We saw this amazing looking species in the gardens of Skukuza camp early in the morning.
DOUBLE-BANDED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles bicinctus)
Sandgrouse are often hard to see, but we managed to see them twice on our tour. The first time in Kruger and the second at Tulela lodge.
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
These massive birds are the heaviest flying birds in Africa and we saw them well at Kruger.
RED-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis ruficrista)
Much smaller than the Kori Bustard but also seen by our group in the Kruger area. The "Red crest" that gives its name is usually concealed and therefore rarely seen.
BLACK BUSTARD (Eupodotis afra)
This was the first species of Bustard we saw on our tour as we visited West Coast National Park.
GRAY GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor)
First seen at the Safari Club in Johannesburg and many more times in the Kruger area. This species curious name comes from its call that sounds like the bird is telling you to go away.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (BURCHELL'S) (Centropus superciliosus burchellii)
We had multiple views of this unique cuckoo species in the Kruger area.
FIERY-NECKED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
We saw this species after hearing its lovely song from the deck at Tulela Lodge
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba)
We saw this distinctive species at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus)
Several individuals flying over the Steenberg farm in the Cape area.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
Common in the Kruger region
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer)
Very similar to the Little Swift and also common in the Kruger area but this species has a forked tail instead of a square tail.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Seen on our drive out of Skukuza camp on our first afternoon in Kruger.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Seen at West Coast National Park.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
BLUE CRANE (Anthropoides paradiseus)
This beautiful crane is the national bird of South Africa. We saw a pair of birds on the day we visited West Coast National Park
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
This species is usually found near water and we found it at Kruger National Park
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis)
Seen right at the gardens of our lodge in Cape Town.
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Seen nicely at West Coast National Park. This is a boreal breeder that winters in Africa.
AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus moquini)
We saw this species that is restricted to coastal southern Africa on the day we visited Betty's Bay from Cape Town.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
One of the many species of waders we saw at West Coast National Park.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
This handsome species was a common sight throughout the tour.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus)
Great looks at this minute Plover by the boardwalk to the hides at West Coast National Park
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
A great spot by Peggy.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus)
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus)
Seen by one of of our vehicles at Tulela Lodge on one of our drives around the Klaserie Reserve.
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
HARTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)
This handsome small gull is endemic to Southern Africa and is a common sight around Cape Town.
KELP GULL (VETULA) (Larus dominicanus vetula)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)
On a very windy day in the Betty's Bay area these charismatic penguins were the highlight.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus)
Seen at Kruger National Park as we made our way from Skukuza Camp to Satara Camp.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
This iconic species was first seen distantly by one of the safari vehicles at Kruger but later we had much better views at Tulela Lodge.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
CAPE GANNET (Morus capensis)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa)
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)
CROWNED CORMORANT (Microcarbo coronatus)
BANK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax neglectus)
CAPE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capensis)
Our visit to Betty's Bay was a virtual Cormorant workshop with five species of Cormorants seen in a small window of time.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
We found this monotypic bird around Tulela Lodge. Its name means hammer head.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
This large heron is somewhat reminiscent of a Great Blue Heron. We saw them at West Coast National Park.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
Seen every day on our tour. There are three subspecies of this Ibis and the birds we saw are the nominate subspecies.
SECRETARYBIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
We saw this Iconic african bird at Kruger National Park and even saw this mostly terrestrial bird in flight.
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
Many vulture species are in steep decline across much of Africa and this species is no exception. We found this endangered species at Kruger National Park.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus)
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
This is the only member of the Terathopius genus and is one of the most common species of raptors at Kruger National Park
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
We saw this massive eagle at Kruger National Park. This species is endangered in South Africa but Kruger hosts one of the largest populations.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus)
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)
We had a particularly good look at this species by the road on our way into Tulela Lodge
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus)
We saw this species around the hides at West Coast National Park
BLACK HARRIER (Circus maurus)
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
LITTLE SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter minullus)
RUFOUS-BREASTED SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter rufiventris)
One of the many species we saw at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus)
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus)
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
This striking species was one of my most wanted birds on our tour and we had a great look at one during our time at Kruger National Park
FOREST BUZZARD (Buteo trizonatus)
We had a distant view of this bird at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens but after carefully reviewing the photos we were able to confirm the identity of this species.
JACKAL BUZZARD (Buteo rufofuscus)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis)
A couple of birds roosting by our lodge at Tulela were a highlight of the trip.
SOUTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis granti) [*]
SPOTTED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo africanus)
We saw a nesting bird at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and a pair of birds by our lodge at Steenberg.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus)
This is the largest owl in Africa and we found a roosting bird at Kruger National Park.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
This species belongs to the genus Glaucidium, the same genus of the Pygmy-owls from North America.
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
Seen on our first day at the Safari Club in Johannesburg and later on at Kruger National Park
WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD (Colius colius)
RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Seen at West Coast National Park and later on at Kruger.
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
Seen at the Safari club in Johannesburg and later on at Kruger where it is a relatively common species.
COMMON SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
CROWNED HORNBILL (Lophoceros alboterminatus) [*]
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas)
The most common species of Hornbill at Kruger. Some of us even saw them on the runway at Skukuza.
SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Bycanistes bucinator)
A brief view by a few folks on the day we arrived at Kruger.
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)
This woodland kingfisher is a common species at Kruger and we saw it several times.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) [*]
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
First seen just by Vicky in the Cape area but a couple of days later the rest of the group caught up and everyone saw it.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
We found this handsome species of Bee-eater on our drive from Skukuza to Satara.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
Common in the Kruger area.
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
This iconic species was seen on most days around Kruger.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
This is one of several great species we saw at Satara Camp before taking off for Tulela Lodge.
CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii)
The most common Barbet on our tour and one that we saw in Johannesburg and multiple times in the Kruger area.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)
Spotted by Ed and Nancy
PIED BARBET (Tricholaema leucomelas)
Seen both at Satara Camp and at Tulela Lodge
BLACK-COLLARED BARBET (Lybius torquatus)
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator)
We first heard it at Kruger National Park and later saw one at Tulela Lodge
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Chloropicus fuscescens)
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Chloropicus namaquus)
We stopped for lunch at Tshokwane and had great looks at this woodpecker.
BENNETT'S WOODPECKER (Campethera bennettii)
Seen right at the gardens of Tulela Lodge.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)
The most abundant woodpecker on our tour.
ROCK KESTREL (Falco rupicolus)
Seen regularly around the Cape area
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
A couple of birds seen around Betty's Bay
BROWN-HEADED PARROT (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus)
This is the only species of Parrot on our tour route. Quite a contrast for this South American guide ;-)
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
Common in the Kruger area
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
Multiple looks at this charismatic little bird during our time in the Kruger area,
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus)
Also known as White-crested Helmetshrike. We had multiple sightings in the Kruger area.
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii)
Seen a couple of times around Tulela Lodge
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
This handsome bushshrike is the only species in the genus Nilaus. We saw them several times during our visit to Kruger.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus)
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
SOUTHERN BOUBOU (Laniarius ferrugineus)
Especially nice views at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
BOKMAKIERIE (Telophorus zeylonus)
An excellent look right in the parking lot of our lodge in Cape Town
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus)
We had great looks at this beautiful Bushshrike in the gardens of Skukuza camp on our first morning at Kruger.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
Also known as the Ghostbird. We found this species at Tulela lodge towards the end of our tour.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Abundant in the Kruger Area
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Lanius melanoleucus)
SOUTHERN FISCAL (Lanius collaris)
Often referred to as butcher bird by South Africans. This name derives from the habit that this species has of impaling its prey on acacia thorns.
WHITE-CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus anguitimens)
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
This is one of the most distinctive species of crows in the world and it is a common sight around Cape Town
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis)
CAPE ROCKJUMPER (Chaetops frenatus)
This handsome South African endemic was one of the greatest avian highlights of the tour. We had great looks at them while visiting the lovely Rooi-Els on our way to Betty's Bay
SOUTHERN BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus niger)
CAPE LARK (Certhilauda curvirostris)
CHESTNUT-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucotis)
We spotted this minute lark on our way from Satara to Tulela Lodge
SABOTA LARK (Calendulauda sabota)
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
LARGE-BILLED LARK (Galerida magnirostris)
Good looks at this range restricted lark during our visit to West Coast National Park
CAPE CROMBEC (Sylvietta rufescens)
Multiple views of this nearly tailless species during our visit to the great Kruger area.
CAPE GRASSBIRD (Sphenoeacus afer)
BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA (Eremomela usticollis)
This species was formerly considered a old world warbler but was recently placed with the Cisticolas. We found a pair on our way from Satara to Tulela Lodge.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera brachyura)
BAR-THROATED APALIS (Apalis thoracica)
The members of the Cisticolas family are notoriously drab but this particular bird stands out with its spiffy plumage. We found them at West Coast National Park
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
Far more discreet than the Bar-throated Apalis. We had multiple sightings at Kruger.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
KAROO PRINIA (Prinia maculosa)
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
Multiple sightings around the Kruger Area
RED-HEADED CISTICOLA (Cisticola subruficapilla)
Multiple sightings in the Cape area
LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens)
LITTLE RUSH WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) [*]
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
Seen in the area where we found the Rockjumper.
WHITE-THROATED SWALLOW (Hirundo albigularis)
A recent arrival from Central Africa. The species arrives in South Africa in September to breed.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
We had multiple views of this distinctive swallow in the Kruger area
PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW (Hirundo dimidiata)
A couple of sightings on the day we visited West Coast National Park
GREATER STRIPED SWALLOW (Cecropis cucullata)
A single sighting on our way to West Coast National Park.
LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica)
Far more common than the Greater Striped Swallow and we had multiple encounters with them in the Kruger area.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa)
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
Great looks at a perched bird at Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens.
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus)
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
Our birding on the grounds of Skukuza camp turned out to be a bit of a workshop on Greenbuls, Brownbuls and Bulbuls with four species seen in a short period of time.
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
CAPE BULBUL (Pycnonotus capensis)
This species although common is an endemic of South Africa and is only found in the areas around or near Cape Town. We had multiple good looks at them during our time there.
CHESTNUT-VENTED WARBLER (Curruca subcoerulea)
A brief stop at the Cape Nature Conservation area on our way to West Coast National Park produced a good look at this handsome skulker.
CAPE WHITE-EYE (CAPE) (Zosterops virens capensis)
We saw two forms of this species. This one, as its name suggests occurs in the Cape area and has rufous flanks.
CAPE WHITE-EYE (GREEN) (Zosterops virens virens)
This is the subspecies we encountered in Johannesburg
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorynchus)
The most common of the two oxpeckers we saw. We had particularly good views of one providing its services to a Zebra on our first day at Kruger.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
Great looks at a group of birds picking ticks from a herd of African Buffalo
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)
Common and abundant in the Cape area
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis)
Seen both at Johannesburg and in the Kruger area. This is an introduced species.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
One of the most common and abundant species in the Cape area
BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)
AFRICAN PIED STARLING (Lamprotornis bicolor)
Unlike all the other starlings that were seen repeatedly on our tour, this species was only seen once at West Coast National Park
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
Excellent views at our lunch stop at Tshokwane.
CAPE STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens)
GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH (Psophocichla litsitsirupa)
Seen right around the gardens of Tulela Lodge
OLIVE THRUSH (Turdus olivaceus)
This species closely resembles the American Robin and was a common sight around the Cape area.
KAROO THRUSH (Turdus smithi)
Only seen in Johannesburg at the gardens of the Safari Club
AFRICAN DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
Excellent looks at Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens.
MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (Bradornis mariquensis)
As we made our way to the Orpen Gate at Kruger we crossed some Acacia savanna and came across this discreet flycatcher.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Fraseria caerulescens)
FISCAL FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis silens)
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
Seen every day at Kruger National Park
KAROO SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas coryphoeus)
Yet another species that we picked up at the Cape Nature Conservation Area on our way to West Coast National Park
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)
Great looks at this neatly patterned scrub-robin near our hotel at Skukuza camp in Kruger
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
Also seen near our hotel at Skukuza Camp in the Kruger area.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
Common in the Cape area.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
This colorful Robin-Chat was seen well at Skukuza Camp
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis)
This is a typical case of a poorly named bird. The bird is orange-yellow with grayish-blue wings and central tail feathers but no obvious red cap. Go figure.
SENTINEL ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola explorator)
A nice view of a male sitting on a rock at Rooi-Els
CAPE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rupestris)
Also seen at Rooi-Els. We had particularly good views of a bird perched on a wire.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus)
Nice looks at this spiffy looking bird at West Coast National Park. There are 16 subspecies of this cute little bird 14 of which belong to the African group (the same as the bird we saw). The birds at West Coast National Park belong to the clanceyi subspecies.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris)
CAPE SUGARBIRD (Promerops cafer)
One of our great targets in the Cape area. This species is endemic to the Fynbos and we had fabulous looks at them during our visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
Seen nicely on the grounds of Skukuza Camp
ORANGE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Anthobaphes violacea)
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa)
Seen really well at Rooi-Els
SOUTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chalybeus)
The most common species of Sunbird around the Cape area and one that we saw extremely well at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
WHITE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris talatala)
Common in the Kruger Area.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
CAPE WEAVER (Ploceus capensis)
We had great looks at nesting birds right outside the restaurant at Steenberg Winery
SOUTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus velatus)
We only saw this species at the gardens of the Safari Club in Johannesburg
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
SOUTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix)
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis)
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Also seen at the Safari Club in Johannesburg
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata)
SWEE WAXBILL (Coccopygia melanotis)
It was "Sweet" to see these handsome Waxbills foraging on the grass at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
It is always great to see a bird that you have seen as an introduced species in so many parts of the world in their native range. I used to have these birds in my backyard growing up in Brazil.
RED-HEADED FINCH (Amadina erythrocephala)
Several birds visiting the feeders at Safari Club
VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL (Granatina granatina)
One of the memorable moments at Tulela Lodge was having some coffee in the field while watching these birds come to a watering hole in beautiful morning light.
SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus angolensis)
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba)
AFRICAN FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rubricata)
A small group of birds seen on a safari drive out of Tulela
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura)
A single bird flew over at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
SHAFT-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua regia)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
CAPE SPARROW (Passer melanurus)
Common around the Cape area
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer diffusus)
This species is common around Kruger. Not nearly as handsome as the Cape Sparrow though
YELLOW-THROATED BUSH SPARROW (Gymnoris superciliaris)
Another somewhat drab sparrow that we found at Tulela Lodge. As a matter of fact one of its identifying characters is the lack of distinctive features. Ohh well at least it has a catchy name.
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
Often seen around the gardens of our lodge in Cape Town
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
ORANGE-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx capensis)
COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs)
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Crithagra mozambica)
Common in the Kruger area
FOREST CANARY (Crithagra scotops)
Seen at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Crithagra sulphurata)
YELLOW CANARY (Crithagra flaviventris)
WHITE-THROATED CANARY (Crithagra albogularis)
CAPE CANARY (Serinus canicollis)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
We had multiple looks at this flashy bunting during our time in the Kruger area.
CAPE BUNTING (Emberiza capensis)
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi)
These neat Fruit bats were hanging from the ceiling at Skukuza airport. Quite the welcoming committee!
MAURITIAN TOMB BAT (Taphozous mauritianus)
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
VERVET (Cercopithecus pygerythrus)
These charismatic monkeys were an endless source of entertainment at Kruger.
CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)
Particularly common around the Cape area where we saw them several times
SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatalis)
SMITH'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus cepapi)
FOUR-STRIPED GRASS MOUSE (Rhabdomys pumilio)
CAPE PORCUPINE (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
A few of us who lingered at the restaurant after dinner at Skukuza saw one of these majestic Porcupines parading around the camp
INDO-PACIFIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops aduncus)
SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE (Eubalaena australis)
Excellent looks at False Bay on our way Rooi-Els. This species returns to the False Bay each year to breed and give birth.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
We saw this neatly marked Jackal on our trip from Skukuza to Satara.
AFRICAN WILD DOG (Lycaon pictus)
Tulela's lodge logo is an African Wild Dog and they did not disappoint us. We found a group of them resting in the shade on our first day at Tulela.
RATEL (HONEY BADGER) (Mellivora capensis)
We had fun watching the interactions between the restaurant staff and a Honey Badger that broke into camp at Satara. These guys are notoriously intelligent and regularly find a way into camp to feed on leftover food from the restaurant.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta)
We spotted one individual walking across the river from the Restaurant at Skukuza.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina)
One of the safari vehicles had a brief look at this species at Kruger.
CAPE GRAY MONGOOSE (Herpestes pulverulentus)
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale parvula)
Quite honestly one of my favorite mammals of the trip. I loved watching these little guys poke their heads out of Termite mounds.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
We went out on a safari drive on our fist afternoon at Skukuza and came across a massive traffic jam. The cause of the traffic jam soon became clear as we saw the Leopard lying down in the grass.
LION (Panthera leo)
CAPE (AUSTRALIAN) FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus pusillus)
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
Several wonderful experiences but my favorite one was watching the young ones trying to move across the mud at a watering hole. What adorable little creatures.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
COMMON ZEBRA (Equus quagga)
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Sadly our best look was at one individual that looked sick near Skukuza camp.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
The words common and Giraffe should never go together. These are remarkable creatures and despite their abundance, we never tired of looking at them.
NYALA (Tragelaphus angasi)
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
Watching a massive herd come to a watering hole for a drink at Tulela was a memorable moment of the trip.
BUSH (GRAY) DUIKER (Sylvicapra grimmia)
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
BONTEBOK (Damaliscus dorcas)
Seen at West Coast National Park
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus)
We found this tiny antelope when we went through some rocky habitat at Kruger.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris)
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
BLUE-HEADED TREE AGAMA (Acanthocercus atricollis)
WATER MONITOR (Varanus salvator)
Winery, Wine name, Origin, Wine type, Vintage
Winkelshoek, Schenkforntein Chardonnay, Swartland, White, 2019
CSL Wines, Charles Lang & Sons, Stellenbosch, Red, 2020
Steenberg, 1682 Cap Classique Brut, Sparkling, No vintage
Steenberg, Lady R Cap Classique, Western Cape, Sparkling,2016
Steenberg, Nebbiolo, Constantia, Red 2017
Steenberg, Catharina, ,Constantia, Red, 2019
Steenberg, Semillon, ,Constantia, White, 2020
Steenberg, The Black Swan, ,Constantia, White, 2021
Steenberg, Syrah, Constantia, Red, 2019
Simonsig, Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, White, 2022
Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Protea Merlot, Western Cape Red, 2020
Groot Constantia, Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia, White, 2022
Groot Constantia, Chardonnay, Constantia, White, 2020
Groot Constantia, Pinotage, Constantia, Red ,2020
Groot Constantia, Siraz, Constantia, Red 2019
Groot Constantia, Gouverneurs Reserve, Constantia, Red, 2018
Groot Constantia, Grand Constance, Constantia, Fortified, 2017
Constantia Uitsigh,Chardonnay Reserve, Constantia, White, 2020
Constantia Uitsigh Constantia, Constantia, Red, 2019
La Vierge, Jezebelle, Walker Bay, White, 2018
Beyerskloof, Pinotage, Western Cape, Red, 2020
Delaire Graff, Cabernet Franc Rose, Stellenbosch, Rose, 2021
Lismore, Chardonnay, Cape South Coast, White, 2020
Domaine Des Dieux, Sangiovese, Walker Bay, Red, 2016
Mullineux, Straw Wine, Swartland, Fortified, 2021
Thelema, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, Red, 2018
Iona, Monopole, Elgin Highlands, White, 2021
Graham Beck, Brut Rose, Western Cape, Sparkling, No Vintage
Guardian Peak, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, White, 2022
Jean Engelbrecht, Stellenbosch Reserve Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, White 2021
Guardian Peak, Merlot, Stellenbosch, Red, 2021
Jean Engelbrecht, Stellenbosch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch, Red, 2020
Totals for the tour: 272 bird taxa and 42 mammal taxa