Makuleke Concession Birding Trip Report Jun 2026
Guide: René Rossouw
Day 1: Makwadzi Pan
Our guests on this trip were a group of friends that requestion a combination of birding, birding photography, and walking in the far north of the Kruger National Park. The Makuleke Concession, tucked into the far northern reaches of the Kruger National Park between the Luvuvhu and Limpopo Rivers, is one of Africa’s finest birding destinations. This remote wilderness protects an exceptional diversity of habitats, from ancient fever tree forests and towering baobabs to riverine woodland, floodplains and mopaneveld, attracting an impressive array of tropical and southern African bird species. Home to sought-after specials such as Pel’s Fishing Owl, Böhm’s and Mottled Spinetail, Racket-tailed Roller, Brown-necked Parrot and Three-banded Plover, the Makuleke Concession offers outstanding birding in an unspoilt landscape where spectacular scenery, rich biodiversity and true wilderness combine to create one of Kruger’s most rewarding birding experiences.
The group was picked up at the Pafuri Gate and transferred to camp for a quick snack before we headed out on our first drive. The first bird on our list was Purple Roller. Driving through the Mopane to camp we added Golden-breasted Bunting, African Grey Hornbill, African Hoopoe, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove and one of the special birds for the area, the Meves’s Starling.
We headed out a bit later to Makwadzi Pan for sundowners. We heard parrots, unfortunately they were not our targets, the Brown-necked Parrot but we had great views of Brown-headed Parrot. Arriving at the pan we added African Spoonbill, African Darter, Hamerkop, Red-faced Cisticola, Little Bee-eater, Little Heron, Squacco Heron, African Fish Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, and Black-crowned Night Heron. As the light faded a few birds flew over on the way to roost, they were African Openbill, Great Egret, Purple Heron, and White-faced Whistling Ducks. While watching the sun set the Square-tailed Nightjars started to fly over the water, what a special end to the day. Driving back to camp we found Spotted Thick-knee next to the road, not a common bird for Kruger at all.
Day 2: Nwambi Pan and Luvuvhu bridge
This morning started early with the call of a Leopard just outside camp. After a quick coffee and a rusk, we headed out just as it was getting light. Our walk was to Nwambi Pan. We had a bit of a drive to get there and birded along the way. Natal Spurfowl, Bearded Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Oxpecker on a Buffalo, Grey Heron in flight and Crested Barbet welcomed the day. Other sightings included: Red-billed Firefinch, White-crowned Lapwing, Grey Go-awaybird and a White-browed Robin-Chat calling in the thicket. Our first target bird was a pair of Mosque Swallows perched on a dead tree. The group were all excited to be able to photograph this beautiful Swallow. After a brief stop, we continued adding the following species: Flocks of Red-billed Quelea, Striped Kingfisher, Cinamon-breasted Bunting, and a Black-headed Oriole.
We were almost at the point where we started our walk, when we spotted a Lanner Falcon on the top of a Baobab. Our walk to the pan was productive, we had splendid views of Namaqua Dove feeding on the ground. Around the water we added Yellow-billed Stork, Three-banded Plover, and White-fronted Bee-eater. Walking among the Nyala Berry trees to the edge of the pan we found a pair of Verreaux’s Eagle Owls perched. While we enjoyed a coffee break under trees, we saw Black-throated Wattle-eye, Southern Yellow White-eye, Collared Sunbird and Green-capped Eremomela. Walking back to the vehicle our next big target presented itself, a small flock of Lemon-breasted Canaries were feeding on the ground. On the drive back to camp for breakfast, we found a pair of Cut-throat Finch sitting in a Mopane tree.
Our afternoon drive was to the Luvuvhu bridge. On the way we heard the Brown-necked Parrots call and the flew over us at speed. We added Pearl-spotted Owlet, Lappet-faced and White-backed Vulture as well as Marico Sunbird to the list. Arriving at the bridge there were many swifts flying, as we got off the vehicle we spotted our next target, the Böhm’s Spinetail, we were lucky enough to see the bird a few times. As we were about to leave the Pel’s Fishing Owl flew low across the river. Another great end to a day of birding. But it was not over yet… on the way to camp we saw Bronze-winged Courser, Fiery-necked and Freckled Nightjar. Just outside of camp we decided to make a short detour to try and find the Three-banded Courser, the bird was sitting next to the road but unfortunately flushed a flew off. We drove a bit further and had to turn around to get back too camp, luckily the bird landed on the other side of the road and we relocated, it was not best sighting, but we had time to try again.
Day 3: Hutwini Gorge and Limpopo River
Our planned walk today was through the beautiful Hutwini Gorge, we set off from the drop off point and not far into the walk there were many vultures sitting in trees, we suspected there might be a carcass nearby. We came upon the Elephant carcass, there was a lot of activity around it, Spotted Hyena and Black-backed Jackals were feeding. There were well over a 100 White-backed Vultures perched in the trees, waiting their turn. We left them in peace and continued our walk, adding Black Cuckooshrike, and Orange-breasted Bushshrike t our growing list. We made our way up a ridge for a coffee break. On the top we found Mocking Cliff Chat and flushed a pair of Common Button Quail. A pair of Trumpeter Hornbill flew by as we went back down into the Gorge. We had had great views of Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax sitting on the sandstone cliffs of the gorge. Walking out along a pan, we added Grey-headed Bushshrike, and Greater Honeyguide. As we walked, we spotted some Böhm’s Spinetail flying and the guys got good shots of a bird that is extremely hard to photograph. We had to pass the Elephant carcass again found many of the Vultures now on the ground. We did a bush breakfast at Mangala and added Black Stork and Red-crested Korhaan on our way back to camp.
The afternoon drive was to the Limpopo River, where we had sundowners. We were fortunate to see a Leopard as we were about to walk to the river. It flushed and walked into road just as we stopped the vehicle. We added Giant Kingfisher, White-fronted Plover and Spur-winged goose while watching the sun set on the mighty Limpopo. Driving back to camp we were hoping to find the Three-banded Courser again. And just like that two birds were standing in an open patch a short distance from the road. All the photographers were happy, and we had a great sighting of a major target for the area.
Day 4: Mashishiti Spring and Reedbuck Vlei
This morning, we only had a short drive to the starting point of our walk. On this walk were targeting the Brown-necked Parrot and Hopefully Racket-tailed Roller. The Roller was seen in that area the week before. The walk was to Mashishiti Spring. On the way we had a Brown Snake Eagle and a pair of Bennett’s Woodpeckers. We heard the call of the Racket-tailed roller but could not locate the bird. We had planned to have our coffee at the spring. As we stopped, we heard the Parrots call. They flew in landed in a Nyala Berry Tree and then proceeded to fly a circuit around us before landing in a Baobab. All the photographers got great shots in the early morning light. The walk back to the vehicle was uneventful.
This morning the bush breakfast was at Pafuri Picnic site. On the way we saw African Green Pigeons and two Kori Bustards right next to the road, always a great bird to see. We heard the call of Burnt-nec Eremomela and found them quite close to the road at the top of a tree. At breakfast we only added Kurrichane Thrush to the list. Leaving the picnic site, we had a Martial Eagle fly low over our vehicle.
Sundowner drive was to Reedbuck Vlei, a Ramsar site where Yellow-billed Storks breed. On the way an African Harrier-Hawk flew by with a full red flush on the face, incredibly special to see. We did see another bird perched, so assumed it was a mating pair. There were many young Yelow-billed Strorks still on nests and a few juveniles feeding around the pan. We also added Water Thick-knee to the list. After a great sunset we headed back to camp. We had a few nightjars on the road, we added Square-tailed to the list. A greater Spotted Genet also made and appearance. There were also two more sightings of Bronze-winged Courser.
Day 5: Dakamila and Lanner Gorge
Today our target bird was the Mottled Spinetail, we also planned a bush breakfast close to the spot we usually get the Spinetail. Along the way we added White-throated Robin-Chat, Yellow-bellied Greenbul and Southern Black Tit to the list. We stopped at the Mottled Spinetail site and only waited a few minutes before we saw them fly. There were about 8-10 birds flying around us for quite some time. Breakfast was in the Jackalberry Forest. As we walked in, we heard Gorgeous Bushshrike calling but could not get eyes on it. We did have a quick glimpse of a Bearded Scrub Robin though. After a great breakfast we went back to camp and found the resident pair of African Hawk-Eagle flying.
On our last afternoon we drove up to Lanner Gorge, it was a bucket list destination for our guests. Birding was noticeably quiet on the way up; we did try for Arnot’s Chat along the way but unfortunately dipped on that bird. While having sundowners on the top of the gorge we had African Black Swift, Large Rock Martin, Böhm’s Spinetail and one lost Lesser Striped Swallow fly by. A little Eastern Rock Sengi (Elephant Shrew) popped out between the rocks and gave us great photographic opportunities. I was scanning the ridges when I spotted a Verreaux’s Eagle drop behind the mountain, the next thing a pair flew straight towards us, and we had eye-level views of these magnificent birds. That was the best sighting to end our trip on.
Day 6: Walk from EcoTraining Camp
We opted to do a short walk from the camp this morning. Just outside of camp we found Ashy Flycatcher. On the flood plain we added Tawny-flanked Prinia, Common Waxbill, Pin-tailed Whydah and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark. The last bird on our list was an African Goshawk, flying out of the forest. The list ended on 144 species with most of our targets reached. A big thanks goes out to our two trails guides and the camp staff for looking after us so well.