South Africa Winter bird tour

Day 1: Arrival.
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport you will be transferred to your Hotel for the night.

Day 2: Onwards to Magoebaskloof.
We will begin our journey early this morning for a full day of birding. Our first stop will be Polokwane, the vibrant capital of Limpopo Province. Known for its mix of bushveld habitats and urban green spaces, Polokwane offers excellent birding, with opportunities to spot species unique to the region.

From there, we’ll continue to Tzaneen, a picturesque sub-tropical town surrounded by plantations and lush mountain scenery. Tzaneen is famous for its warm climate, abundant fruit farms, and scenic landscapes—an ideal setting to enjoy a relaxed lunch before we move on.

In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Magoebaskloof, a misty mountainous area renowned for its indigenous forests, waterfalls, and rich birdlife. We’ll settle into our accommodation for the evening, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of this high-altitude wilderness.

Our targets for the day will be Short-clawed & Pink-billed Larks, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Tinkling Cisticola, Northern Black Korhaan, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Greater Kestrel, Yellow & Black-throated Canary, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Black-faced & Violet-eared Waxbill, Scaly Weaver, Black-chested Prinia, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Magpie Mannikin, Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, Purple-crested Turaco, White-browed Robin-Chat, African Skimmer, Bat Hawk, Cape Parrot, Brown Scrub Robin, Chorister Robin-Chat and Olive Thrush.

Day 3: Onwards to Swadini.
We will set out early once again this morning, with another full day of birding ahead. Our first destination is a renowned birding lodge, where we will embark on a specially arranged game drive in search of the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl—one of Africa’s most sought-after birding treasures and very likely to be a highlight of the entire trip. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter a variety of other forest and riverine species that inhabit this unique area.

Later in the day, we’ll make our way to Swadini, a scenic retreat nestled at the foot of the Drakensberg escarpment. We’ll conclude the day with a short walk from the lodge along the Blyde River.

Some of the birds we will see today included Knysna Turaco, Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, White-starred Robin, Cape Batis, Forest Canary, Green Twinspot, Cape Grassbird, Drakensberg Prinia, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Hooded Vulture, Saddle-billed Stork, White-crowned Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, Trumpeter Hornbill, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Red-headed Weaver, Verreaux’s Eagle, Cape Vulture, African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, Half-collared Kingfisher, Mountain Wagtail, African Wood and Spotted Eagle Owls. 

Day 4-5: Kruger National Park (Orpen rest Camp).
We may enjoy a more relaxed breakfast this morning before departing for the legendary Kruger National Park. Our destination is Orpen Rest Camp, where we’ll be spending the next two nights. Situated in the central-western region of the park, Orpen is known for its open savanna landscapes, excellent predator sightings, and reliable waterholes that attract a wide variety of wildlife. It’s an ideal base from which to experience the diversity and excitement this part of Kruger has to offer.

On both evenings, we’ll head out on guided night drives, giving us the rare opportunity to explore the park after dark. These excursions offer the chance to spot nocturnal species such as hyenas, civets, genets, owls, nightjars, bush babies, and—if we’re fortunate—some of the big cats on the move. The night sky, the sounds of the bush, and the thrill of searching for elusive creatures will make these outings unforgettable highlights of our stay.

On our full day in the park, we’ll include a guided morning bush walk—an experience that is sure to be one of the highlights of the trip. Venturing out on foot with expert rangers offers an entirely different perspective of the Kruger wilderness. We’ll learn to read tracks, identify smaller creatures and plants often missed from a vehicle, and fully immerse ourselves in the sounds and scents of the early-morning bush. This intimate, slow-paced exploration brings us closer to nature and provides a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that make Kruger so remarkable.

Apart from viewing the regular Kruger Birds & Mammals we will hope to add these to our ever growing lists, Senegal Lapwing, Brown-headed Parrot, Hooded & White-backed & Lappet-faced & White-headed Vulture, Marico Sunbird, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Purple Roller, Bateleur, Southern Ground Hornbill, African Scops Owl, Fiery-necked & Square-tailed Nightjar and Birmingham Pride, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Terrestrail Brownbul, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Bearded Scrub Robin and African Barred Owlet.

Day 6: Onwards South of Kruger National Park to Mjejane Game Reserve.
Today will be a longer driving day, but travelling through Kruger never disappoints. The changing landscapes, busy waterholes, and constant possibility of wildlife encounters make the journey itself an unforgettable part of the experience. As we gradually work our way south through the park, we will have opportunities to explore new habitats and perhaps spot species we haven’t yet encountered.

By late afternoon, we’ll exit the park near the southern boundary and continue to our lodge in the Mjejane Game Reserve. Situated along the banks of the Crocodile River, Mjejane forms part of the greater Kruger ecosystem and is known for its excellent game viewing and peaceful riverfront setting. From the comfort of the lodge, it’s not uncommon to see elephants, hippos, and a variety of plains game right from the deck—offering the perfect place to unwind after a full day on the road.

Birds we could add to our list include White-browed & Red-capped & White-throated Robin-Chats, Purple-crested Turaco, Scarlet-chested and Collared Sunbirds.

Day 7: Mjejane Game Reserve
This morning, we will set out to explore the diverse birding habitats surrounding Mjejane, beginning our journey in the Louw’s Creek area. This productive stretch of the Lowveld offers a mix of agricultural lands, riverine thickets, and open woodland—excellent terrain for spotting raptors, rollers, kingfishers, and a variety of bushveld species.

From there, we will continue toward Coopersdal, where the habitat transitions into classic Lowveld savanna and scattered thornveld. This route often provides opportunities to encounter hornbills, woodpeckers, bee-eaters, and other regional specials that thrive in these ecosystems.

By midday, we’ll arrive in Berg-en-Dal for a relaxed lunch. Set against granite koppies and lush riverine vegetation, the camp is a scenic haven for birders, and even a quick stop can produce sightings like Purple-crested Turaco, kingfishers, starlings, and a range of woodland species.

After lunch and some time exploring the area, we’ll make our way back to our lodge in Mjejane. As the day cools, we’ll head out again for another memorable sunset drive—an ideal time for encountering nocturnal species as they begin to stir, as well as enjoying the soft golden light that brings the bushveld to life.

Birds we will be on the lookout for today include Pink-throated Twinspot, Purple-banded Sunbird, Rudd’s Apalis, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Rufous-winged Cisticola, Crowned Eagle, Bushveld Pipit, Pale Flycatcher, Dark-backed Weaver, Olive Sunbird, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Eastern Golden Weaver, Collared Pratincole, Eastern Nicator, Black-crowned Night Heron, Temminck’s Courser, Grey-rumped Swallow, Buffy Pipit plus all the regular Kruger birds and of cause the many mammal sighting we are bound to enjoy.