This two-week tour explored a multitude of habitats and landscapes to target South Africa’s unique birdlife and incredible mammal diversity. Starting in the Western Cape, we toured the endemic-rich fynbos heathland, birded a large saltwater lagoon, and visited the world-famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. A short flight to Johannesburg brought us to high- altitude Grasslands and Afromontane forests of the northern Drakensberg escarpment, later ending in the game-rich Kruger National Park.
Total number of bird species seen: 392
Total number of mammal species seen: 42
BIRD HIGHLIGHTS: African Penguin, Lesser Moorhen, Southern Bald Ibis, Secretarybird, 36 species of raptors (including Ayre’s Hawk-eagle and several vultures), five species of bustards, Blue Crane, Knysna Turaco, Southern Ground Hornbill, European and Purple Roller, Southern Tchagra, Cape Rockjumper, Cape, Eastern and Agulhas
Long-billed Larks, Cape Clapper Lark, Cape and Gurney’s Sugarbird, Buff-streaked Chat, 9 species of sunbirds, and Cape Siskin.
MAMMAL HIGHLIGHTS: Leopard, Lion, Hyena, Bat-eared Foxes, Giraffe, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Eland, Kudu, Klipspringer, Rock Hyrax, and both Cape Mountain and Common Zebra.
