The world famous Kruger National Park is known to support more than 500 bird species, about 60% of the species found in the entire Southern African sub-region. The 20 000 km2 Kruger National Park is, without doubt, the best birding destination in Southern Africa.We offer dedicated day trips in the Kruger Park for birders looking to add some birds to their life lists. Of course, apart from birds, there is also the possibility of encountering the famous Big 5 and many other fascinating creatures, as well as seeing classic African landscapes.Visits to Kruger are generally done as part of a longer and wider-reaching birding or wildlife trip and despite its enormous wealth of birds visitors wanting a more representative Southern African list are advised to combine birding in the Park with other habitats nearby.It is basically a mosaic of lowland savannas and woodlands, bisected by wooded, seasonally flowing rivers, with dams and pans dotted throughout.The Lowveld lies at the convergence of three of southern Africa’s climatic influences. These are the mild influence from the south, a more humid tropical influence from the north, and a dry influence from the west.
How does a day birding tour work?
Our guide will pick up guests early in the morning from where they are staying, as birding is best before it gets too hot. Kruger Park gate times vary throughout the year, but most pick-ups will be at around 5 am depending on where you are staying.We can arrange pick up from your accommodation venue in Nelspruit, Malelane, Marloth Park, Hazyview, or even from your rest camp inside Kruger if you are already in the park. We can also arrange to pick up guests at all the Kruger Park entrance gates in southern Kruger.We will embark on our trip in our custom-built open safari vehicle which afford all guests great comfort and the optimal view of birds, even flying raptors!Your guide will focus on finding you the best birds of the Park.
Top birds
• Pel’s Fishing Owl
• White-backed Night Heron
• African Finfoot
• Black Stork
• Lappet-faced
• White-headed and Cape Vulture
• Pallid Harrier
• African Grass Owl
• Senegal Lapwing
• Thrush Nightingale
• Crowned Eagle
• Gorgeous Bushshrike
• Stierling’s Wren-Warbler and others.
Likely birds:
Woolly-necked, Saddle-billed and Marabou Stork, African Openbill, White-backed and Hooded Vulture, Martial and Tawny Eagle, Bateleur, Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Southern Ground Hornbill, White-crowned Lapwing, Bearded Scrub Robin, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Brown-headed Parrot, Retz’s Helmetshrike and many more.Learning about the trees, animals, insects and general bush and nature around you is also on the cards. And don’t be surprised if you see a few members of Africa’s famous Big 5!
We will stop at picnic spots and rest camps throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and restroom breaks.
Schedule
Pick up at around 05:00 am from October to March and at 05:30 am from April to September.
Drop off between 16h00-17h00 pm.
These times can be adjusted according to your personal needs and situation.
The day trip includes:
• Water, basic raincoats and blankets will be included on the vehicle.
• A professional field guide/specialist with expert knowledge of the park and its birds
• All meals and other drinks are for the client’s own account.
What to pack:
• Sun cream or sunscreen spray
• Hat (preferably with a chin strap so it doesn’t blow away in the wind)
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera and/or a pair of binoculars
• Warm clothing in the winter months
• Rain jacket in the summer months
Our day trips can be combined as an extension before or after your existing Kruger National Park safari with us.