Package Tour - Birds and Big Cats
Categories: Birdwatching / Nature / Wildlife
This itinerary covers the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa’s main wildlife destination, as well as some different and diverse areas such as the 2000 metre grasslands of Dullstroom and the unique mist-belt forest of the escarpment edge. Running roughly from west to east, the tour route begins in Johannesburg and then climbs to it’s highest point in Dullstroom before dropping over the escarpment to the low lying savannah at no more than 300 meters above sea-level. This incredible change in altitude comes without even leaving the Mpumalanga Province and results in a diverse range of habitats and an accordingly diverse bird and mammal list. Birding highlights include the endemics and near-endemics of the high grasslands, the elusive specials of the gloomy mist-belt forest and the sheer number of species in the Kruger National Park and adjacent Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
At a Glance
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg Airport or your hotel to Dullstrrom Highlands
Arrive in Dullstroom for lunch, followed by afternoon birding activity.
Birding and wildlife highlights include Southern Bald Ibis, Denham’s Bustard, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Buff-streaked Chat, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Jackal Buzzard, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Malachite Sunbird, Grey Crowned Crane and many others. Mammals include Blesbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok and Yellow Mongoose.
Overnight: Critchley Hackle
Day 2: Dullstroom Highlands
Early morning excursion to Veloren Valei Nature Reserve in the morning, followed by breakfast and an afternoon birding activity.
Overnight: Critchley Hackle
Day 3: Dullstroom to Nr Pilgrims Rest
Leave Dullstroom after breakfast and head on to Mount Sheba.
Forest birding will be the highlight of your stay here as there is a large patch of indigenous mist-belt forest surrounding the hotel.
Birding and wildlife highlights here include Narina Trogon, Knysna Turaco, Chorister Robin-Chat, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground Thrush, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Cape Batis, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, Olive Bush-Shrike and Olive Woodpecker, among others, as well as the forest-dwelling Samango Monkey.
Overnight: Mount Sheba
Day 4: On the Escarpment
Your second day to explore this area
Overnight: Mount Sheba
Day 5: Mount Sheba to Skukuza Kruger National Park
Leave Mount Sheba early and take in some of the sights of the Panorama Route such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.
Enter Kruger National Park
Birding and wildlife highlights include Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Lilac-breasted Roller, Purple-crested Turaco and the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Cape Buffalo, to mention but a few.
Overnight: Skukuza Camp
Day 6: Skukuza - Kruger National Park to Skukuza -Kruger National Park
Full day in Kruger looking for wildlife and birds as above
Overnight: Skukuza Rest Camp
Day 7: Skukuza - Kruger National Park to Satara Kruger National Park
Leave Skukuza and continue through the Kruger National Park driving towards Satara Rest Camp with its slightly different habitat to Skukuza.
Birding and wildlife highlights include Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Southern Ground Hornbill, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Lilac-breasted Roller, Purple-crested Turaco and the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Cape Buffalo, to mention but a few.
Overnight: Satara Rest Camp
Day 8: Satara Rest Camp - Kruger National Park to Satara Kruger National Park
Another day in the park to search for birds and wildlife in the area
Overnight: Satara Rest Camp
Day 9: Satara Rest Camp - Kruger National Park to Sabi Sands
After a last morning drive in the Kruger depart for the adjacent Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a world-renowned private conservancy of 65 000 hectares and which boasts some of Africa’s finest game viewing.
Your time here will include morning and afternoon open vehicle safaris, where close-up encounters with big game will be the highlight of this wonderful itinerary.
Bush walks, fine food and wine, and alfresco dining under the stars in the boma (open eating area) will complement the game viewing and make for a cherry-on-the-top experience.
Birding and Wildlife highlights include Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, White Rhino, Spotted Hyena, Kudu, Burchell’s Zebra and Blue Wildebeest, among others.
Overnight: Nkorho Bush Camp
Day 10: Sabi Sands
Another day to enjoy the wonderful facilities of the lodge and game drives to search for the Big 5 and birds of the area
Overnight: Nkorho Bush Camp
Day 11: Sabi Sands to Johannesburg Airport or your hotel
After a final safari from Nkorho Bush Camp you will have breakfast and head back to Johannesburg, a seven hour drive away.
make an enquiry, add to my-choices or view other package tours
tour highlights
Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve,
Blyde River Canyon
Private Lodge Experience
travellers' reviews
No reviews yet.
Be the first to write a review about Birds and Big Cats ...
submit your review »add to "my-choices"
With "my-choices" you can contact all of your selected tour operators with just one enquiry form.
+ my-choices »notes
Set Group Departure 04 -14 November 2010
Exclusive tour for Bushcat Safaris
Other dates can be arranged
FREE place for tour leaders-ENQUIRE NOW!
transportation
Tours are conducted in air-conditioned 4X4 vehicles, with game drives in open game viewing vehicles.
You will be picked up and dropped off at either Johannesburg International Airport or your hotel at the beginning of and the conclusion of all tours. Your personal safety and enjoyment is of the utmost importance to us.
credit cards accepted
American Express
Diners
Mastercard
Paypal
Visa
