swaziland – malolotja – mlawula- 3 night trip

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Reach Africa
Birding and Getaways
Tel: 011 475 7436
Cell: 082 577 2102
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P.O Box 409
Allens Nek
1737
Roodepoort, South Africa
Reach Africa Birding
Image © Per Holmen
EASTERN CAPE
12 DAY TRIP:
19 to 30 November 2014
The Eastern Cape is the main meeting point of the country’s biomes and
the birding is a diverse mixture of western endemics and tropical eastern
species. The tropical influence and varied habitat results in an extremely
high bird diversity and the area that we visit holds the prospect of finding
numerous highly sought after species.
We leave Johannesburg bright and early and head for our first overnight
destination, Garingboom Guest Farm, near Colesburg and the Gariep
Dam. Special birds to be found here are Burchell’s Courser, Orange
River and Grey-winged Francolin, Melodious Lark (after good rains) and
African Rock Pipit.
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After some early morning birding and a hearty Karoo breakfast, we
proceed to Camdeboo National Park, near Graaff Reinet.
Camdeboo National Park was proclaimed as South
Africa's 22nd National Park on 30 October 2005.
Camdeboo National Park provides one with insights
into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the
Karoo as well as its splendid scenic beauty. The
greater portion of the Park is situated between 740
and 1480 metres above sea level on the foothills of
the Sneeuberg range, while a small section of the low
lying plains is included. An interesting feature of the
14,500 ha Park is its very unique and unusual
location. It practically surrounds the historical town of
Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Nqweba Dam lies
within the park and covers about 1000 ha when full.
The Park’s major tourism draw card is the scenic Valley of Desolation, a
national monument, while its game viewing area is home to Buffalo and
antelope such as Eland, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Springbok and
Blesbok.
At least 225 bird species have been recorded in the Park, with an
interesting ecotonal mix including species typical of both the Great Karoo
and Eastern regions.
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Birding attractions include Black Stork, Verreaux’s Eagle, Booted Eagle,
Kori Bustard, Ludwig’s Bustard, Karoo Korhaan, Blue Crane, Greywinged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Southern Tchagra, Layard’s Titbabbler, Grey Tit, Cape Penduline-Tit, Namaqua Warbler and Pririt Batis,
We spend one night in comfortable furnished tents in Lakeview Tented
Camp, situated on the floodplain of the Nqweba Dam.
Our next destination is Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock,
where we spend our next two nights.
This Park may be unique in having as many as 20 species of birds
endemic to Southern Africa. It consists of a rugged landscape of
mountains, grassy plains, bushy hillsides and rocky gorges. The birding
is excellent
The park is ideal habitat for Verreaux’s and Booted Eagle, Lanner Falcon
and Cape Eagle-Owl which all breed there. Ground Woodpecker, Cape
Rock-Thrush and African Rock Pipit are rock loving birds to watch for
while Layard’s Tit-babbler, Dusky Sunbird and Black-headed Canary
occur in hillside shrubs. Rufous-eared Warbler, Sickle-winged Chat and
Eastern Clapper, Thick-billed and Spike-heeled Lark are resident
breeders. Eastern Long-billed Lark, Long-billed Pipit, Grey-backed
Cisticola, Southern Tchagra and Namaqua Warbler are all regularly
seen. The park is home to 6 species of Canary, namely, Yellow-eyed,
Black-throated, Cape, Black-headed, Brimstone, White-throated and
Streaky-headed Seedeater.
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The Park is also home to numerous mammal species including recently
introduced Lion, Black Rhino, Buffalo, Eland, Kudu and, of course, Cape
Mountain Zebra.
We head eastwards, via Queenstown, to Stutterheim where we spend
our next two nights in cottages at the very edge of the Kologha Forest.
This forest is a fine example of Afromontane forest, and is one of the
most extensive tracts of indigenous forest outside of the Tsitsikamma.
Birding in and around the forest is spectacular. During the months of
October to December one may hear Orange Ground -Thrush calling and
good sightings of this elusive species can be expected. Robins to be
seen include White-starred Robin, Brown Scrub-Robin and Chorister
Robin-Chat. Knysna Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo and Narina Trogon
are always present. Olive and Knysna Woodpecker are common, while
Mountain Wagtail is found along the forest streams. Grey Cuckooshrike,
Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, Dark-backed Weaver and Bluemantled Crested Flycatcher are regularly encountered. Raptors include
African Crowned and Long-crested Eagle. Cape Parrot roost and nest in
the forest and can readily be seen at early morning or in the evenings
returning to their roosting sites. Many people come to the area to see
Red-winged Francolin, which is quite common. Both Buff-spotted and
Red-chested Flufftail can be heard
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The montane grassland above the forest often yields Buff-streaked Chat,
Ground Woodpecker, Cape and Gurney’s Sugarbird and various pipits
and cisticolas.
Our next port of call is the Wavecrest Hotel, situated some 160 km north
of East London, along the spectacular Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape.
This is a true paradise for birders. It is on the edge of a crystal clear
lagoon, fed by two mangrove lined rivers which weave through pristine
forest where over 300 bird species have been recorded. The estuary at
the mouth of the Nxaxo and Nxusi Rivers forms the epicentre of birding
in the area. A boat trip at high tide up the river is usually very rewarding.
The Mangrove Kingfisher, one of seven kingfisher species found here, is
abundant during summer and the estuarine mudflats usually yield wader
species such as Sanderling, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Whimbrel.
Large flocks of terns often roost on the sandbanks closer to the river
mouth and include Swift, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern. The
dunes adjacent to the Nxaxo River are covered in dune forest which
contains several forest specials such as Narina Trogon, Spotted GroundThrush, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Crowned and Trumpeter
Hornbill, Red-fronted Tinkerbird and Knysna Woodpecker.
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The grassland adjacent to the forest patches holds Black-winged
Lapwing, Red-necked Spurfowl, Cape and Yellow-throated Longclaw,
Black Saw-wing and Banded Martin. However, the major drawcard to
Wavecrest must surely be the resident Grey Crowned Cranes which
come to roost on an island in the estuary every evening.
After two glorious days at the Wavecrest Hotel, we set sail for the quaint
and picturesque village of Rhodes, which lies in the north-eastern corner
of the Eastern Cape. We will be staying in the local hotel. Rhodes lies
at the foot of the Naude’s Nek Pass which, at 2740m, is the highest
mountain pass in South Africa. This area has spectacular mountain
scenery, sandstone formations, unspoilt valleys, rolling grassland and air
crisper and cleaner than you will find anywhere else in the country. This
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is without doubt one of the finest birding destinations in South Africa.
Cape and Bearded Vulture are common as are Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker and Drakensberg Siskin which can be
found with some regularity during a drive up the Pass.
Mountain Pipit, Sickle-winged and Buff-streaked Chat, Grey-winged
Francolin and Sentinel and Cape Rock-Thrush, are all regularly seen at
the summit, while the prospects of seeing Barratt’s Warbler, Grey
Crowned Crane, Denham’s Bustard and Wailing Cisticola in the
surrounding grassland are very good.
The Golden Gate National Park is located in the north eastern part of
Free State and derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by
the sun on the sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock.
The area is famous for its captivating scenery, spectacular geology and
invigorating climate. Vegetation in the Reserve consists mainly of
wooded ravines, gullies and grasslands.
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Birding in the Park is excellent. Bearded and Cape Vultures are
often seen at the vulture restaurant. Magnificent sandstone cliffs
provide breeding habitat for Verreaux’s Eagle, Jackal Buzzard,
Lanner and Peregrine Falcon, Black Stork and Rock Kestrel.
Ground Woodpecker, Buff-streaked Chat, African Rock Pipit and
Sentinel Rock-Thrush frequent rocky slopes. Alpine, Black and
Horus Swifts soar overhead and with some luck Cape Eagle-Owl
may be encountered after dark.Areas of short grass are favoured
by Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Crane and Secretarybird. Moist
grasslands hold Cape Grassbird, Wailing Cisticola, and Yellowcrowned Bishop while areas of scattered proteas may produce
Gurney’s Sugarbird and Malachite Sunbird.
We spend the last night of this remarkable trip in The Basotho
Cultural Village Rest Camp which nestles on the eastern side of the
Park. The camp resembles an 18th century Basotho Village where the
Basotho lifestyle, architecture and hospitality is the order of the day.
We for Johannesburg the next day at about lunch time at the conclusion
of a memorable trip.

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