Ollie's Birding Blog: South Africa November 2013: Kruger

I visited South Africa with my girlfriend in November 2013 for three weeks, a spectacular trip with some truly memorable highlights. It wasn't a proper birding trip, but we did spend the majority of the time in 'birdy' places or on safari.Having stayed in the Free State studying southern bald ibis for three months on my gap year, my main aim was to get up into the wildlife-rich north-east of the country, and in particular, go on safari. We flew to Jo'burg, picked up a Nissan Micra (which did admirably well, surviving gravelled and heavily potholed roads, as well as several thousand km on the main artery roads, without a blemish) and headed straight up towards Kruger. Our first night was spent just outside Orpen gate, at Mariepskop View, where I managed to see about forty species in a brief walk around the grounds the next morning. Kruger, needless to say, was absolutely incredible, with dozens of rhino, two cheetah, and a single leopard standing out amongst the mammal highlights, as well as constant bird interest. We spent two nights at Letaba, one at Lower Sabie, one at Skukuza and one at Crocodile Bridge. All had their own merits, with different wildlife seen at and within each camp, but given the chance to repeat the trip, I think we would spend more time around Lower Sabie/Satara and less at Letaba, which is surrounded by miles of Mopane woodland, which can be very quiet for game viewing. Below are some of the ornithological highlights from Kruger:

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