5 Day Kruger Park Birding Safari

This safari is designed with the focus on seeing as many different bird species as possible, but many mammal species will also be seen with fantastic photographic opportunities.

 

Accommodation for the 4 nights in the Kruger Park will be in an en-suit bungalow. These bungalows have their own toilet and showers and some may have a small kitchenette and or veranda. They typically consist of twin beds, but some may have three single beds.

This safari is designed with the focus on seeing as many different bird species as possible, but many mammal species will also be seen with fantastic photographic opportunities.

Meals: Breakfasts and Dinners are provided for the duration of the safari (within the Kruger Park). The reason that lunches are excluded is because breakfasts may be later than normal and we have found most guests skip lunch or are happy to have a few snacks to last until dinner time. Coffee and tea will be available before departure from camp in the mornings, with apples and bananas available on the vehicle during the morning drive. Any additional snacks can be taken along, but should be kept out of site, especially near monkey and baboon sightings.

What to bring with: Cool comfortable clothing; swimwear; sandals or other comfortable shoes during summer months. During winter months at least one warm jacket, gloves and a beanie for drives is recommended. Temperatures on an open safari vehicle can be very cold, especially with an added wind chill factor. Binoculars; camera; sunscreen; mosquito repellent; hat; spending money (can be cash or credit card); any personal medication and toiletries.

Day 1 – Johannesburg to Skukuza Camp

Departing Johannesburg in the early morning you will make your way to the world-famous Kruger National Park where the adventure will begin. En-route however you will drive through varying habitat and already the first species for the trip list will be added.

Upon arrival at the Kruger, the diversity quickly becomes apparent and we start adding the first mammal species to our list. Our accommodation for tonight will be at Skukuza Camp, set on the banks of the Sabie River and home to many great species. A quick check-in and lunch allows us to take in the beauty of the camp before heading out on an afternoon game drive and spending some time at the Lake Panic Bird Hide.

Dinner will be enjoyed at the camp restaurant and we then have time to go through our list of species seen for the day as well as to discuss the program for the next day.

Day 2 – Skukuza to Lower Sabie Camp

This morning we will enjoy a quick walk through the camp before packing up and making our way to Lower Sabie Camp. Within Skukuza Camp we may find Purple-crested Turaco, African Goshawk, White-browed Robin Chat, Ashy Flycatcher, Black-collared Barbet and many other great birds.

Our drive to Lower Sabie Camp has the potential to be very exciting with great scenery and may birds and animals to be seen a long the way. We will look to arrive at camp around lunch time. Lower Sabie Camp is also set on the banks of the Sabie River and therefore has great species within the camp as well as down at the waters edge.

After checking in to our rooms we will have the afternoon to do some exploring of the surrounding area.

Day 3 – Lower Sabie Camp

Today will be made up of many more great sightings as we continue to explore the area. The idea being to drive through and spend time in different habitats. Besides all the bird species, this area is also home to big cats like leopards and lions and even cheetah within the open grasslands.

There will be breaks during the day to enjoy breakfast and lunch as well as to stretch your legs and admire the beauty of the park. Your trip list would have grown substantially by now and will continue to grow over the coming days.

Dinner will be enjoyed at the camp restaurant which has a beautiful view over the Sabie River.

Day 4 – Lower Sabie Camp to Pretoriuskop Camp

With an early start we pack up and today make our way to the western side of the park and in particular to Pretoriuskop Camp. The area around Pretoriuskop is very different to the rest of the park and therefore also a good place for seeing species we may probably not have seen up until now. Depending on the route we decide on and the quality of the sightings along the way we will look to get to our camp in the early afternoon. Stops will be made along the way for breakfast and toilet breaks. Since the drive to our camp may take some time, the afternoon will be spent doing some birding within the camp so we can get those legs moving again. The camp itself has many great species.

We will hope to see the Brown-headed Parrots, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds, Red-headed Weavers and southern Africa’s smallest species, the, diminutive Grey Penduline Tit.

Day 5 – Pretoriuskop Camp to Johannesburg via the Panorama Route

Our safari is now drawing to a close, but not before we see the beauty of the Panorama route with the 3rd largest ‘green’ canyon in the world. As we get to the top of the escarpment you will enjoy breath taking views of the surrounding area, stop at a waterfall and add several more species to your list that typically prefer the higher altitudes. We will stop en-route for lunch and look to get back into Johannesburg in the late afternoon.

Trip Considerations

Camps Mentioned: Camps mentioned in this itinerary may change due to availability.

Pace: This is a moderately paced safari, with minimal walking due to it being within a National Park. Quite a lot of time will be spent within open safari vehicles driving in search of various species with some exploring within camps on foot. Days can be long with most mornings requiring a 05h30am or earlier start. Where possible we will have a break during the midday heat. Stops may also be made at picnic sites or other areas where leaving the vehicle is permitted.

Climate: The Kruger Park is at an average altitude of around 350m above sea level and is within a summer rainfall area. The summer months (October to April) can be warm to hot and balmy. Late afternoon and evening thundershowers can be expected. The winter months (May to August) are dominated by clear skies and warm weather.

Early mornings and evenings can be cool and even chilly. Rain is not expected during these months. It is advisable to choose a departure date that suits the climate you would prefer

** Terms & Conditions apply ** Valid from 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2022 only. **

 

Transfers from and to the airport, as well as to the Kruger National Park, is in a 12-seater bus, and game drives are guided and take place in open safari vehicles so as to offer the best possible game viewing experience. Our vehicles provide guests with the highest possible levels of safety and comfort.

• Road transfers to and from the Kruger Park from Johannesburg.
• Accommodation for 4 nights in an en-suite chalet while in the Kruger Park.
• Breakfasts, Dinners.
• Bottled water during drives.
• Coffee and tea before morning drives.
• Open safari vehicle for all drives within the Kruger Park.
• Daily conservation fees and entrance fees to the Kruger National Park.
• A professional, qualified and specialist bird guide for the duration of your safari in the Kruger Park.
• A printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings. The Panorama Route on the last day for people returning to Johannesburg.

• Flights to and from South Africa.
• Pre and post safari accommodation – See www.outlooklodges.com for accommodation close to the airport in Johannesburg.
• Lunches.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal items.
• Medical fees.
• Other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included.