The Kruger National Park (Northern Sector)

INTRODUCTION

The Kruger National Park, situated in the north-east of South Africa is 340 km long, 60 km wide and nearly 2 million hectares in extent. In excess of 450 species are found in the park and over 200 can be seen in a few days (summer). Because of its size, the park has a great variety of habitats. The main vegetation types are broadleafed combretum and terminalia or marula woodland mixed with acacia in the southern half and mopane woodland in the north. Tourist roads take one past riverine forest and woodland, along major rivers and to many viewsites at dams and pans. In the centre and north there are areas of open country including grassy plains and marshes. Most Birding must be done from a car, although guided trails on foot can be undertaken. Birding is often excellent in the restcamps and at picnic sites.

PAFURI & PUNDA MARIA

The northernmost part of the park is most rewarding birdwise, both in terms of the numbers seen and the range of specials. This part of the park is hot and dry and is predominantly covered with Mopane scrub, Mopane woodland or red bushwillow Savannah. Around Punda Maria, mature Mopane woodland, areas of mixed woodland and the Sandveld to the west and north are the most interesting. The Levuvhu River, north of Punda Maria has a wide belt of diverse riverine woodland and forest, and this area is undoubtedly on of the best birding spots in Southern Africa.

BIRDS

A range of species reach the southern limit of their distribution here are cannot be seen elsewhere in South Africa. These include Bohm's and Mottled Spinetail, Tropical Boubou, Longtailed Starling, Dickinsons Kestrel, Yellowbilled Oxpecker, Pennantwinged Nightjar, Whitebreasted Cuckoo Shrike, Racketailed Roller and Thrush Nightingale. Others specials in the area include Crested Guineafowl, Pel's Fishing Owl, Narina Trogon, Wattle-eyed Flycatcher, Lemonbreasted Canary, African Finfoot, Whitecrowned Plover, Openbilled & Black Stork, Cuckoo Hawk, Redfronted Helmetshrike, Broadbilled Roller, Greencapped Eremomela, Mosque Swallow, Cape Parrot, Yellowspotted Nicator, Barred Owl, Gorgeous Bush Shrike and Trumpeter Hornbill. Raptors are plentiful and include the "big 3" eagles (Martial, Verreaux's & Crowned), White-headed, Hooded and Lappet Faced Vulture; and a range of accipiters.

BIRDING

1. PAFURI should be visited as a priority as early in the morning as possible. Leave Punda Maria when the gate opens, or better still, come in at the Pafuri Gate. As you approach the Pafuri bridge from the south, wind down your windows and start listening ! Drive onto the start of the bridge which passes through tall Riverine Forest. Scan the trees for Yellowspotted Nicator, Tropical Boubou and Greencapped Eremomela. Stop at the bridge over the river and look out for Spinetails (Mottled often together with swifts above the bridge), African Finfoot, Openbilled and Black Stork and Whitecrowned Plover. Scan the skies above for raptors. Go back and follow the eastern loop. This loop should be traced carefully as a great variety of species are possible, particularly in summer. Stop regularly and listen for Thrush Nightingale (common in February '97), Yellowspotted Nicator, Heuglins Robin and Gorgeous Bush Shrike. Scan large trees for Giant Eagle or Pel's Fishing Owl as well as Narina Trogon. Look carefully around clumps of Hyphenae palms for signs of Lemonbreasted Canary. After completing the Eastern end of the loop, spend some time at the Picnic Site, where one can follow a path a short way into the Riverine Forest. Then follow the western end of the loop which passes beneath rugged cliffs - a good spot for Verreaux's Eagle, you should spot a number of birds on this part of the loop which you missed on the Eastern part. On the way back to Punda Maria stop at the Klopperfontein Dam which is a good place for Dickinson's Kestrel.

2. MAHONIE LOOP should also be covered in the morning and you should allow at least three hours to do justice to this drive. Brownheaded and Cape Parrot Crested Guineafowl, Purple Crested Lourie, Crowned Hornbill, Stierlings Barred Warbler, Redbilled Helmetshrike, Redheaded Weaver, Mosque Swallow, Broadbilled Roller (tall mopanie stands) are some of the species which are likely to be seen.

3. PUNDA MARIA RESTCAMP

The camp is an excellent place for birding. It is host to Barred, Scops and Giant Eagle Owl. In summer take a night drive for possible sightings of Pennant-winged Nightjar. Bearded and Whitethroated Robin, Redbilled Waxbill, Yellowbellied Bulbul, Whitenecked Raven. Keep an eye in the sky above as raptors and Marabou Stork often soar above. African Hawk, Brown Snake and Wahlberg's Eagle are frequent. In the camp itself look out for Little Sparrowhawk while African Goshawk may be seen displaying overhead in the early morning.

MOPANE AND LETABA

Situated amidst flat Mopane country, Mopane and Letaba are not as rewarding as the far north. Nevertherless this area is host to a range of interesting birds. Specials for this area include Redwinged Pratincole, Yellow Wagtail (summer), Natal Robin, Arnot's Chat, Montagu's Harrier and Harlequin Quail.

BIRDING

MOPANE RESTCAMP

Redbilled Buffalo Weaver, Mocking Chat. Pearlspotted and Scops Owl. Natal Francolin. White-fronted and Carmine Bee-eater (summer) can all be seen in this restcamp which has more natural vegetation inside the camp than some of the older camps. The camp has been assisted by the creation of Pioneer Dam which has been full for the last two years. A good spot to scan the surroundings is above the ladies bar near the restaurant. Here you can see Mosque Swallow, and a range of Waterbirds. Redwinged Pratincole usually sit on exposed sandbanks or soar overhead.

Apart from Buffalo and Lion, a night drive usually produces Bronzewinged Courser, Water and Spotted Dikkop, Giant Eagle and Marsh Owl, as well as Mocambique, and Fierynecked Nightjar.

Around Mopane

The Nshawu dam to the east is an excellent spot for waterbirds. Waders include Kittlitz's and Ringed Plover, Curlew and Marsh Sandpiper. Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Hottentot Teal are all, likely. This is a regular spot for Yellow Wagtail (summer)

To the north west, the road from Nshawu splits and goes back to the West crossing a wide plain. In the summer of 96/97, Montagu's Harrier and Harlequin Quail were "common", at least four of the former being present on the plains. This is usually a good area for Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, Ground Hornbill and Ostrich, as well as Lesser Kestrel (summer)

LETABA

This is a good restcamp for birding. Woodland Kingfisher(summer), Black Flycatcher, Natal Robin, Mourning Dove and Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling are all present in the camp. The camping area and the walk along the river frontage of the camp are excellent after a hot game drive. Drive along the river road to the north takes one through patches of acacia thicket and riverine trees. Raptors such as Bateleur and Black-breasted Snake Eagle and African Fish Eagle are common, while the river attracts Marabou and Openbilled Stork.

Soon here : Kruger park trip lists !