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general area was inhabited by iron-age peoples
from 900 AD, who were even trading with the East
at that time. The park is divided into eastern and
western sections, with the eastern section
dominated by spectacular orange sandstone
formations, while the west has some spectacular
gallery forest along the banks of the Limpopo
River. Birds we will be on the lookout for include
Meyer’s Parrot, Tropical Boubou, Meves’s
Starling, Grey-backed Camaroptera,
Monotonous Lark, Kori Bustard, Temminck’s and
Three-banded Coursers, Freckled Nightjar and
Southern White-faced Scops-Owl. Mammals in
the national park include Elephant, Lion, Giraffe,
Klipspringer, the desert-adapted Gemsbok and
Eland and, if we are lucky, the scare African Wild
Dog. We have two nights at Leokwe Camp, and
spend our time out on morning and afternoon
game drives, interspersed with some rest and
relaxation in the camp.
Days 10 to 12
Moving on from Mapungubwe we cross over the
Limpopo at Pontdrift Border Post and head into
the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana,
one of the most spectacular of Southern Africa’s
wildlife regions. We have three nights at Mashatu
Tented Camp which adds up to a relaxed but
species-rich birding experience. We partake in
open-vehicle game drives which take us along
the river, where the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl is
known to occur, as well as into the arid hinterland
away from the river. Other birds we can look for
include Three-banded and Bronze-winged
Coursers, Bateleur, Kori Bustard, Pearl-spotted
Owlet, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle,
Yellow-bellied Eremomela and Swallow-tailed
Bee-Eater. The mammal component is equally
interesting and we can look out for Elephant,
Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Bat-eared and
Cape Foxes, African Wild Cat, Aardwolf, Brown
Hyena plus small mammals such as Lesser
Bushbaby, Banded Mongoose, Springhare and
Large-spotted Genet. With the lunar-like
weathered sandstone formations, primordial
Baobabs and incredible wildlife, this should be
the cherry-on-the-top experience of this fantastic
safari.
Day 13
After some final bird watching at Mashatu we
head back across the Limpopo and we bid
farewell to Kipling’s river. We drive through the
city of Polokwane, our last port-of-call for the tour
and if time allows in the afternoon we can drive
through the Polokwane Nature Reserve, best
known as one of the bests spots for finding
Short-clawed Lark, while the arid busveld habitat
holds a plethora of exciting bird species, such as
Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-eared and
Black-cheeked Waxbills, Green Wood-hoopoe,
Acacia Pied Barbet and many others. There’s
also a wide range of antelope to be seen in the
reserve, including Tsessebe, Red Hartebeest,
Roan and Sable.
Days 14 & 15
After breakfast we plan on a last few birding
sessions before the tour comes to an end. We
may have time for another visit to the Polokwane
Nature Reserve, in case the Short-clawed Lark
eluded us the previous day, while the
Zaagkuisdrift Road can provide several hours of
birding. Later we drive to the airport where we
catch our flight to London, which arrives the
following morning.
Southern Ground Hornbill
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Depart London
Day 2 Magoebaskloof,
Days 3-4 Letaba, Kruger National Park
Days 5-7 Punda Maria,
Kruger National Park
Days 8-9 Mapungubwe National Park
Days 10-12 Northern Tuli Game Reserve,
Botswana
Day 13 Polokwane
Day 14 Depart Johannesburg
Day 15 Arrive London
Party Size
Maximum of 12 clients (two leaders with more
than six clients).
Accommodation
Comfortable accommodation in twin/double
and single rooms, with private facilities in
lodges, hotels and National Park restcamps.
Transport
By minibus.
S O U T H A F R I C A & B O T S W A N A
Crested Guineafowl
Includes
All flights, meals, accommodation, transport,
entry fees, services of the leaders, airport
taxes and tips.
Gradings
Good/Tented
300
Warm
Moderate
Special
Moderate
Good
Easy
Scheduled
Bateleur
To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445
47