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Nestling Tour's Itinerary for South Africa in 2008 Continued   ........ including Kruger National Park Sunday, Oct 26  Grootvadersbosch Forest to Garden Route An early start to the day, we allow us to look for a few key species before we enjoy a picnic brunch overlooking the forest canopy below. Target birds include Forest Buzzard, Olive Pigeon, Gray Cuckoo Shrike, Forest Canary, Brimstone (Bully) Canary, Cape Batis, Terrestrial Bulbul, Swee Waxbill, African Goshawk, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Knysna Scrub Warbler, and Olive Woodpecker.  With some luck, we may find the extremely difficult to find Knysna Woodpecker.  We then head further east to the Garden Route and bird a number of forest trails.  We will also visit two strategically placed hides on the edge of one of the larger lakes in the district. On the way to our evening lodging, we will stop to check for African Black Duck and Half- collared Kingfisher on a tidal creek.  For the night's lodging, we will stay at a guest house on the edge of the coastal forest. Monday, Oct 27  Wilderness and the Lake District We will spend a full day exploring the forests and wetlands in the Wilderness and the Lake District area with the following target species in mind: Red-necked Francolin, Eastern Black-headed Oriole, Burchell’s Coucal, Lesser Honeyguide, Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon, Chorister Robin, Starred Robin, Black-bellied Starling, Knysna Scrub Warbler, Black-backed Puffback Shrike, Streaky-headed Canary, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Terrestrial Bulbul, Green Wood Hoopoe, Tanbourine Dove, and Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove.  If crakes are calling, we could attempt to call up the shy and extremely secretive Buff-spotted Flufftail with its "foghorn-like" call.  Visits to the hides on the edge of the lake system can reward the group with views of Black Crake, Malachite Kingfisher, Great Crested Grebe, Southern Pochard, African Fish Eagle, Osprey, Lesser Swamp Warbler, and African Reed (Marsh) Warbler and possibly Red-chested Flufftail.  Overnight back at the guest house. Tuesday, Oct 28 Wilderness to Kruger Park The next morning and early departure (5:15 AM) is required to reach George Airport (about 30 minutes away) to check in for flights to Johannesburg.  On arrival in Johannesburg before 9 AM, we will then transfer for a flight to Nelspruit at 11:30 AM. On arrival at Nelspruit at about 12:30 PM, we will pick up our minibus and depart for Crocodile Bridge at the southern end of the Kruger National Park. This time of day will be perfect for birding the immediate area of Kruger National Park, which is also home to a large portion of the Park’s rhinocerous population.  The mixture of woodland and riverine bush holds a wide variety of some of South Africa's most colorful and enigmatic bird species.  Amongst these, we could expect to see Paradise Flycatcher, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Red-headed Weaver, Cape Glossy Starling, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Arrow-marked Babbler, and Chin-spot Batis, to mention a few of the bushveld birds.  Water birds found along the river include Green-backed Heron, Goliath Heron, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Wire-tailed Swallow, and Pied Wagtail.  We may also find African Finfoot, if we are extremely fortunate.  We overnight in comfortable bungalows at one of the many rest camps at or near Krueger National Park. Wednesday, Oct 29 Lower Sabie to Skukuza After birding the camp area in the morning,  we will make our way westwards along a matrix of side roads to Skukuza which is situated at the confluence of the Sand and Sabie rivers. Birdlife at Skukuza is prolific, and a walk around the rest camp area will be our first priority as we search the thorn trees for Burnt-necked Eremomela, Southern Black Flycatcher, Brubru, Marico Sunbird, and Grey Tit-Flycatcher. Dense thickets support Terrestrial Brownbul, Gray-backed Cameroptera, White-throated Robin Chat, White-browed Robin Chat, and Red-capped Robin Chat.  Larger trees in the camp and along the river are good for Eastern Black-headed Oriole, African Green Pigeon, Black-collared Barbet, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, White-bellied Sunbird, Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Violet-backed Starling, and Southern Black Tit.  Open areas are good for both ‘glossy’ starlings – Cape Starling and Greater Blue-eared Starling.  We should also find Kurrichane Thrush along with a good number of other species.  Checking the river could produce additional water bird sightings to those listed for Lower Sabie.  Overnight at one of the rest camps at or near Krueger National Park. Thursday, Oct 30 Skukuza to Pretoriuskop After breakfast we set off on a circular drive embracing the Sand and Sabie rivers before heading south west towards Pretoriuskop. This route traverses across several distinct habitat types and we can expect to pick up a considerable number of additional sightings for our list including Woodland Kingfisher, White-browed Scrub Robin, Southern White-crowned Shrike, Gray Hornbill, Magpie Shrike, White Helmet Shrike, Bearded Woodpecker and Golden-breasted Bunting. Overgrazed areas with scattered thorn trees will be checked for Red-billed Hornbill, Senegal and Crowned Lapwing, Sabota Lark and Burchell’s Starling. Rocky outcrops will be scanned for Striped Pipit and Mocking Cliff-Chat. These are but a few of the many sightings to look forward to within what is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse parts of the Kruger Park. Mammals are also particularly well represented in this sector. Overnight in comfortable bungalows at or near Krueger National Park. Friday, October 31 Pretoriuskop to Johannesburg International Airport In the morning, we bird the vicinity of the camp and then leave the Kruger National Park for the Abel Erasmus Tunnel.  At the Tunnel, we hope to obtain a sighting of the rare and highly endangered Taita Falcon.  As of the year 2007, only three breeding pairs exist along the entire length of the Drakensberg Escarpment.  Next, we travel on to the highveld and off to Johannesburg and bird along the way to pick up sightings new to our expanding list.   On reaching Johannesburg, those folks, who are not choosing to continue on with the extension trip, will check in at the international terminal for the trip back home.   The remaining group members, who will enjoy the extension trip, will check in to a nice lodgings near the airport for the night.

Nestling Tour's Itinerary for South Africa in 2008: Itinerary Saturday, Oct 18 Cape Town Link up with our local representative and travel through to Simon’s Town.  After checking in, we cross the Cape peninsula to check out the Atlantic seaboard with opportunities to see Bank Cormorant, Cape Cormorant, White-breasted (Great) Cormorant, and Crowned Cormorant. Other good sightings along the rocky shore include African Black Oystercatcher, White-fronted Plover, Pied Kingfisher and Little Egret.  Heading towards Cape Point through the scenic Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, we will search for Grassbird, Spotted Prinia, Gray-backed Cisticola, Cape Bulbul, Familiar Chat, Cape Francolin and Rock (Common) Kestrel. Taking a side route to the coast, we will search for Cape Sugarbird, Jackal Buzzard, Cape Bunting, Cape White-eye, and Red-winged Starling.  From the heights above Cape Point, we will scan for Peregrine Falcon and Cape Siskin as well as continuing our search for a few more pelagic seabirds. Nest stop will be the famous Boulder’s Coastal Park where we will enjoy close up views of African Penguin coming ashore in the late afternoon. Overnight in Simon’s Town. Sunday, Oct 19 Pelagic Trip Given adequate weather, our pelagic trip starts at 7 AM, as we head towards the deep sea trawling grounds about 35 nautical miles southwest of Cape Point. On the way out, we will encounter Cape Gannet, White-chinned Petrel, and Sooty Shearwater. Soon after rounding spectacular Cape point, we can expect our first sighting of Shy Albatross and either of the two Yellow-nosed Albatross (Atlantic or Indian). Crossing birds could include Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Cory Shearwater, Arctic Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Arctic Tern, Wilson’s Storm Petral, and European Storm Petrel.  All being well, the sighting of an active trawler or pole boat could add Black-browed Albatross, Northern & Southern Giant Petrel, and the rare Spectacled Petrel to the pelagic list. Other possibilities for October include Great-winged Petrel, Great Shearwater, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Sub-Antarctic Skua, Pomerine Skua and Black-bellied Storm Petrel on northbound migration at this time of year.   We may also see several species of dolphins and whales, and Cape Fur Seal.  The odd Sunfish could add a further dimension of excitement to the day. Overnight in Simon’s town. Monday, Oct 20 Cape Peninsula Birding commences with an early start for Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in search of Southern Boubou Shrike, Cape Batis, Black Sawwing Swallow, African Goshawk, Black Goshawk, Olive Thrush, Sombre Bulbul, Cape Robin Chat, Forest and Cape Canary, Knysna Scrub Warbler, African Black & Alpine Swift, Cape White-eye, Olive Pigeon, and Spotted Eagle Owl. Later in the morning, we will visit the number of wetlands and settling ponds that constitute clutch sighting opportunities.

Nestling Tour's Itinerary for South Africa in 2008: Itinerary Continued Tuesday, Oct 21 West Coast Our route north along the Atlantic Coastline takes us across the foreshore of Cape Town to the Strandveld, as the dune vegetation is known, to the West Coast Park in search of Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan, Grey-winged Francolin, Southern Grey Tit, the diminutive Cape Penduline Tit, Red-capped Lark, Large-billed (Thick-billed) Lark, Gray-backed Sparrow Lark, Wattled Starling, Pied Starling, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Chestnut-vented Titbabbler, Karoo Scrub Robin, Cape Sparrow, White-throated Canary, Yellow Canary, Orange-throated Longclaw, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cloud Cisticola, Gray-backed Cisticola, and Spotted Prinia.  Adjacent wetlands should produce sightings of Black Crake, and Lesser Swamp (Cape Reed) Warbler. Time spent scanning the exposed tidal flats of the Langebaan Lagoon should deliver good views of Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff, Turnstone, Little Stint, Red Knot, and Common Ringed Plover.  From a hide towards the head of the lagoon, we hope to find Little Tern and can enjoy views of the spectacular Greater Flamingo wading along the shoreline.  With luck, we may even locate a Eurasian Curlew before moving off.  Later, we will traverse across a series of fields looking for Ant-eating Chat and Sickle-winged Chat before checking into a guest house in a scenic and delightful fishing village for the night. Wednesday, Oct 22  Berg River to the Tankwa Karoo After breakfast, we will bird the hills above Saint Helena Bay looking for Cape Clapper Lark, Karoo Lark, Cape Long- billed Lark, Southern Masked Weaver, Red-faced Mousebird, Spotted Thicknee, and Crowned Lapwing.  Next, we   drop down to the Berg River estuary to look for Chestnut-banded Sand Plover and Lesser Flamingo within the matrix of salt pans near the town of Veldrift.  From here, we will head due east for the rain shadow beyond the distant Cedarberg Mountains. On the way, we might find Secretarybird and Blue Crane (South Africa's national bird) in areas of open wheat fields. Our route through the mountains follows a series of rugged passes that eventually end at Karoo Poort on the edge of the arid Tankwa Karoo. Although seemingly dry and deserted, this vast expanse along with its rocky ridge lines to the west holds a representative selection of sought after species some of which are nomadic and others resident. Over what remains of the day, we will systematically search for Karoo Chat, Familiar Chat, Mountain Wheatear, Ground Woodpecker, White-backed Mousebird, Fairy Flycatcher, and Pale Chanting Goshawk.  We overnight in a game lodge under a superb night sky complete with all the principal summer constellations. Thursday, Oct 23 Tankwa Karoo After an early breakfast, we set off on a circular route in search of Ludwig’s Bustard, Karoo Korhaan, Trac Trac Chat, Greater Kestrel, Verreaux’s Eagle, Booted Eagle, Spike-heeled Lark, Pale-winged Starling, Layard’s Titbabbler, Yellow Canary,  Chestnut-vented Titbabbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Acacia Pied Barbet, Namaqua Prinia, Rufous-eared Warbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Karoo Green Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, and Karoo Thrush. Overnight back at the Game Lodge. Friday, Oct 24  Tankwa Karoo to the Agulhas Plain Our journey takes us further east across the succulent Little Karoo and through the spectacular Cape Folded Mountains and sweet-thorn choked drainage lines to the Agulhas Coastal Plain with its sprawling fields and rolling pastures.  We will scan for Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Capped Wheatear, Karoo Korhaan, African Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit, Red-capped Lark, Jackal Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Hamerkop, Cape Rook (Black Crow), Black Harrier and Secretarybird. After checking in, we will bird the immediate area in search of Orange-breasted Sunbird, Lesser Double-collared Sunbird, and Bokmakierie.  At dusk, we look for the Fiery-necked Nightjar.  We will spend the night in a bush camp situated on a ridgeline in pristine mountain fynbos. Saturday, Oct 25  Agulhas Plain to Grootvadersbosch Forest Reserve Before breakfast, we head into the reserve to search for Southern Tchagra, African Hoopoe, Southern Boubou Shrike, Greater Striped Swallow, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Water Thicknee (Dikkop), Spotted Thicknee (Dikkop) and Bar- throated Apalis.  Aside from the bird life,  we can expect to see several endangered and interesting mammals, including Bontebok, the comical Gray Rhebok, Burchell’s Zebra, and the Eland (Africa’s largest antelope).   After breakfast, we will travel east across the De Hoop reserve to look for Cape Vulture above Potberg Mountain. Then we cross the Breede River and arrive at Grootvadersbosch Forest Reserve.  On the way, we will check a lily covered dam for White-faced Whistling Duck and White-backed Duck and then check a wooded water-course for Olive Bush Shrike and Tambourine Dove. In the late afternoon we will work the riverine bush along the main drainage line in search of Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Fork-tailed Drongo, Amethyst Sunbird, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Hamerkop, Paradise Flycatcher and Olive Pigeon.  After dinner, we try for Wood Owl in the adjacent woodland.  Overnight in farmhouse lodgings close to the main forest.

Nestling Tour's Itinerary for South Africa in 2008:  Extension Trip Saturday, November 1 Suikerbosrand to Wakkerstroom An early start will assure some high quality birding a the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve south of Johannesburg. Here we will look for Long-tailed Widowbird, Southern Red Bishop, Acacia Pied Barbet, Cape Rock Thrush, Black-throated Canary, Red-eyed Bulbul, Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Wattled Plover, and White-winged Korhaan. Heading on, we arrive at Wakkerstroom early in the afternoon.  After checking into our accommodations, we next set off in search of Ground Woodpecker, Buff-streaked Chat, and Golden Bishop.  If the migrants are back by the time of our visit, we will find Horus Swift, Amur Falcon and Lesser Kestrel.  By late afternoon, we will scan the wetland for Gray Crowned Crane, African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Egret, South African Shelduck, Southern Pochard, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, African Snipe, Black Crake, African Rail, Yellow Warbler, and South African Cliff Swallow.   As dusk approaches, we will switch our attention to locating Swainson’s Francolin, Spotted Eagle, and Marsh Owl. Overnight at a country lodge in Wakkerstroom. Sunday, Nov 2 Wakkerstroom After a quick and early breakfast of tea/coffee and biscuits, we begin an important day with some early birding.  We start off looking for Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Crane, Blue Korhaan, the highly endangered Botha’s and Rudd’s Larks, Red-capped Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Orange-throated Longclaw, African Pipit, Banded Martin, Mountain Wheatear, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Cloud Cisticola, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Quail Finch and Eastern Clapper Lark.  At some point in the morning, we grab a more satisfying brunch in the field.  Later in the day, we search for Black-winged Plover, Eastern Long-billed Lark, Red- winged and Gray-winged Francolin, Capped Wheatear, Lanner Falcon, Jackal Buzzard and Secretarybird. In the village we will look for Bokmakierie, Red-throated Wryneck, and Green Wood Hoopoe. At dusk we return to the main wetland to scan for species not yet found on the previous evening. Overnight at the country lodge once again. Monday. Nov 3 Wakkerstroom to Underberg We set off early in search of species not yet found, and/or we head for low altitude grassland species, such as the highly localized Barrow’s (White-bellied) Korhaan.  Next, we head into KwaZuluNatal to arrive at Underberg below the impressive peaks of the Eastern Drakensberg for the night. On arrival at our evening accommodations,  we will take some time to bird the garden area before dinner and a night's sleep. Tuesday, Nov 4 Sani Pass and Lesotho We depart after an early breakfast in all terrain vehicles for the border post at the foot of the awe inspiring Sani Pass.  A full picnic lunch and refreshments for the trip will  be on board to add to the pleasure of the day.   As we travel along and continue birding, we will also study the geology and history of the area which dates back to the time of the  highly artistic bushman.   The bushman's exquisite and delicate paintings adorn the walls of many caves and sheltered overhangs.   As we ascend the valley, we will search for the elusive Cape Eagle Owl on the rocky cliff faces overlooking the Umkomazane River. At the river, we will stop to check for Bush Blackcap and Southern Boubou Shrike.  If we are lucky, we might locate Sharp-billed Honeyguide in the riverine thickets. As we move away from the river we will scan the sandstone outcrops and rocky scarps for Cape Rock Thrush.  Isolated patches of Protea roupelliae will be checked for Gurney’s Sugarbird, Greater Double-collared Sunbird and Malachite Sunbird.   Beyond the South African Police Post, we will search for Grassbird, Wailing Cisticola, Layard’s Titbabbler, Barrett’s Warbler and Fairy Flycatcher in the rank stream-side vegetation.  On the final leg of the ascent, the road zigzags through a heavily eroded section of tumbled boulders and steep sided gulleys.  This is prime habitat for Drakensberg Siskin and Cape Bunting.  If we are fortunate, we will enjoy our first sighting of Drakensberg (Orange-breasted) Rockjumper ---- Sani’s showcase bird.   Heading beyond the Lesotho border post, we can expect to find Sickle-winged Chat, Southern Gray Tit, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Mountain Pipit and Thick- billed Lark.  The heavily grazed grass has been undermined by Sloggett’s Ice Rat, and we can expect to see good numbers of Jackal Buzzard.  We have the possibly of seeing Pale Chanting Goshawk as well as Southern Bald Ibis. The highlight ahead, as we rise in altitude to over 10,000 feet, is unquestionably the Bearded Vulture.  The Bearded Vulture soars above the dolerite cliffs beyond Kotisephola Pass. Here we will stop for a picnic lunch before heading back at a leisurely pace to reach the lower Border Post by closing time at 4 PM.    The balance of the day will be spent looking for species not yet found on the way up the valley.  We will scan the wetlands for additional sightings at dusk.   Overnight back at the guest house in Underberg. Wednesday, Nov 5  Drakensberg to Durban After birding the garden and then breakfast, we will head off to a Wattled Crane site on private land.  We can only hope our current assumption that these highly endangered birds are still in the area.  From here, we will make our way to the edge of a Mist belt forest to scan the grassland for equally endangered Blue Swallow.  At some point, we will travel to Durban to connect with our afternoon flight to Johannesburg International airport.   Based on flight plans, many group members will be able to depart Johannesburg International airport for destinations abroad late afternoon or evening.

Nestling Tour's Itinerary for South Africa in 2008:  Few Notes All in all a comprehensive tour embracing a wide diversity of habitats across the spectrum of what South Africa has to offer.    We expect to see over 400 species of birds and 40 mammals during the course of our 19 day trip (including the extension) Flight times, as advised by South African Arilines for October 2008, will determine final itineraries on October 18 and 28 08.