My latest Trip

In Johannesburg the clients checked themselves on to the local flight to Upington. I met them on the bus on the way to the Airplane. They introduced themselves as Henrico and Daniella. They informed me of their previous travels to Namibia, Tanzania and Madagascar. Birding and travelling a road less travelled by, was the main aim of their visit to South Africa.

We landed in Upington after a pleasant flight in a strong Northerly wind. We headed straight to Kgalagadi, on the way spotting Pygmy Falcons, Sociable weavers and Pale Chanting Goss Hawks. Birding was the highlight and constant activity of this tour.

Our stay at !Xaus lodge was pleasant, the San took great care of us! After this experience we will always yearn for the soul of the Kalahari.

The Gariep River cuts through the dry Northern Cape, climaxing at the Augrabies falls. Rock Martins nests on the spectacular cliffs while Dassies and Verreaux’s Eagle play the endless cat and mouse game. Spending time in Augrabies Falls National Park is a valuable experience since the area is dressed with amazing detail. The Falls Guest house felt homely and welcomed us with a delicious dinner.

From Busman land we travelled to Namaqualand. En route spotting Greater Kestrels and Quiver Trees. Naries is an ambitious reserve on one of the highest slopes of Namaqualand, and we were welcomed by a myriad of flowers in bloom. The Skilpad section and rest of Namaqualand National Park with it’s Renosterveld succulents is a must on any Fauna and Flora enthusiast’s itinerary.

Bushmanskloof leaves any visitor in awe with it’s luxury, delicious meals and picturesque setting in the Cederberg. Our guide, Daniel, took us to ‘the top of the world’, where we observed the courting behaviour of the Clapper Lark. He shared with us the magic and myth of the San Rock art. This reserve boasts a large population of the highly endangered Cape Mountain Zebra.

From Bushmanskloof we headed to the Verlorenvlei at Elandsbaai where we spotted 25 new species for our bird list. Malachite King Fishers, Moore Hens, Common Terns and Levaillant’s Cisticolas are some of the full time residents here. After Verlorenvlei we headed to Langebaan. On the way we spotted thousands of Flamingo’s that had just arrived from their long intercontinental journey.

The guests experienced the stay at The Farmhouse in Langebaan as authentic and grand.

On our way to Cape Town we visited the West Coast National Park and spotted a Black Sparrow Hawk, lush flowering plants of all colours and tortoises.

In Cape Town we checked into our National Monument, The Cardogan Hotel. Our full day Peninsula meander took us to the fifth National Park, Table Mountain National Park. We were entertained by the Seals and the Penguins...and the strong Cape Doctor. At Cape Point we spotted Cape Gannets and Cape Cormorants.

Henrico and Daniella are satisfied and ecstatic about their whole experience. They spotted more than 150 new Bird species and promised to be back in Southern Africa.