Although I am writing this as a birding report this trip was primarily a family holiday with my non-birding wife and nine year old daughter. Both have a love of wildlife and the open air and therefore allow me time to pursue my hobby, but this means that there is always a compromise of the places visited and the species seen.
The main aim of the trip was to see a mix of places and a combination of a typical African safari and a more relaxed holiday. I had not been to South Africa before but had visited both East and West Africa in my pre-parent days. I was keen therefore to see a mix of species but primarily those endemics and near-endemics of Southern Africa.
The choice of timing was dictated by the available school holidays and therefore targeting the last half of the month gave us the best opportunity to catch the earliest days of spring in the Cape. This time of year is too early for the arrival of the European migrants, but can get the earliest of intra-African migrants. Certainly the species list was reduced in number, but as I have seen elsewhere most of the missed European species the only real miss was the cuckoos and other African breeders. To offset this the wild flower display along the west coast area and particularly at Darling and Postberg section of the West Coast National Park were amazing.
The original idea was to do this all on our own, but work pressure and no immediate knowledge of the area meant that this was soon shelved. We ended up using a basic two centre holiday from Virgin and tacking on an additional week on to this. The basic package gave us a car and accommodation in Kruger, internal flights and accommodation in Cape Town.
We were indebted to Callam and Eve at Birding Africa for organising the additional week around the Cape. They arranged accommodation that followed a circular route around the cape, and tied in nicely with the key sites in Essential Birding guide. (this must be the best self-guiding publication in Africa if not the world!)
In all I drove just over 2000 miles however I must say that compared with Europe driving is a joy with almost empty roads and a good standard of driving. Certainly there is no comparison with the scary tactics of many drivers in Morocco.
I took the Sasol Guide to Birds of Southern Africa, which appears to be the best guide for the region. It is a thoroughly modern guide that is fully to European standards which I have two criticisms of; it is a little ‘split happy’ and some ‘species’ need to be adopted by the taxonomists and it doesn’t show seasonal range variations in different colours on the maps.
Not withstanding the above, I could identify most species seen with the exception of the non breeding Widow birds and a number of Cisticolas. I didn’t have any tapes so I missed out on some of the more skulking species and couldn’t make sense of many of calls I heard, particularly in the forests. The main misses of the trip were species of the northern area of Kruger and also many of the more specialised species of the Karoo for which I would have spent more time in right habitat and travelled further. They were a necessary sacrifice for a family holiday and are easily in reach for a more dedicated birding crew.
Itinerary
12th August Overnight flight Heathrow- Johannesberg
13th August Arrived Jo’berg, picked up car and drove to Hazyview via Middleberg & Wonderfontein Pans. Night at Hippo Hollow.
14th August Trip to Graskop, Pilgrims Rest and Mount Sheba. Night at Hippo Hollow
15th August Kruger NP. Night at Hippo Hollow
16th August Morning trip to Graskop, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon. Afternoon at Hippo Hollow. Night at Hippo Hollow.
17th August Kruger NP. Night at Hippo Hollow.
18th August Drive Hazyview to Jo’berg. Afternoon flight to Cape Town. Night at Protea President, Sea Point.
19th August Table Mountain. Walk down Skeleton Gorge to Kirstenbosch. Night at Protea President.
20th August Trip to Boulder’s Beach and Simons Town. Night at Protea President.
21st August Day around Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Night at Protea President.
22nd August Pelagic trip off Cape Point.
23rd August Trip up the West Coast via Milnerton, Silwersandstrom, Darling and Langebaan. Night at Falcon’s Rest, Langebaan.
24th August West Coast National Park. Night at Falcon’s Rest, Langebaan
25th August Paternoster, Velddrift, Citrusdal, Middleberg pass to Klein Cedarberg. Night at Klein Cedarberg
26th August Drive through the Tanqua Karoo via Katbakkies, Eierkop and on to Grootvaderbosch. Night at Honeywood Farm
27th August Grootvaderbosch, Overberg, Malgas and De Hoop. Night at Buchu Bush Camp
28th August De Hoop Nature Reserve. Night at Buchu Bush Camp
29th August Overberg to Bredasdorp, Caledon, Sir Lowry’s pass, Winelands to Stellenbosch. Night at Langverwacht.
30th August Paarl, Cape Town Airport and flight to Jo’berg, then on to Heathrow.
Highlights.
13th August. We arrived at Jo’berg after being delayed by an hour and by the time we had cleared customs and picked up the car from Avis it was past noon. The drive to the east was uneventful as the roads are straight and by European standards were relatively traffic free. The 400 kilometres were broken by stops at service stations and a diversion to the Wonderfontein Pans on the road to Carolina.
The first surprise was a South African Cliff Swallow a kilometre from the pans. The pans themselves held a good mix of wildfowl, with White-backed Duck, Maccoa Duck and Southern Pochard. A pair of Levaillant’s Cisticola gave me an early warning of the identification challenge of this group of species.
We arrived at Hippo Hollow, Hazyview just as night fell.
14th August A pre-breakfast walk around the grounds at Hippo Hollow introduced me to a number of local species and enabled me to get my eye in. A pair of Brown-hooded Kingfisher was resident in the gardens and the flowering trees attracted Greater Double banded, Amethyst and Collared Sunbirds. Weavers, Green Pigeons and Cape Wagtails were plentiful and a surprise was a Dark-capped Yellow Warbler in a reedy tangle— the only one of the trip.
After breakfast we drove up the escarpment to Graskop, Pilgrims rest and on to Mount Sheba. A stop on the way at Robbers Pass offered a fly over Brown Snake-eagle and singing Cape Rock Thrush and Buff-streaked Chat.
We arrived at the Mount Sheba hotel for lunch and after a leisurely drink and snack by the pool walked the trail up to Marco’s Mantle through the native forest. The forest was surprising quiet but we happened upon a small bird flock including Knysna Turaco, Chorister Robin, Terrestrial Bulbul, Yellow-streaked Bulbul and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler.
The trip back to Hippo Hollow was uneventful.
15th August. A full day in Kruger. Entering by Phabeni Gate we did a loop via Skukuza, Tshokwane, Lower Sabie and back to Phabeni Gate. This gate is less than a year old and is not mentioned in many guidebooks. The area from the gate to the Paul Kruger gate held lots of game and the access is only ten minutes from the hotels.
Progress was slow as we saw our first Elephants, Giraffe, and Zebra. A stop by a flowering tree brought a rush of new birds with Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Grey Penduline Tit, Brubru, Chinspot Batis, and others in the canopy.
As the day warmed up, Bateleurs became a familiar site, and other raptors such as Dark Chanting Goshawk were common.
Later in the afternoon, Francolins appeared by the road edges and the highlight was a Leopard close by the road in the golden light of early dusk.
16th August. Another pre-breakfast walk around the ground of the hotel brought more new species and a fruiting tree provided an attraction to Purple-crested Turacos and a Yellow fronted Barbet. The river in the grounds held African Black Duck and Giant Kingfisher.
We took a trip along the escarpment to Blyde River Canyon. The views at the Pinnacle, God’s Window and the three Rondavels are spectacular. It was clear that the Blue Swallows had not returned to the sites near Graskop, but we found a Southern Bald Ibis en-route and other interesting species included Olive Woodpecker, White-necked Raven and Wailing Cisticola.
The trip back in the middle of the day was good for soaring raptors with Jackal Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle and Wahlberg’s Eagle all seen.
The afternoon was spent back at Hippo Hollow giving time to the girls for relaxing by the pool. I went and sat by river. There was a continuous procession of birds through the mixed habitat of scrub, river and gardens and it made a change for everything to come to me for a change. Ashy Flycatchers, Tambourine Dove and Jameson’s Firefinches were the first surprises, but the major shock was an African Finfoot drifting into view.
17th August Our second day in Kruger and we entered by Phabeni Gate again, but headed further north via Tshokwane to Satara to attempt to see more open savannah and a different set of mammals. After leaving Satara we headed along the Satara Road and left the park by the Orpen Gate. We succeeded in finding more large game species and Lion, a major target for my daughter.
Bird species were similar to the previous trip into the park, but a gentle trickle of new species continued including our first Red-crested Korhaan, Martial Eagle, Harlequin Quail and Water Dikkop.
The second Finfoot of the trip at Skukuza was another surprise.
18th August The long drive to Jo’berg yielded little of note, and we picked up the 2pm flight to Cape Town arriving two hours later. Time was left for a brief walk down to the Atlantic Ocean from our hotel at Bantry Bay/Sea Point. Easy new species were the Hartlaub’s and Kelp Gulls that are literally everywhere in the City.
19th August A pre-breakfast walk along the coast at Sea Point yield all three target Cormorants, Cape, Bank and Crowned together with African Black Oystercatcher. After breakfast we took the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, and then walked across the top, picking up Ground Woodpecker, Orange breasted Sunbird and Neddicky on the way. We walked (scrambled) down Skeleton Gorge before arriving in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in time for a cream tea in the tea rooms. A walk around the Protea stands brought the targeted Cape Sugarbirds, Southern Double-banded Sunbird and a flock of Swee Waxbills.
20th August We took the train from Cape Town to Simon Town to visit Boulder’s Beach. There were hundreds of African Penguins present and in all ages from eggs, to young chicks and fledged young. The surrounding gardens and scrub held Malachite Sunbirds, Cape Bulbul, Southern Boubou and Cape Robin-chat.
Offshore, the cormorants and gulls were joined by a few Cape Gannets.
21st August A touristy day in Cape Town and the Waterfront, visiting the Aquarium and other places of interest.
22nd August The day of the pelagic, and not being much of a sailor one I wasn’t really sure I was looking forward to. After over a week of good weather this was supposed to be the day the weather broke, but we had ideal conditions, virtually no wind and overcast conditions preventing glare. The Cape was benign with only the general 20ft swell to contend with! With four groups going out we missed out on the 60ft Zest II and 40ft Sharkers and went out on a 30ft whaler. I was not alone in thinking that the latter was a little small for going 30nm off the cape, but it was the fastest boat in the fleet and the flat hull gave good stability.
The first White-chinned Petrels were seen before we founded Cape Point and after clearing the point they were joined by many Sooty Shearwaters. It wasn’t long before our first Albatross, a Shy.
The biggest problem for use was not being able to find any fishing boats, however when we stopped chasing around it was surprising the species that found us and we were visited by Shy and Black-browed Albatross, Subantarctic Skua, Northern Giant Petrel, Pintado Petrel and the first of many Wilson’s Storm Petrels.
When we finally did find two long-liners the number of birds did increase and as they were pulling in the fish dropping from the lines attracted both Giant Petrels and many more albatrosses including a few Indian Yellow-nosed. We saw at first hand the problems of the long-lining as many of the ‘dropped’ fish had hooks embedded, at both setting and hauling in this is killing many seabirds around the globe.
The trip back to Simon’s Town was enlivened by a couple of fly-by Soft-plumaged Petrels and a lone Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross.
It wasn’t only birds that set the interest. An early glimpsed shark sp set the scene but nobody expected am adult Mako shark breaching a full 1.5m out of the sea in front of the boat. A pod of 60+ Common dolphins entertained us close to Cape Point and we saw Southern Right Whales in False Bay on the way out and way back into Simon’s Town.
23rd August We picked up our hire car and headed north out of Cape Town along the West Coast. Initial stops at Dolphin Beach pans and Bloubergstrand yielded little that was new, but we saw the fist signs of migration with both White-throated and Pearl-breasted Swallows being found.
A quick stop at Silwerstroomstrand and we continued along the R27 to the Darling Hills turn off. We immediately picked up Southern Black Korhaan, Capped Wheatear and Black-headed Heron. On the road to darling we found the first of our Blue Cranes for the trip.
We visited three of the flower reserves around Darling, namely Waylands, Oudepos and Tienie Versveld. These reserves are all small and were covered in flowers. At the first we found Cape Longclaw and Cape Clapper Lark and at the last we added Cloud Cisticola, Southern Thick-billed Lark and South African Shelduck.
We drove on to Langebaan for the night.
24th August A full day visit to the West Coast National Park. Entering from Langebaan we first stopped at Seeberg hide and picked up a few waders such as White-fronted Plover, Whimbrel and Greenshank.
Roadside birds in the park included Black Harrier, Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler, Bar-throated Apalis and Cape Bunting.
We drove through to the Postberg section of the park. This is only open in August and September and is primarily known for the displays of wild flowers and it is also home to most of the larger animals such as Cape Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Bontebok and Gemsbok.
The only African Marsh Harrier of the trip was seen on the walk to the Salt Marsh Hides at the Geelbek Manor House (and reserve centre)
25th August Left Langebaan after breakfast and drove to Velddrift via Paternoster. Sickle winged Chats were seen on the road from Vredenburg to Paternoster. The fallow fields beyond Paternoster and particularly around cattle pens held many larks but not the sought Cape Long-billed Larks. Small numbers of Grey-backed Sparrowlark was some recompense.
We stopped very briefly at Velddrif to catch Lesser Flamingo and hundreds of Black-necked Grebe on the pans by the Berg River. We headed up to Citrusdal and then headed across the mountain range via the Middleberg pass. African Harrier Hawk was the highlight of the mountains and then we found our first Mountain Wheatear just before arriving at Klein Cedarberg for the night. The Protea stands around the guest house held Cape Sugarbird, Malachite and Orange-breasted Sunbirds.
26th August An early morning walk — in the frosty morning air — yielded many of the usual species plus close views of a pair of Protea Canaries stripping blossom from a tree. The short drive to Katbakkies brought us down from the mountains to the edge of the Tanqua Karoo. The hill sides were quiet and this apparently is now a difficult site for Cinnamon-breasted Warbler. The acacia scrub held Fairy Flycatcher, Acacia Pied Barbet and more Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler. The hillsides yielded little except Layard’s Tit Babbler.
We moved on to Eierkop picking up Tractrac Chat and a dark phase Booted Eagle on the way. A noisy Karoo Eremomela was found during a picnic at this site but generally the Karoo seemed very quiet.
We drove on south via Touws River and Tradouws pass, adding road side Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk on the way. The last few miles into Grootvaderbosch were primarily farmland and then the forest edge. We saw a flying Stanley Bustard, Jackal Buzzard and a Forest Buzzard before arriving at Honeywood Farm for the night.
27th August A pre-breakfast walk around Grootvaderbosch. The forest was very quiet with the exception of excitable flocks of Cape White-eye. Forest Canaries were seen in the forest and around the campsite. On the regeneration area, I was surprised to find a pair of Grey Cuckoo Shrike.
Further evidence of increased migration was a few White-rumped Swifts over the forest, and the first of Greater Striped Swallows on leaving the area. We drove down into the Overberg and drove slowly along the dirt roads to Malgas. Raptors soon started to appear with Jackal Buzzard, Martial Eagle, Steppe Buzzard all present. The fields and road edges held large numbers of Larks, including for the hoped for Agulhas Long-billed Lark and Agulhas Clapper Lark. The sheep fields seemed to be a major attraction to large numbers of Blue Cranes and in one we spotted a displaying Stanley’s Bustard. A party of nine Cape Vultures drifted over the road close to the turn off to De Hoop Nature Reserve.
We arrived at Buchu Bush Camp, just outside the De Hoop Nature reserve for the night. The surrounding fynbos held Cape Sugarbirds and Orange-breasted Sunbirds. In the restaurant block a Cape Robin Chat was nesting on the water heater in one of the toilets. After dark both Fiery-necked Nightjar and Rufous-cheeked Nightjars were heard.
28th August A full day in the De Hoop nature reserve. We drove down to Koppie Alleen on the coast. The beach was empty of people but just offshore Southern Right Whales and their calves drifted past just outside of the surf line. A few Humpback Dolphins played briefly in the surf.
The main park is mainly fynbos and areas of cleared grass. The large mammals included Bontebok, Eland and Cape Mountain Zebra. Ostrich were plentiful in the park and the open areas we found that Crowned Plover and Capped Wheatear were plentiful.
A walk around the edge of the vlei from the park headquarters brought close encounters with a troop of baboons and then gave up the sought Southern Tchagra and Knysna Woodpecker.
29th August The day dawned foggy and we gave up the idea of walking Potberg mountain. A change of plan took us through the Overberg towards Sir Lowry’s pass. The fields held much the same as on the way in with lots of Blue Crane being seen and the roads and verges holding lots of Larks. Three Stanley Bustards were found strutting across a field and later in their smaller cousins, a pair of Karoo Korhaans, were seen madly chasing each other close to the road. The fog slowly cleared and we saw a Spotted Eagle Owl perched on a set of watertanks.
Arriving at Sir Lowry’s at around eleven, we walk along the track and then up to the cannons. There was visible raptor migration with Yellow-billed Kite and three Steppe Buzzards moving over the range. The fynbos held sunbirds and sugarbirds but we could not get a Victorin's Warbler to show itself. On the ridge above the cannons I soon found a couple of Cape Rockjumpers and a single Sentinel Rock Thrush.
We drove off via Theewaterskloof and into the Winelands. The mountains seemed good for raptors and we found more Steppe Buzzards, African Fish Eagles and African Harrier Hawk on the journey. The afternoon was spent doing more sightseeing in Stellenbosch before moving on to Langverwacht for the night.
30th August After a morning visit to Paarl we headed back to Cape Town to catch the 16.00 transfer to Jo’berg and then overnight back to Heathrow.
Species Lists
Ostrich — only seen in Kruger NP in the NE on both the 15th & 17th. In the Cape area seen in most grasslands and reserves. In Overberg there are many Ostrich farms and how many of the loose birds can be considered as semi-wild is anybodies guess.
African Penguin — Easily seen at Boulders beach where several hundred of all ages were present on 20th and also seen from the boat out of Simons Town on 22nd.
Great-crested Grebe — only seen at Wonderfontein Pans on 13th. A minimum of two birds present.
Black-necked Grebe — only seen at Velddrif where several hundred were present in the road side pans on 25th.
Little Grebe — seen in small numbers on most inland waters in the North-east and the Cape
Shy Albatross — the commonest albatross seen on the pelagic on 22nd. Probably 20-30 birds seen.
Black-browed Albatross — the second commonest albatross on 22nd and confusing as most were juvenile birds.
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross- a single bird seen in open waters away from the boats on the way back to Simons Town on 22nd.
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross- 4or 5 seen mainly around the fishing boats on 22nd.
Southern Giant Petrel — Only seen around the fishing vessels on the pelagic on the 22nd.
Northern Giant Petrel — The first was seen in open water as we drifted to find news of any trawlers. They were more numerous around the fishing boats but it was always difficult to distinguish between the two species except at close range.
Pintado Petrel — an attractive species and most common around the fishing vessels. 20-30 seen on the pelagic on 22nd
Soft-plumaged Petrel — two singles seen on the trip back to Simons Town on the pelagic on the 22nd. Both were in open water away from the fishing vessels.
White chinned Petrel — the commonest Petrel by far and seen before we cleared Cape point. The numbers are difficult to estimate bit probably hundreds if not thousands seen on the Pelagic on 22nd.
Sooty Shearwater — common off Cape Point in the pelagic on 22nd.
Manx Shearwater — a single bird seen around the long-liners on the pelagic on the 22nd.
European Storm Petrel — two were identified in with the throng of Wilson on the pelagic on the 22nd. I took pleasure in trying to reverse the struggles of the Scillonian trip off Cornwall where of course Europeans are plentiful and only one or two Wilson’s were present.
Wilson’s Storm Petrel — commonly seen on the pelagic on 22nd with 40-60 birds seen especially around the long liners.
Great White Pelican — A loose flock seen over the Darling Hills on 23rd.
Cape Gannet — first seen off Simon’s Town on 20th and hundreds seen on the Pelagic on the 22nd.
White-breasted Cormorant — seen in Kruger NP at the larger waterholes on 15th & 17th and around the Cape in small numbers
Cape Cormorant — Common around the Cape and on the West Coast — the commonest of the three endemic cormorants.
Bank Cormorant — Seen regularly around the Cape and off Sea Point, occasionally in flocks.
Reed Cormorant — common at most inland waters in the North-east and more scarcely in the Cape.
Crowned Cormorant — seen in singles and pairs around the rocky coast on the Cape.
African Darter — a single flyover Hippo Hollow on 14th.
Grey Heron — common around inland waters in the North-east and the Cape.
Black-headed Heron — first seen nr Darling on 23rd. Fairly common in agricultural areas and not always near water.
Goliath Heron — only a single seen at Skukuza on 17th
Great White Egret — 5+ at De Hoop on 28th.
Intermediate Egret — only seen nr Lower Sabie in Kruger NP on 15th.
Little Egret — not uncommon on the coasts around the Cape, including the rock foreshore around Sea Point.
Cattle Egret — Common in the North-east and the Cape
Green-backed Heron — two at Hippo Hollow on 15-17th.
Hamerkop — seen daily in the North-east.
Woolly-necked Stork — seen regularly around waterholes in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
African Openbill — relatively common around Lower Sabie in Kruger NP on 15th.
Saddlebill Stork — a single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Marabou Stork — only seen in Kruger NP, with a flock of 30+ around Skukuza on 15th & 17th.
Yellow-billed Stork — a single in Kruger NP on 17th was the only record.
Sacred Ibis — common in North-east and the Cape.
Southern Bald Ibis — one, maybe two seen north of Graskop on 16th.
Glossy Ibis — a single at Dolphin Beach pans on 23rd.
Hadada Ibis — common almost everywhere and even if you couldn’t see them their calls were evident particularly at dawn & dusk.
African Spoonbill — a group of three were seen at a waterhole in Kruger. One flew over the N12 nr Belfast on the 18th. A party of a dozen birds were at a wet land nr Op-die-berg on 25th. 2 were at De Hoop NR on 28th.
Greater Flamingo — Approx fifty present on the Wonderfontein Pans on 13th. A similar number were seen in the West Coast NP on 24th and at Velddrif on 25th.
Lesser Flamingo - only seen at Velddrif where about 30 present in the road side pans on 25th.
White-backed Duck— only seen at Wonderfontein pans on the 13th with approx. 10 present
Egyptian Goose — seen on nearly every piece of water in all habitats. Even seen perching on buildings and far from apparent water in the Farmland of the Overberg.
South African Shelduck — first seen at Tienie Versfeld on 23rd and thereafter seen daily in low numbers.
Yellow-billed Duck — Generally the commonest duck species and seen at most inland waters in the North-east and in the Cape.
African Black Duck - a single on the river at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Mallard — only seen close to Cape Town were it is an introduced resident. We saw some that were probably hybrids with Yellow-billed Duck, apparently an alarming development in the area.
Cape Teal — first seen at Teine Versfeld on 23rd. Found in West Coast NP on 24th.
Red-billed Teal - first seen at Teine Versfeld on 23rd. Common at the wetland nr Op-die-berg on 25th.
Cape Shoveler — first seen at Wonderfontein pans on 13th. Relatively common in most wetlands in the Cape.
Southern Pochard — only seen at Wonderfontein pans on the 13th with approx. 40 present.
Spur-winged Goose — first seen near Darling on the 23rd. Pairs were seen regularly in farmland areas around the Cape.
Maccoa Duck— only seen at Wonderfontein pans on the 13th with approx. 6 present.
Secretarybird — seen in Kruger NP nr Nkumbe on 15th.
Hooded Vulture — seen in Kruger NP in the vicinity of Satara on 17th.
Cape Vulture — A pair seen on Kruger on 15th. Nine seen together near Potberg on 27th.
White-backed Vulture — seen in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
White-headed Vulture — a single immature bird seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Yellow-billed Kite — first seen north of Langebaan on the 25th. Seen regularly in the Overberg on 27 & 29th.
Black Shouldered Kite — Seen daily, except in towns and cities, throughout the holiday.
Tawny Eagle — Scarce but regularly seen in the Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Wahlberg’s Eagle — a single bird seen between Graskop and Hazyview on 16th.
Booted Eagle — the first was a dark phase in the Tanqua Karoo north of Eierkop on 25th. A pale phase was seen later the same day near Tradouws pass.
Long-crested Eagle — the first was seen near Pilgrim’s Rest on 14th. Two were near Graskop on 16th.
Martial Eagle — first seen at Satara in Kruger NP on 17th. A single was in the Overberg on 27th.
Brown Snake-eagle — the first was over Robber’s Pass, near Mount Sheba on the 14th. Seen regularly across Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Bateleur — Common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
African Fish Eagle — Seen regularly in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th. A single seen nr Muizenberg from the train on 20th and also seen near the dams at Theewaterskloof on 29th.
Steppe Buzzard — the first seen in the Overberg on 27th. Maximum were three at Sir Lowry’s on 29th.
Forest Buzzard — a single near Grootvaderbosch on 26th.
Jackal Buzzard — first seen nr Graskop on 16th. The commonest raptor along the west coast and the Overberg.
Black Sparrowhawk a single over Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
African Goshawk — a juvenile was seen most days at Hippo Hollow between 14-17th.
Southern Pale Goshawk — a pair were seen in the Tanqua Karoo south of Eierkop on 26th. A further three were seen later the same day near Montagu.
Dark Chanting Goshawk — Common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
African Marsh Harrier — one seen on the trek out to the Salt marsh hides at West Coast NP on the 24th.
Black Harrier — the first was a juvenile in Darling Hills on 23rd. Three were seen together at West Coast NP on 24th and a single at De Hoop NR on 28th.
African Harrier-Hawk — one in the Middleberg pass on 25th and a single being mobbed by Steppe Buzzards nr Grabouw on 29th.
Rock Kestrel — Seen almost daily in the escarpment in the North-east and around the Cape
Crested Francolin — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Cape Francolin — first seen in Cape Town on the 19th and seen daily thereafter. Particularly common in the West Coast NP and De Hoop NR.
Natal Francolin — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Swainson’s Spurfowl — seen on both dates in Kruger NP.
Harlequin Quail — a pair seen in Kruger NP on 17th.
Helmeted Guineafowl — common and seen daily throughout the holiday.
Blue Crane — first seen nr Darling on 23rd. Common in the Overberg on 27th and 29th with flocks in the stock fields.
Black Crake — a single seen in Kruger NP on 17th.
Moorhen — first seen nr Muizenberg on the 20th. Thereafter seen regularly in small numbers around the Cape.
Red-knobbed Coot — a very common species seen daily on every body of water in both the North-east and on the Cape.
African Finfoot — a male seen at Hippo Hollow on 16th. A single seen at Skukuza in Kruger NP on 17th.
Stanley’s Bustard — the first was seen in flight nr Grootvaderbosch on 26th. A displaying male was seen nr Malgas on 27th. Three were seen in the Overberg nr Bredasdorp on 29th.
Karoo Korhaan — two seen chasing each other around a sheep field in the Overberg between De Hoop and Bredasdorp on 29th.
Red-crested Korhaan — a single female was seen on the roadside in Kruger NP on 17th.
Southern Black Korhaan — a single calling male was seen by the Darling Hills turn-off the R27 on 23rd.
African Jacana — the only records were in Kruger NP with a single near Lower Sabie in on 15th and two nr Satara on 17th.
African Black Oystercatcher — seen on most coasts around the Cape including Sea Point, Simons Town and De Hoop.
White-fronted Plover — Common on the Coast at West Coast NP and De Hoop NR.
Kittlitz’s Plover — only seen in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Three-banded Plover — A pair were at Wonderfontein pans on 13th. Common in Kruger NP on 15th and 17th. In the Cape only seen at Katbakkies on 26th.
Grey Plover — Only seen in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Crowned Lapwing — uncommon in Kruger NP on 17th. Common in De Hoop NR on 28th.
Blacksmith Plover — the commonest plover and seen in most habitats in the North-east and the Cape
Common Sandpiper — a single in Kruger NP on 15th and a further single at Hippo Hollow on 16th
Marsh Sandpiper — A single at Tienie Versveld reserve on 23rd.
Greenshank — A few birds were present by the Seeberg hide in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Curlew Sandpiper — a flock of a dozen birds was at West Coast NP on 24th.
Little Stint — a few were seen around waterholes in Kruger NP. Approx. 10 were at the salt marsh hides at West Coast NP on 24th.
Ruff — a single at a waterhole in Kruger NP on 17th.
Whimbrel — a minimum of four birds in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Avocet — 6 seen at Wonderfontein pans on 13th.
Black-winged Stilt- first seen in the West Coast NP on 24th. A few pairs were on the wetland nr Op-die-berg on 25th. Also present in De Hoop NR on 28th.
Spotted Thickknee — a single seen by the N2 on 30th.
Water Thickknee — Groups of pairs seen by three waterholes in Kruger NP on 17th.
Subantarctic Skua — seen on the pelagic on 22nd with a minimum of six birds.
Grey-headed Gull — seen in Jo’berg by the roadside pans on 18th.
Hartlaub’s Gull — Common on all coasts around the Cape.
Cape Gull — Common on all coasts around the Cape.
Swift Tern — the odd bird seen off the Cape as flybys. 30-40 seen on the pelagic on 22nd.
Common Tern — a single bird seen on the pelagic on 22nd was thought to be this species.
Arctic Tern — only those at West Coast NP on the 24th could be ascribed to this species
Speckled Pigeon — Common bird in Cape Town and other built up areas in the Cape.
African Olive Pigeon — a single bird was flushed in Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Red-eyed Dove — common in the North-east and the Cape
African Mourning Dove— common in the North-east.
Cape Turtle Dove— common in the North-east and the Cape
Palm Dove — common in the North-east and the Cape
Namaqua Dove — seen nr Lower Sabie in Kruger NP on 15th.
Emerald Spotted Wood Dove — a few seen on both dates in Kruger NP.
Tambourine Dove — a single bird seen at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Lemon Dove — a single seen well at Mount Sheba on 18th.
African Green Pigeon — common at Hippo Hollow 14th -17th.
Brown Headed Parrot — Only seen in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Knysna Turaco — two seen as part of mixed feeding flock at Mount Sheba on 14th.
Purple-crested Turaco — a pair at Hippo Hollow on 16th. A single at Nelspruit on 18th.
Grey Go-away Bird- common in the Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Burchell’s Coucal — only seen in Kruger NP on the 17th
Spotted Eagle Owl — a single bird found by water tanks in the Overberg near Bredasdorp on the 29th.
African Black Swift — first seen Nr Graskop on 16th. In the Cape a mixed flock with Little and Alpine Swifts was seen near Silwerstroomstrand on 18th, with over 100 birds present.
White-rumped Swift — only seen at Grootvaderbosch with up to four there on the 27th
Horus Swift — only seen at De Hoop NR with 2 seen on 28th.
Little Swift — by far the commonest swift and flocks were seen daily in Kruger NP and in the Cape district.
Alpine Swift — 5-10 birds seen in a mixed flock of Swifts nr Silwerstroomstrand on 18th.
African Palm Swift — common around Hippo Hollow and in some areas of Kruger NP.
Speckled Mousebird — common in Kruger NP and in fynbos in the Cape.
White-backed Mousebird — the commonest Mousebird in the Cape, first seen at Silwerstroomstrand on 23rd.
Red-faced Mousebird — a party of 3-4 birds were seen briefly in West Coast NP on 24th.
Pied Kingfisher — up to three birds were seen daily at Hippo Hollow 14-17th. Seen in Kruger NP on 15th and 17th. A single was at the wetland nr Op-die-berg on 25th.
Giant Kingfisher — a pair were around Hippo Hollow on 14-18th.
Malachite Kingfisher — a single seen at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Brown-hooded Kingfisher — a pair seen daily at Hippo Hollow 14-18th.
Striped Kingfisher — A single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Little Bee-eater — relatively scarce in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Lilac-breasted Roller — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Purple Roller — only seen in Kruger NP with a minimum of four birds nr Lower Sabie on 15th.
African Hoopoe — One was at Hippo Hollow on 14th. Also seen at De Hoop on 28th.
Green Wood-hoopoe — a family party was seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Common Scimitarbill — a family party was seen in a mixed feeding flock in Kruger NP on 15th.
African Grey Hornbill — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Red-billed Hornbill — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill — common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th
Southern Ground Hornbill — a group of five were seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Black-collared Barbet — Mainly seen in pairs around Hippo Hollow and Kruger NP daily 14-17th.
Acacia Pied Barbet — a single was at Katbakkies on 26th.
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird — one was seen at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Crested Barbet — birds were found in the rest camps in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Ground Woodpecker — a pair were seen on the top of Table Mountain on 19th.
Bennett’s Woodpecker — a single seen in Kruger NP on 17th.
Golden-tailed Woodpecker — a single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Knysna Woodpecker — a single seen in the Vlei side thickets at De Hoop NP on 28th.
Cardinal Woodpecker — a single was seen at Hippo Hollow on 14th.
Olive Woodpecker — a single was seen at God’s Window, nr Graskop on 16th.
Cape Clapper Lark — common at the Waylands reserve at Darling on 23rd. Displaying birds were heard after dark at Klein Cedarberg on 26th.
Agulhas Clapper Lark — displaying birds were seen nr Malgas on 27th and around Buchu Bush Camp on 27th & 28th.
Agulhas Long-billed Lark — an uncommon roadside bird in the Overberg with no more than three seen on 27th.
Red-capped Lark — a common lark seen in the same habitat as below and
Large-billed Lark — first seen nr Darling on the 23rd, this was the commonest Lark across the West Coast and Overberg.
Grey-backed Sparrowlark — a small flock of 8-10 birds were seen nr Paternoster on 25th.
White-throated Swallow — first seen at Dolphin Beach pans on 23rd. Thereafter seen daily in small numbers.
Wire-tailed Swallow — a few birds were seen daily at Hippo Hollow 14-17th and also seen in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Pearl-breasted Swallow — first seen Bloubergstrand on 23rd, and thereafter seen regularly across the Cape.
Red-breasted Swallow — this species appeared common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Greater Striped Swallow — the first was seen nr Honeywood Farm on 27th. Thereafter not uncommon around the Overberg and Winelands.
Lesser Striped Swallow — common in the North East in most habitats
South African Cliff Swallow — a single was near the Wonderfontein pans on 13th.
Rock Martin — common along the escarpment edge in the North-east and in the mountains around the Cape.
Grey-rumped Swallow — only seen in Kruger NP with 2 on the 15th.
Brown-throated Martin — overall the commonest hirundine with birds around nearly every body of water in the North-east and in the Cape.
Banded Martin — only two seen, a single at Tienie Versfeld on 23rd and another single at Koppie Alleen, De Hoop NP on 28th.
Black Sawwing — one, at most two, at Kruger NP on 15th.
Grey Cuckooshrike — a pair were at Grootvanderbosch on 27th.
Fork-tailed Drongo — common across the North-east.
Black-headed Oriole — seen in riverside woodland in Kruger NP on 15th.
Cape Crow — seen nr Mount Sheba on 14th. Seen commonly across the Overberg on 27-29th.
Pied Crow — a common species seen almost daily and particularly common along the West Coast.
House Crow — seen only on Cape Flats on 18th nr Cape Town Airport.
White-necked Raven — first seen on the Escarpment nr Graskop on 16th. In the Cape seen in the mountains and in the Overberg on a daily basis
Grey Tit — first seen with two in West Coast NP on 24th. A pair was at Eierkop on 26th.
Southern Black Tit — relatively common in acacia woodland in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Grey Penduline Tit — 3-4 birds seen in a mixed feeding flock in Kruger NP on 15th.
Arrow-marked Babbler — seen commonly in Kruger NP on 17th.
Cape Bulbul — first seen at Boulders Beach on 20th. A common and noisy resident in most areas of fynbos.
Dark-capped Bulbul — common in the grounds of Hippo Hollow and picnic areas of Kruger NP.
Terrestrial Bulbul — only found at Mount Sheba on 14th.
Yellow-streaked Bulbul — only found at Mount Sheba on 14th.
Sombre Bulbul — common around Skukuza in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th. Found in the regeneration areas of Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Kurrichane Thrush — only seen at Hippo Hollow, with two pairs present most mornings.
Olive Thrush — first seen on the lower slopes of Table Mountain on 19th. It was relatively common at Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Cape Rock Thrush — a single bird was in song at Robber’s Pass on the 14th.
Sentinel Rock Thrush — a single bird was at Sir Lowry’s Pass on 29th.
Mountain Wheatear — the first, a grey phase was seen nr Op-Die-Berg on 25th. The species was common nr Katbakkies and nr the R355/R356 junction in the Tanqua Karoo on 26th.
Capped Wheatear — first seen on the turn off to Darling Hills on 23rd. A common roadside bird nr Paternoster and particularly in the West Coast NP and De Hoop NR.
Buff-streaked Chat — a single bird was in song at Robber’s Pass on the 14th
Familiar Chat — seen in most rocky habitats in the North-east and the Cape. Very common around Klein Cedarberg on 26th.
Tractrac Chat — a single seen in the Tanqua Karoo, north of Eierkop on 26th.
Sickle-winged Chat — four or five seen in the farm land between Vreddenberg and Paternoster on 24th.
Mocking Cliff-chat — a single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
African Stonechat — common in the North-east and the Cape.
Chorister Robin Chat — only seen in the mixed flock on the walk to Marco’s Mantle, Mount Sheba on 14th.
Cape Robin Chat — a common garden bird in Cape Town and most of the Cape. A particularly confiding pair was nesting on top of the water heater in the restaurant toilet in Buchu Bush Camp and would join us for breakfast.
White-browed Robin Chat — a single was found at Mount Sheba on 14th, and one was holding territory at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Cape Rockjumper — two birds found at Sir Lowry’s Pass on 29th.
Karoo Scrub Robin — first seen at Langebaan on 24th. Common, if often inconspicuous resident of the fynbos and Tanqua Karoo scrub.
Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler — first seen in west coast NP on 24th. Also found at Katbakkies and Eierkop on 26th.
Layard’s Tit Babbler — a single bird was calling and showing well at Katbakkies on 26th.
Lesser Swamp Warbler — a single bird at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Dark-capped Yellow Warbler — a single at Hippo Hollow on 14th.
Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler — one, perhaps two, in the mixed feeding flock at Mount Sheba on 14th.
Bar-throated Apalis — first seen at West Coast NP on 24th. Thereafter seen in fynbos across the Cape.
Long-billed Crombec — seen in a mixed feeding flock in Kruger on 15th and again on 17th.
Karoo Eremomela — a noisy male at Eierkop on 26th.
Green-capped Eremomela — one or more in a flowering tree in Kruger NP on 17th.
Green-backed Camaroptera — one at Hippo Hollow on 14th.
Cape Grassbird — first seen at Mount Sheba on 14th. In the cape commonly seen in fynbos at West Coast NP, De Hoop NR and Grootvaderbosch.
Zitting Cisticola — Although heard in a number of places in the Cape, only seen at De Hoop on 28th.
Cloud Cisticola — two pairs were seen at Tienie Versfeld on 24th.
Grey-backed Cisticola — the first was seen at Tienie Versfeld on 23rd. Thereafter seen regularly in fynbos around the Cape.
Wailing Cisticola — seen nr Graskop on 16th.
Levaillant's Cisticola — a pair were at Wonderfontein pans on 13th.
Croaking Cisticola — seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Neddicky — first seen on Table Mountain on 19th and thereafter in most areas of fynbos around the Cape
Karoo Prinia— first seen on Table Mountain on 19th and thereafter in most areas of fynbos around the Cape
Tawny-flanked Prinia — found at Hippo Hollow on the morning of 14th and in Kruger NP on 17th.
African Dusky Flycatcher — seen at Skukuza on 15th and Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Ashy Flycatcher — one or two at Hippo Hollow on 14th and 16th.
Southern Black Flycatcher — very common around Hippo Hollow.
Fiscal Flycatcher — Although first seen nr Paternoster on 25th, it was only at Grootvaderbosch and De Hoop that this species was common.
Cape Batis — a pair were at Mount Sheba on 14th. A small flock was found at Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Chinspot Batis — seen in Kruger on 15th and 17th.
Fairy Flycatcher — common at Katbakkies on 26th, and also found at Eierkop on the same day.
African Pied Wagtail — a family of six were seen daily at Hippo Hollow on 14-17th.
Mountain Wagtail — a single at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Cape Wagtail — common and seen daily in the North-east and the Cape.
African Pipit — found in most short grassland areas in the North-east and the Cape. Particularly common in the Postberg section of West Coast NP and the grazed areas on De Hoop.
Long-billed Pipit — first seen nr Paternoster on 24th. Appeared common in Overberg and in parts of De Hoop.
Plain-backed Pipit — a pair nr Grootvaderbosch on 26th & 27th.
Cape Longclaw — first seen at Waylands Reserve on 23rd. Not uncommon in the wildflower areas on the West Coast.
Yellow-throated Longclaw — a single seen at Hippo Hollow on 17th
Common Fiscal Shrike — Common in the North-east and Cape and seen daily.
Magpie Shrike — Common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Southern Boubou — first seen in Kruger NP on 15th. Seemingly common in the Cape where it was found in gardens and fynbos.
Black-backed Puffback — singles seen at Hippo Hollow on 14th and Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Brubru — a pair seen in Kruger NP on 15th
Southern Tchagra — 2-3 birds seen at De Hoop NR on 28th
Brown-crowned Tchagra — seen in Kruger NP on 15th and 17th
Black-crowned Tchagra — seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Bokmakerie — first seen at Waylands on 23rd, and then seen daily in most fynbos habitats.
Orange-breasted Bush Shrike — a single seen in Kruger NP on 17th.
Olive Bush Shrike — a single seen nr Graskop on 16th.
Grey-headed Bush Shrike — a pair seen at Satara in Kruger NP on 17th.
White-crested Helmet Shrike — a family group was found in Kruger NP on 15th.
Southern White-crowned Shrike — a single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
European Starling — Common in the built up areas around Cape Town.
Common Mynah — two at the service station on the N12 west of Belfast.
African Pied Starling — in the northeast this was a common roadside bird in the highveld, but not seen around Kruger and Hazyview. Again it was a common roadside bird in the Cape.
Wattled Starling — a flock seen near Orpen gate on 17th. In the Cape it was common in the West Coast NP, especially the lawns of the Geelbek Manor House, on 24th.
Burchell’s Starling — relatively common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Cape Glossy Starling — relatively scarce in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Greater Blue-eared Starling — extremely common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th especially around the picnic areas.
Red-winged Starling — first seen at Mount Sheba on 14th. In the Cape peninsula this is a common town bird.
Red-billed Oxpecker — seen mainly on Giraffe & Elephant in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Cape Sugarbird — First seen in Kirstenbosch Gardens on 19th. In was not common in Protea stands in Klein Cedarberg, De Hoop NR, and Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Malachite Sunbird — first seen at Boulder’s Beach in the gardens on 20th. Thereafter regularly seen in the fynbos across the Cape.
Orange-breasted Sunbird — A common species in the fynbos in the Cape. First found on Table Mountain on 19th.
Marico Sunbird — only found around Satara in Kruger NP on 17th.
Southern Double-collared Sunbird — first seen in Kirstenbosch BG on 19th, and thereafter seen commonly in fynbos habitat around the Cape.
Greater Double-collared Sunbird — common around Hippo Hollow on 14-17th. Also seen at Grootvaderbosch on 26th & 27th.
Amethyst Sunbird — a few were seen daily at Hippo Hollow. It was also seen at Mount Sheba on 14th.
Collared Sunbird — 3-4 birds seen daily around the flowering trees at Hippo Hollow 14th -17th.
Cape White-eye — common and conspicuous almost everywhere. They were particularly common in the forests at Mount Sheba and Grootvaderbosch.
House Sparrow — seen regularly in towns and villages in the North-east and the Cape
Cape Sparrow — first seen in Cape Town on 21st. Thereafter seen daily in most habitats.
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow — a single bird was at Hippo Hollow on 16th. Two were at Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Village Weaver — seen at Hippo Hollow 14-17th.
Cape Weaver — in the North- east only seen at Hippo Hollow. In the Cape this was the commonest weaver and seen in almost all habitats.
Southern Masked Weaver — the commonest of the masked weavers and seen regularly in the North-east, particularly the Highveld, and in the Cape.
Lesser Masked Weaver — seen regularly in Kruger NP.
Red-billed Quelea — a very common species in the North-east.
Southern Red Bishop — first were seen at Dolphin Beach pans on 23rd. Thereafter a common site in agricultural lands and reed edged ditches across the Cape.
Yellow Bishop — very common in the agricultural lands along the West Coast of the Cape and in the Overberg.
Long-tailed Widowbird — seen at the service station stop on the N12 on 14th.
Green-winged Pytila — seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
African Firefinch — a small flock were found in Kruger NP on 14th.
Jameson’s Firefinch — 2-3 birds at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Blue Waxbill — Common in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th. Recorded at Hippo Hollow on 16th.
Common Waxbill — 5 birds were at Dolphin Beach pans on 23rd.
Swee Waxbill — first recorded with a flock of 10 at Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens on 19th. A flock of 15-20 was around Honeywood Farm, Grootvaderbosch on 26th & 27th.
Bronze Mannikin — a flock of 10-12 birds at Hippo Hollow on 14-16th.
Pin-tailed Whydah — a male recorded at Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Yellow-fronted Canary — only seen at Hippo Hollow 14-17th.
Cape Canary — first seen in Camps Bay on 19th. The commonest canary in wooded areas in the Cape region.
Forest Canary — 3-4 seen at Grootvaderbosch on 27th.
Brimstone Canary — first seen nr Silwerstroomstrand on 23rd. Thereafter seen daily in small numbers around the Cape.
Yellow Canary — first seen at Silwerstroomstrand on 23rd. Not uncommon on the West Coast and at De Hoop NR.
White-throated Canary — first seen at Langebaan and the West Coast NP on 24th. Also seen at Katbakkies on 26th and De Hoop NR on 28th.
Protea Seed-eater — a pair seen at close range at Klein Cedarberg on 26th.
Streaky-headed Seed-eater — a pair seen at De Hoop on 28th.
Golden-breasted Bunting — a common roadside bird in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Cape Bunting — first seen at Langebaan on 24th. Thereafter seen daily in most rocky and fynbos habitats.
Also, heard only were Fiery-necked Nightjar and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
Mammals
Bat sp — common around Hippo Hollow where bat boxes are used to encourage them to control the local insect population.
Cape Hare — few animals were seen close to Klein Cedarberg on the evening of 25th and on the morning of the 26th.
Tree Squirrel — a single seen in Kruger NP on 15th.
Chacma Baboon — Seen in Kruger NP, De Hoop NP and Sir Lowry’s pass. This species can be a bit of a menace and aggressive troops are best given a wide berth.
Vervet Monkey — seen in Kruger on 15th & 17th and particularly around the picnic areas.
African Short-clawed Otter — two seen in the Highveld in a lake by a service station west of Belfast.
Yellow Mongoose — common in the Overberg.
Slender Mongoose — a single seen in Kruger on 15th.
Lion — A single female was seen nr Tshokwane on 17th. A pride of five females and a single male were seen nr Satara the same day.
Leopard — a single young animal seen near Phabeni gate on the evening of 15th.
Rock Dassie — strangely missing from the top of Table Mountain, but a few were present at Boulder’s Beach on 20th and at West Coast NP on 24th.
Elephant — Common in Kruger NP and the roads were often strewn with debris and dropping showing they were close.
Burchell’s Zebra — common on both days in the Kruger NP.
Cape Mountain Zebra — seen in West Coast NP on 24th and De Hoop NR on 28th.
Hippopotamus — family groups seen around the larger waterholes in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th. An adult and young visited Hippo Hollow in the evening of the 17th.
Warthog — family groups were seen on both dates in Kruger NP
Giraffe — a regular sight in Kruger NP on 15th & 17th.
Eland — a herd found in West Coast NP on 24th and De Hoop NR on 28th.
Greater Kudu — seen in small numbers in Kruger NP.
Bushbuck — one in Kruger NP on 17th.
Gemsbok — one or two seen in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Waterbuck — seen in small numbers in Kruger NP.
Bontebok — common in West Coast NP and De Hoop NR.
Blue Wildebeest — Seen in relatively small numbers in Kruger NP on 17th and West Coast NP on 24th.
Grey Rhesbok — seen in field edges away from the parks and reserves in the Cape.
Springbok — first seen from the N12 on 18th. Common in the West Coast NP on 24th.
Impala — the commonest antelope in Kruger
Klipspringer — a pair seen in Kruger NP on 17th.
Steenbok — a few seen as singles in Kruger NP on 17th.
Duiker — a single seen in Kruger NP on 17th
Grysbok — seen in De Hoop on 28th.
Cape Buffalo — large herds were found on both dates in Kruger NP.
Cape Fur Seal — seen off Cape point and as far out as we went (30nm).
Common Dolphin - A pod of sixty of so were seen just of Cape Point on the pelagic of 22nd
Humpback Dolphin — a family party were playing on the surf at Koppie Alleen on 28th.
Southern Right Whale — two seen from the boat in the morning of the pelagic of Cape Point on 22nd. A further three were seen near Simon Town’s harbour on the way back in the evening. Another five were seen from the road around False bay that evening. A Koppie Alleen at De Hoop NP on the 28th a constant stream of mother and calves were moving along the shore line. Further out whales were seen regularly breaching. At a guess more than twenty whales were present.
