Inala's Western South Africa Birds, Mammals and Wildflowers Tour
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Inala’s Western South Africa
Birds, Mammals and
Wildflowers Tour
8-25 September 2021 (18 days)
Cape Rockjumper by A. Riley Spring Wildflowers near Darling by T. Cochran
We are pleased to offer this tour again in 2021 as one of our regular and favourite destinations.
On this tour, we journey from South Africa’s mother city, Cape Town, through the planet’s smallest
and richest floral kingdom to the sands of the Kalahari Desert. In our quest for endemic birds and
wildflower displays we will encounter some of the continent’s most exciting mammals from the
endearing meerkat to the mighty African Lion. We also have a good chance to see some of the more
unusual and seldom-seen species such as Aardvark, Aardwolf, Cape Porcupine, the rare Black-footed
Cat and Cape Hedgehog.
This time we have also added an extension to the famous Kruger National Park which provides the
opportunity to see the ‘Big 5” and several other specialties.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
ITINERARY OUTLINE:
Day 1. Wed 8 Sept 21. Arrive Cape Town & transfer to hotel
Day 2. Thu 9 Sept 21. Cape Town to Boulders Beach and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Day 3, Fri 10 Sept 21. Rooi-Els, Betty’s Bay and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
Day 4. Sat 11 Sept 21. Cape Town environs, including Kirstenbosch, to Langebaan
Day 5. Sun 12 Sept 21. West Coast National Park
Day 6. Mon 13 Sept 21. Langebaan to Nieuwoudtville
Day 7. Tue 14 Sept 21. Nieuwoudtville area
Day 8. Wed 15 Sept 21. Nieuwoudtville to Springbok
Day 9. Thu 16 Sept 21. Springbok to Augrabies Falls National Park
Day 10. Fri 17 Sept 21. Augrabies Falls NP
Day 11. Sat 18 Sept 21. Augrabies Falls NP to Van Zylsrus
Day 12. Sun 19 Sept 21. Morning with the Meerkats and on to Twee Rivieren
Days 13 & 14. Mon 20 & Tue 21 Sept 21. Kgalagadi NP
Day 15. Wed 22 Sept 21. Twee Rivieren to Marrick
Day 16. Thu 23 Sept 21. Explore Marrick
Day 17. Fri 24 Sept 21. Mokala NP
Day 18. Sat 25 Sept 21. Kimberley to Johannesburg & depart
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1. Wednesday 8 September 2021. Arrive Cape Town & transfer to hotel. We request that all
participants arrive today which allows us to maximise our touring on the first day of our itinerary. We will
organise a private transfer for each group as they arrive at the airport and the group will meet for a welcome
dinner at 18:30. Accommodation: Hotel in a seaside village at the foot of mountains near Cape Town (en suite
rooms). Meals included: D.
Day 2. Thursday 9 September 2021: Cape
Town to Boulders Beach and Cape of Good
Hope Nature Reserve. We will start our tour
with a visit to the famous African Penguin
colony at nearby Boulders Beach. Here, as many
as five hundred penguins grace the beach and
we will enjoy superb viewing and photographic
opportunities. Here we will also look out for the
endemic African Oystercatcher along the
adjacent rocky shorelines and scan an offshore
Orange-breasted Sunbird by G. de Klerk
islet for breeding populations of endemic
Crowned, Bank and Cape Cormorants. In the afternoon, we continue south along the scenic Atlantic
coastline to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The scenery, at the south-westerly tip of the African
continent, is wild, rugged and spectacular. Here we will get our first insight into the uniqueness and
beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The thick stands of Protea support the magnificent Orange-breasted
Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird. Several interesting mammals occur here and we have a good chance of
seeing Rock Hyrax, Bontebok, Chacma Baboon and if we are lucky the rare Cape Mountain Zebra. We
conclude the day with a breath-taking coastal drive through the quaint villages of Scarborough and
Kommetjie. Accommodation: Hotel near Cape Town (en suite rooms) as for last night. Meals included: B,
L, D.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Day 3. Friday 10 September 2021.
Rooi-Els, Betty’s Bay and Harold
Porter Botanical Gardens. A diverse
array of birding habitats are present
around Cape Town and today we will
visit a variety of sites, ranging from
wetlands to fynbos and marine
shoreline. We will make our way early
to the rugged Hottentots-Holland
Mountains in search of one of South
Africa’s finest endemics: the
handsome Cape Rockjumper. Though
strikingly plumaged and conspicuous
Cape Sugarbird by Greg de Klerk
by their vocalisations, these
charismatic birds possess an incredible ability to disappear amongst the boulders and we will need a
dash of luck to get good sightings of these elusive creatures. Rocky outcrops here also support the odd
Ground Woodpecker as well as Chacma Baboon and the agile Klipspringer, a unique and highly
specialised antelope. The sandy and highly acidic substrate here supports rich mountain flora littered
with an interesting variety of bulbs and annuals. A staggering 1600 plant species have been recorded
in the area, with over 150 of these endemic to the region. After lunch we will explore the nearby Harold
Porter Botanical Gardens, famous among bird and plant enthusiasts. We will amble through the
cultivated and wild areas on the lookout for Gladioli, Watsonia and Erica species in flower as well as
rare Gondwanan species such as the Mountain Cypress Widdringtonia nodiflora and Real Yellowwood
African Penguin by G. de Klerk
Podocarpus latifolius. Bird highlights may include Black Saw-wing, Bar-throated Apalis and Swee
Waxbill. For those with diverse interests this Botanical Garden is also a local hotspot for dragonflies. In
the late afternoon we will make our way back to Cape Town with a stop at the Harmony Flats Nature
Reserve if time permits; this tiny reserve is the only protected area which conserves Lourensford
Alluvial Fynbos – often considered the most threatened vegetation type in South Africa!
Accommodation: Hotel near Cape Town (en suite rooms) as for last night. Meals included: B, L, D.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Day 4. Saturday 11 September 2021.
Cape Town environs (Kirstenbosch) to
Langebaan. We begin the day with a visit
to the immaculately landscaped
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens nestled on
the slopes of Table Mountain. Here we will
spend a few hours strolling around the
many fascinating displays of this world-
famous botanical garden. The gardens are
also home to a plethora of endemic birds
restricted to the Macchia-like vegetation of
the southern tip of Africa and we should
find the endemic Cape Grassbird and
attractive Southern Double-collared Kirstenbosch Gardens floral scene by Glen Valentine
Sunbird as well as the spectacular Malachite Sunbird. The natural vegetation surrounding the gardens
is one of the few places where species such as the Silver Tree (Leucadendron argenteum) grows in the
wild. In the mid-morning we will make our way up the West coast, stopping at Tienie Versveld
Wildflower Reserve. The granitic soils of the reserve can hold some very impressive spring flower
displays and we hope for a variety of Babiana, Ixia, Lachenalia and Drosera species in flower. Two birds
of note include the distinctive, localised sub-species of both Cape Clapper Lark and Cloud Cisticola.
Accommodation: B&B in Langebaan. Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 5. Sunday 12 September 2021. West Coast National Park (WCNP). We have the whole day to
explore the avian, mammal and floral wonders of the West Coast National Park, including the globally
important wetland site of Langebaan Lagoon. Here large numbers of waders spend the northern winter
here and we will scan for shorebirds including Kittlitz’s Plover, the localised Chestnut-banded Plover
and Terek Sandpiper. In addition, these areas also support large numbers of Greater and Lesser
Flamingo, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler and other waterfowl. This also happens to be one of
the best places on earth to search for the very striking Black Harrier, a regional endemic and a highly
sought-after species! If all is well and we have had a good wet year, we can also expect one of the world’s
Black Harrier by Wayne Jones most remarkable wildflower displays.
Here, in the Postberg section of the
reserve (which is only open to the
public in August-September during the
wildflower season), the typically green
and rather drab hills transform into an
extravagance of colour and beauty that
is sure to take your breath away. Unique
mammals that we will keep a lookout
for include Cape Grysbok, Cape
Mountain Zebra and if we are very
fortunate, Caracal, a spectacular
medium sized wild cat resembling a
lynx. Accommodation: B&B in
Langebaan as for last night. Meals included: B, L, D.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Day 6. Monday 13 September 2021. Langebaan to Nieuwoudtville. After breakfast we will make
our way to the nearby Berg River estuary where the rich, slow-flowing waters support a great selection
of shorebirds. This site is especially good for Chestnut-banded Plover and often houses South African
rarities like Red-necked Phalarope. Continuing north we will make a stop at Paleisheuwel, just south of
Clanwilliam, arguably the best and most accessible site in the world for Protea Canary. In the late
afternoon, we will make our way up the dramatic Van Rhyns Pass to the small town of Nieuwoudtville,
gateway to the spring flower displays of Namaqualand. Accommodation: B&B in Niewoudtville. Meals
included: B, L, D.
Day 7. Tuesday 14 September 2021.
Nieuwoudtville area. This lonely but
beautiful corner of South Africa is a visual joy
in spring, and the day will be spent exploring
farms and reserves in the area for the best
spring flower displays and enjoying the
wildlife of the area. Of particular interest to us
here is the diversity of bulbs (nowhere else in
the world are bulbs as diverse as they are
here!) in addition to the numerous plants
endemic to the area. In this relatively small
region we find as many as four different plant
biomes converging, creating one of the richest
areas for plants in the world. Today is bound
Common Eland & wildflowers in the Postberg section
to be a very memorable day for us all as we
of the West Coast NP by Adam Riley uncover the area’s fascinating plant life.
Whilst in the area we may visit the Nieuwoudtville Falls, where we will look for Pale-winged Starling
and the highly sought-after Ground Woodpecker, and the Nieuwoudtville Wildflower Reserve, where
we are sure to find numerous flowering geophytes, including representatives of well-known genera like
Gladiolus, Bulbinella, Romulea, Ixia and the amazingly decorative Geissorhiza. Accommodation: B&B in
Niewoudtville as for last night. Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 8. Wednesday 15 September 2021.
Nieuwoudtville to Springbok. After a spell of
birding around our accommodations we will
commence the drive north. Not long after
departing we enter the Knersvlakte, a desolate
and barren looking land with a gently
undulating topography. The barren appearance
belies the treasure-chest of stone plants (Vygies
and Lithops of the family Aizoaceae
(Mesembryanthemaceae) that litter these
quartz plains. We are now in the heart of the Geissorhiza splendidissima (Blue Pride-of-
succulent capital of the world and will leave the Nieuwoudtville) by Richard White
confines of the car to amble this wild garden of miniature, fleshy-leaved plants. By way of birds these
plains are home to the wondrous Secretarybird, the endemic Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ant-
eating Chat and Cape Crow, among many others. Further north the landscape turns more rugged as we
pass through tiny remote farming settlements. In the flat areas we will look for Karoo Lark and Karoo
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Chat. If time permits, we will make for Skilpad Wildflower Reserve that showcases a wonderful selection
of spring flowers, including a variety of daisies, bulbs and geraniums. The ghostly but spectacular tree
aloe (Aloe dichotoma) will become evident as we approach the town of Springbok. In the late afternoon
we will explore gravel roads in the area for some of the more difficult species like Black-headed Canary,
Black-eared Sparrow-Lark and Ludwig's Bustard. Accommodation: Springbok B & B. Meals included:
B, L, D.
Day 9. Thursday 16 September 2021. Springbok to
Augrabies Falls National Park. This morning we will visit
the famed Goegap Nature Reserve, notable for its superb
birding, great displays of wildflowers, and interesting
selection of mammals, including Klipspringer, Hartmann’s
Mountain Zebra and Chacma Baboon. Birds of interest to us
in this parched wilderness include Cinnamon-breasted
Warbler, Karoo Eremomela and Layard’s Warbler. Leaving
Namaqualand and the wildflower heartland behind us, we
now enter the stark beauty of Bushmanland. The massive
nests of the Sociable Weaver will become apparent and we
will keep our eyes open for the endearing Pygmy Falcon
that often uses these big nests to roost. In the early
afternoon we arrive at the impressive Augrabies Falls
where we will have time to enjoy a walk around the chalets
Argyroderma sp by Richard White
and view the marvellous falls as it thunders through a tiny
gap in the rocks and pours into the gorge below. In wet
years this makes for a very impressive spectacle indeed! In the Camelthorn Acacia trees in the camp we
will enjoy the rich birdlife and mammals of the area including Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer. In the early
evening, we will take a night drive into the park in an attempt to find Cape Eagle-Owl, Cape Porcupine,
Small Spotted Genet, Cape Hare, the rather bizarre-looking Springhare and Bat-eared Fox.
Accommodation: Augrabies Falls NP (en suite chalet). Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 10. Friday 17 September 2021.
Augrabies Falls National Park. Today
we have a full day to explore the variety
of dramatic landscapes within
Augrabies Falls National Park. The
lunar-like, rocky outcrops and steep
cliff faces not far from camp are home
to Black Stork, Pale-winged Starling,
Peregrine Falcon, Short-toed Rock
Thrush and Verreaux’s Eagle. Beautiful,
multi-coloured Broadley’s Flat Lizards
are conspicuous as they sun themselves
Aloe dichotoma & Karoo scenery by Markus Liljem
on the granite rocks. As we explore
these breath-taking but barren
landscapes we will also enjoy mammal viewing with the chance to see Slender Mongoose, the striking
Gemsbok (Southern Oryx) and Springbok. Accommodation: Augrabies Falls NP chalet as for last night.
Meals included: B, L, D.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Day 11. Saturday 18 September 2021.
Augrabies Falls to Van Zylsrus. After
breakfast and some final birding in
Augrabies Falls National Park we will make
our way to Van Zylsrus. While today is a
travel day, we will enjoy wonderful scenery
and enjoy plenty of comfort stops on the
way. In the late afternoon we will arrive in
the small town of Van Zylsrus surrounded
by typical Kalahari scenery of crooked
Acacia trees and rust-red sand dunes
cloaked in golden grass. Accommodation:
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater by Glen Valentine Hotel in Van Zylsrus (en suite room). Meals
included: B, L, D.
Day 12. Sunday 19 September 2021. Morning with Meerkats and onto Twee Rivieren. This
morning we will join a local researcher from the Kalahari Meerkat Research Project (a Cambridge
University initiative) spending a few hours observing a group of wild but habituated meerkats. This is
the very place where Meerkat Manor was filmed and we will enjoy this fantastic opportunity to observe
these endearing and fascinating creatures up close in the company of a scientist-in-training.
After our time with the meerkats we will make the journey north in order to arrive at the spectacular
Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park by mid-afternoon. Our camp, Twee Rivieren or ‘Two Rivers’, is
so named as it lies at the confluence of two broad, sandy riverbeds that, in most years, remain
completely dry. For the afternoon we will embark on a short drive up one of the riverbeds to search for
the wonderful diversity of mammals and birds of the Kalahari. Accommodation: Kgalagadi NP (en suite
chalets/rooms). Meals included: B, L, D.
Days 13 & 14. Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 September 2021.
Kalagadi Transfrontier Park. We have two full days to
explore the parched riverbeds, waterholes and dune-scapes of
the Kalahari and can expect some exciting birding and mammal
viewing. The regal Gemsbok is common here as are Springbok
and Blue Wildebeest and we have an excellent chance of seeing
the huge, black-maned Kalahari Lions that the park is famous
for. These river beds are also excellent for Cheetah and we
stand a good chance of seeing Black-backed Jackal, Yellow
Mongoose, South African Ground Squirrel, Honey Badger, both
Cape and Bat-eared Foxes. Large birds are a conspicuous
feature of the landscape and include Lappet-faced Vulture and
the stately Secretarybird. The park is well known for its
diversity of raptors and an impressive forty species have been Lion by Leon Fouche
recorded here. We will be on the lookout for Tawny Eagle,
Bateleur, Brown Snake Eagle and Gabar Goshawk. It is also along the dry riverbeds that we will be
looking for some of the scarcer residents such as Red-necked Falcon, African Harrier-Hawk, Green
Wood Hoopoe and Green-winged Pytilia. A night-drive will give us a chance for finding a wide selection
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
of mammals including African Wild Cat, Porcupine, Leopard, Springhare and the rare Brown Hyena.
Accommodation: Kgalagadi NP as for last night. Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 15. Wednesday 22
September 2021. Twee
Rivieren to Marrick. After
breakfast this morning, we will
leave Twee Rivieren and drive
east and south to the fabled
mining town of Kimberley,
where we will arrive in the
early evening at a private
wildlife property.
Accommodation: Kimberley
(cottages on property grounds-
accommodation is restricted
here so we will endeavour to
provide en suite rooms
Aardvark by Rich Lindie wherever possible). Meals
included: B, L, D.
Days 16 & 17. Thursday 23 and Friday 24 September 2021. Mokala NP. This area is located in a
zone where various biomes converge from the east, west and north, thus resulting in an interesting mix
of avifauna. Mokala National Park, South Africa’s most recently proclaimed national park, is best park
to explore in this area. We will spend two full days in this area and take some time to bird the mosaic of
grassland and acacia thornveld; species that can be found in these habitats include the strikingly
marked Northern Black and Red-crested Korhaans, stunning Crimson-breasted Shrike, Marico
Flycatcher, Kori Bustard, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Long-billed Crombec, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater,
Temminck’s and Double-banded Coursers, Cape Longclaw, Common Scimitarbill, Eastern Clapper and
Fawn-coloured Larks and Shaft-tailed Whydah. There are good numbers of game in the park too and
we should encounter a wide range of antelope and have a chance for Giraffe, White Rhinoceros, Roan
and Sable Antelopes and African Buffalo. We will
have two night-drives whilst here and our focus
will be to locate and observe the sought-after,
nocturnal specials. The inexplicable Aardvark
tops the list of amazing possible beasts in the area,
while other highlights include the endearing
Aardwolf, the rare Black-footed Cat, Bat-eared
Fox, Cape Porcupine, Southern African Hedgehog
and the unusual Springhare. On previous night-
drives in this region over 20 mammal species
have been recorded in a single evening! Night
birds include Spotted Eagle-owl and Western
Barn Owl and the migratory Rufous-cheeked
Crimson-breasted Shrike by Adam Riley Nightjar. Accommodation: Kimberley as for last
night. Meals included: B, L, D both days.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Day 18. Saturday 25 September 2021. Kimberley to Johannesburg. This morning we will fly back
to Johannesburg (additional cost outlined below). Accommodation: none. Meals included: B.
Based on a group size of 6-12 participants + Inala leader + local guide.
Tour Price: AUD$14,955 per person twin share. Single supplement AU$1,100.
Kimberley to Johannesburg flight on day 18 is an additional estimated cost of AUD$200 per person. We can
arrange that for you, or you can book this yourself (we will advise which flight to book so the group are together).
Additional accommodation can be booked for you in Cape Town (pre-tour) and Johannesburg (post-tour) if
required. Please enquire about additional costs.
Inclusions: Accommodation for each night of the tour, specialist guiding and transport for day and night tours
as outlined in the itinerary, all meals (B, L, D) and activities outlined in the itinerary and National Park entry fees.
Exclusions: any international and domestic airfares, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and expenses of a
personal nature (snacks, travel insurance, internet, laundry, tips etc).
Please note:
• The bulk of the tour costs have been converted from South African Rand, a currency that, like most, is
subject to fluctuating exchange rates. While we will do all possible to honour the above prices we may
have little choice but to adjust these prices if there is a notable strengthening of the South African Rand.
Furthermore, rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small
party supplement may be charged. We would always discuss this with you beforehand.
• Meals and drinks: Breakfast generally consists of a continental style breakfast with cereal, fruit and
yoghurt and tea/coffee. Full cooked breakfast is not generally offered at most locations. Lunch will
generally consist of a packed lunch style meal eaten in the field, with sandwich/filled roll, fruit, and a
drink. Dinner usually consists of several options for main with the choice of either an appetiser or
dessert. Drinks (soft and alcoholic) are generally not included but at lunches and breakfasts juice may
be made available.
• The itinerary: Whilst we aim to follow the itinerary as planned, please note that the itinerary provided
should only be used as a guideline. Depending on individual trip circumstances, weather, and local
information, the exact itinerary may not be strictly adhered to. The guides reserve the right to make
changes to the itinerary as they see fit.
• The intensity and quality of Wildflower displays is influenced dramatically by rain and heat and their
impressiveness can vary from one year to the next. This tour is designed to visit the region’s best
locations at the best possible times under normal circumstances. The tour will run regardless as
conditions can change very quickly and even in poor years there is still a great deal to experience
botanically.
• We do spend a considerable amount of time in vehicles as we have to cover long distances in order to get
to the best areas for birds and animals. In all areas that contain potentially dangerous animals you are
confined to the vehicle and are, quite understandably, not allowed to exit. In these places there are toilet
stops at specified locations.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217
Map of route of the tour
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217Kruger National Park
extension
25-30 September 2021
Bateleur by M. Coetzee
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most famous and fabulous reserves. On this birding and
wildlife safari we will explore the area’s superb road system in our quest to locate some of the most
iconic birds and big game in Africa, including the legendary “Big 5” - Lion, African Elephant, Leopard,
African Buffalo and Rhinoceros. Kruger provides an excellent opportunity to witness these spectacular
beasts in their natural habitat, with some of them in large numbers and at very close quarters. In
addition, the park’s rich bushveld habitat will provide us with amongst the most exciting and
rewarding birding to be had anywhere in Africa. Of special note here are species requiring vast areas
of wilderness, such as Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard, the incomparable Southern Ground Hornbill,
Martial Eagle, Bateleur, up to five species of vulture and an incredible diversity of other raptors!
ITINERARY OUTLINE:
Day 1. Sat 25 Sept 21. Arrive Johannesburg
Day 2. Sun 26 Sept 21. Travel Johannesburg to Kruger National Park
Days 3 - 5. Mon 27- Wed 29 Sept 21. Kruger NP
Day 6. Thu 30 Sept 21. Kruger NP to Johannesburg and depart.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1. Saturday 25 September 2021. Arrive Johannesburg (those travelling on from the main tour
will be returning from Kimberley today). We will have dinner together this evening to discuss the plans
for the tour. Accommodation: Johannesburg (en suite rooms). Meals included: D.
Day 2. Sunday 26 September 2021: Arrive Kruger National Park. We will depart Johannesburg this
morning after breakfast and travel to Kruger
Lilac-breasted Roller by G. Robbins
National Park. On arrival in the heart of the
National Park, we have a fantastic opportunity
to encounter some of Kruger’s great mammals
and special birds this afternoon, which could
include any of the ‘Big Five’. We will almost
certainly be entertained by regular herds of
Plains Zebra, Common Wildebeest and Impala,
while smaller groups of Warthog, Greater Kudu
and Giraffe will also be a constant feature. In the
mid to late afternoon we will arrive at our
perfectly situated camp and base for the next
four nights. There will be an option after dinner
this evening to do a night walk around camp
and this will offer us an excellent chance of seeing African Scops Owl and Western Barn Owl, while
possibilities of finding Spotted Hyena patrolling the surrounding fence are good. Falling asleep to the
calls of African Scops Owl, Spotted Hyena and roaring Lion is a very special experience indeed.
Accommodation: Skukuza Rest Camp (en suite rooms). Meals included: B, L, D.
Days 3 to 5. Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 September 2021: Kruger National Park. The Greater
Kruger conservation area incorporates vast areas of adjacent Mozambique and Zimbabwe and forms
one of the largest reserves on earth! It is also
one of Africa’s most diverse parks, protecting
a huge variety of wildlife. Here, in the central
part of the park, the area is dominated by open
grassy plains and sparsely vegetated
woodlands. The birding and game viewing in
this region is excellent with many bird species
attending mixed flocks, particularly in acacia
dominated woodland. In fact, the acacia
savanna that dominates most of the Kruger
National Park contains one of the highest
densities of birds of any habitat type in the Lion by A. Riley
world! This, coupled with the immense variety
of game that we will endeavour to see, ensures
a truly unforgettable African experience. Over the course of the next four days we will bird around our
camp and take day trips to various other habitats within a few hours’ drive.
The denser bushveld, woodlands and gallery forest of the southern section of the park are host to one
of the most mouth-watering species that we hope to find, the majestic Southern Ground Hornbill that
is often seen striding around in small groups. We will certainly be treated to many encounters with
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217the gaudy Lilac-breasted Roller. Raptors are
numerous throughout the reserve and we
will no doubt enjoy sightings of the striking
Bateleur as well as Tawny and Wahlberg’s
Eagles, Hooded, White-headed, White-
backed and huge Lappet-faced Vultures, and
the handsome African Fish Eagle, while
other possibilities include Shikra, Lizard
Buzzard, Gabar and Dark Chanting
Goshawks, the scarce but extremely
attractive African Cuckoo-Hawk, Black-
chested and Brown Snake Eagles, Lesser
Southern Ground Hornbill by G. Valentine Spotted, Steppe, Crowned and Booted
Eagles, African Hawk-Eagle, African Harrier
Hawk and Amur Falcon.
This area is also famous for regular sightings of the rare African Wild Dog, while we stand an excellent
chance of finding the endangered White
Rhinoceros and with exceptional luck, its
rarer cousin, the Black Rhinoceros. It is also
arguably the best area in the park to see the
crepuscular Leopard, certainly one of the
world’s best-looking cats! In addition, we
should encounter Lion, Spotted Hyena,
Black-backed Jackal, large herds of African
Elephant lounging in the Sabi River, herds of
African Buffalo, Waterbuck, the beautiful
Bushbuck and pods of Hippopotami. The
persistent troops of playful Chacma Baboon
and Vervet will keep us entertained during
the heat of the day. Scouring the riverine
woodland and thickets along the Sabi River, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls by G. Valentine
we hope to encounter Bennett’s, Golden-
tailed, Bearded and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Ashy Flycatcher, gorgeous White-browed and Red-capped
Robin-Chats, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied and Sombre Greenbuls, African, Jameson’s and Red-
billed Firefinches, superb Green-winged Pytilia, Red-faced Cisticola and Southern Boubou. The large
riparian trees lining the rivers provide perfect nesting sites for weavers, which are extremely well
represented in the park and include Southern and Lesser Masked, Village, Spectacled and Thick-billed.
Furthermore, we will endeavour to see various species of brightly coloured bee-eaters, kingfishers,
rollers and hornbills, along with the occasional Pearl-spotted Owlet, a diurnal owl with a lovely,
characteristic call.
The park’s numerous large rivers and wetlands harbour a number of exciting water-associated birds
and we will be on the lookout for the massive Goliath Heron, stately and severely threatened Saddle-
billed Stork as well as the more common Woolly-necked and Yellow-billed Storks, African Spoonbill, the
unique and monotypic Hamerkop, Wire-tailed and Grey-rumped Swallows, White-crowed Lapwing and
if we are lucky, the rare African Finfoot or unpredictable Greater Painted-snipe.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217Our base here in the southern part of the park is
situated on the banks of the Sabi River, where the
huge Sycamore Fig and Sausage Trees that tower
over the camp attract some brilliant birds. Included
in this suite of species are African Green Pigeon with
its lovely, mournful, liquid call, the tiny Little
Sparrowhawk, African Goshawk, gaudy Purple-
crested Turaco, Red-headed Weaver, Black-headed
Oriole, the showy African Paradise Flycatcher,
Arrow-marked Babbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis,
Green-backed Camaroptera, iridescent Collared,
Marico, White-bellied, Amethyst and Scarlet-
Saddle-billed Storks by C. Burne chested Sunbirds, and the vocal Black-collared and
Crested Barbets.
While in the south of the park there are also opportunities for optional sunset drives (**these would be
offered at an additional charge for those who are interested-see prices below). Success on these sunset
drives here varies greatly, but the list of possibilities is rather impressive and includes a good number
of owls and nightjars, as well as Bronze-winged Courser, both Common and Central African Large-
spotted Genets, Southern Lesser and Thick-tailed Greater Galagos, White-tailed Mongoose, African
Savannah Hare, the incomparable Cape Porcupine, African Wild Cat, African Civet, Serval and Spotted
Hyena – besides the Big 5!
We will certainly spend a day visiting the rich bushveld and grasslands of the park, which are
particularly productive for a number of special species. These include Kori Bustard – the world’s
heaviest flying bird, the magnificent Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Marabou Stork and the impressive
Secretarybird, one of the world’s great avian gems. Further specialties that we will search for in the
woodland areas include the lovely
Orange-breasted and Grey-headed
Bushshrikes, African Grey Hornbill,
Southern White-crowned and Magpie
Shrikes, Red-billed Oxpecker riding on
the backs of big game, Bennett’s
Woodpecker, African Hoopoe, Red-
billed Buffalo Weaver, Burchell’s
Starling, Mourning Collared Dove,
Brown-headed Parrot, Red-crested
Korhaan, Southern Black Tit, miniscule
Grey Penduline Tit, noisy Green Wood
Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Greater
and Lesser Honeyguides, Acacia Pied African Wild Dog Pups by G. de Klerk
Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird,
Sabota Lark, Mosque Swallow, Black Cuckooshrike, Kurrichane and Groundscraper Thrushes, eye-
catching White-throated Robin-Chat, melodic White-browed Scrub Robin, Burnt-necked and Yellow-
bellied Eremomelas, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Black-crowned and Brown-crowned Tchagras, Brubru,
dazzling Violet-backed Starling and Golden-breasted Bunting.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217Noisy flocks of White-crested Helmetshrike are regularly encountered and we will also be on the
lookout for the much rarer Retz’s
Helmetshrike along with its seldom-seen
host, the rare and much sought-after
Thick-billed Cuckoo. In addition, we will
keep a lookout for the amazing selection
of migrant cuckoos that visit the park in
summer and these include African,
Common, Red-chested, Diederik, Klaas’s,
Levaillant’s and Jacobin Cuckoos, as well
as the scarce Great Spotted Cuckoo.
In the expansive grasslands we will seek
Leopard by G.de Klerk
out the bold Black-bellied Bustard,
Crested and the rare Shelley’s and Coqui
Francolins, Swainson’s and Natal Spurfowls, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, European and Purple
Rollers, Yellow-throated Longclaw and with luck, the erratic and nomadic Temminck’s Courser and
Senegal Lapwing. Summer visitors to these grasslands also include the scarce Pallid and Montagu’s
Harriers, while rocky outcrops might yield Mocking Cliff Chat, Red-winged Starling and Cinnamon-
breasted Bunting. In the late afternoon pairs of boldly-patterned and crepuscular Double-banded
Sandgrouse come to the edges of the road to feed, before making their way down to watering holes at
dusk to drink.
The sweet grasses in the Satara area are, of course, also excellent for large herds of grazing mammals
such as Common Wildebeest, Plains
Zebra and Impala. These huge herds in
turn support a healthy population of
predators and Satara is particularly well
known for this. In fact, we have an
excellent chance of finding Lion, Leopard,
Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and the very
scarce and highly threatened African
Wild (Painted) Dog in this area. High
densities of other game include Southern
Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Klipspringer,
Bushbuck, Warthog, Chacma Baboon,
Vervet Monkey and Dwarf Mongoose, to
name just a few.
Secretarybird by G. Valentine
by Glen Valentine
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217An optional night drive
(**additional expense for those who
are interested-see below for prices)
through the park may encounter
some of the rarer nocturnal
mammals such as African Civet,
Common and Central African Large-
spotted Genets, Side-striped Jackal,
the beautiful Serval, White-tailed
Mongoose and Wild Cat, along with
several species of owl and nightjar.
These include Spotted and
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls, African
Scops Owl, Southern White-faced
Black Rhinoceros by G. de Klerk
Owl, and Square-tailed, European
and Fiery-necked Nightjars. Accommodation: Skukuza Rest Camp (en suite rooms) as for last night.
Meals included: B, L, D each day.
Day 6. Thursday 30 September 2021: Kruger National Park to Johannesburg and Departure.
After some early morning’s birding and wildlife viewing, we will leave the splendours of Kruger behind
us and make our way to Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport where this exciting
adventure will end. Accommodation: none. Meals included: B.
Based on a group size of 4-8 participants + Inala leader + local guide.
Tour Price: AUD$4,730 per person twin share. Single supplement AU$485.
**Sunset and night drives within the Kruger can be arranged for an additional $40 per person per drive. Please
let us know if you would be interested in joining one or both of these activities.
Additional accommodation can be booked for you in Johannesburg post tour if required. Please enquire about
additional costs.
Inclusions: Accommodation for each night of the tour, specialist guiding and transport for day excursions as
outlined in the itinerary (bus for Johannesburg -Kruger transfers and open safari vehicles within the park), all
meals (B, L, D) and activities outlined in the itinerary plus National Park entry and conservation fees. Also
includes tips for local guides/drivers.
Exclusions: any international and domestic airfares, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and expenses of a
personal nature (snacks, travel insurance, internet, laundry etc) and night excursions in the park.
Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted us for confirmation on the status of the
tour.
Please note:
• Exiting the vehicle is prohibited in all parks that contain dangerous animals. There are dedicated,
fenced stops within the park where one can walk and use rest rooms.
• The Kruger National Park is classified as a Malaria risk area. We suggest you contact your local
health authorities for the best advice in this regard.
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217Map of route of the tour
Inala Nature Tours
E: inala@inalanaturetours.com.au W: www.inalanaturetours.com.au T: +61 3 62931217You can also read
