Arrival in Cape Town, visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with late afternoon wine tasting.

We begin our tour in Cape Town with an afternoon exploration

of the picturesque Cape Peninsula at one of the local birding hotspots. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens lies on the slopes of Table Mountain and is home to a plethora of endemics restricted to the Macchia-like fynbos vegetation of the southern tip of Africa: Cape Spurfowl scurry across the lawns, the magnificent protea gardens are home to spectacular Cape Sugarbird and

Orange-breasted Sunbird, both of which are South African endemics, whilst Cape Bulbul, Olive Thrush, the attractive Cape Grassbird, Karoo Prinia, Bokmakierie, Southern Boubou and Southern Double-collared Sunbird may

be found in areas of denser cover. We will watch out for African Goshawk and Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, which occasionally display above the indigenous forest that cloaks the slopes above the gardens. These forests are also home to African Olive Pigeon, Lemon Dove, Cape Batis, Sombre Greenbul and Forest and Cape Canaries.

With the splendors of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens fresh in our minds, we shall depart for the spectacular mountains and surrounding valleys covered by a myriad of vineyards which welcome us to the heart of the Cape winelands. It is in this magnificent region that we shall enjoy a sample of the superb wines on offer including the South African signature variety, Pinotage, a wine produced from cross pollinating Pinot Noir and Hermitage grapes. Our wine estate of choice this evening will be Groot Constantia. This estate was founded in 1685 and is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate. Steeped in history we will have some time to explore the gardens a little before enjoying our first tasting on South African soil. We will have the opportunity to taste a wonderful selection of varietals including some of their Chardonnays for which the estate is probably best known for. Over the past 10 years Groot Constantia has collected an incredible total of 66 gold medals, mostly from international wine shows and largely for their Chardonnay’s, although their Shiraz and Pinotage have also collected their fair share of accolades. We will dine tonight at the famous Jonkershuis Restaurant on the property, which serves a lovely selection of food including a number of typically South African dishes.

Cape Point, Strandfontein Water Treatment and late afternoon wine tasting.

We travel to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve this morning. This wonderful park showcases the most southwestern point of the continent and is very popular amongst birders and more general tourists alike. Here we should again find Cape Sugarbird, stunning Orange-breasted Sunbird, and perhaps the

impressive Black Harrier, Grey-winged Francolin, Cape Grassbird and

Cape Siskin. We will explore the network of roads to less visited parts of the reserve, visiting secluded coves and searching for the elusive Cape sub-species of Mountain Zebra and Bontebok subspecies of Blesbok. In addition we could also find Common Eland, the largest antelope in the world. We will spend the rest of the day at the productive Strandfontein water treatment works. Regarded by many as the best locality in Cape Town to connect with waterbirds, this site hosts Maccoa Duck, Black-necked, Little and Great Crested Grebe, Great White Pelican, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, South African Shelduck, Cape, Red-billed and Hottentot Teals, African Oystercatcher, African Marsh-Harrier and large numbers of Palearctic migrants including Ruff, Little Stint, Common Ringed Plover, Wood, Marsh and Common Sandpipers all intermixed with Pied Avocet, Three-banded and Kittlitz’s Plovers while African Swamphen and Black Crake dart through the reeds along the edge of the pans.

ter on in the afternoon we will venture back towards the vineyards below the Silvermine/Table Mountain range for another memorable tasting and evening meal. The estate of choice tonight will be Steenberg Estate and we will once again be able to sample a fine selection of the region’s best wines. Like Cape Point Vineyards this estate is most famous for its award winning Sauvignon Blancs however also produces some excellent Semillon, Merlot and Shiraz while their Nebbiolo, an unusual varietal to be found in South Africa, has picked up a number of accolades as well. Dinner tonight will be enjoyed at another fine restaurant on the property – Katharina’s.

The Cape Peninsula and late afternoon wine tasting.

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. Making our way early to the rugged Hottentots-Holland Mountains, we will search for one of South Africa’s finest endemics: the handsome Cape Rockjumper. Though strikingly plumaged and conspicuous by their vocalizations, these charismatic birds possess an incredible ability to disappear amongst the boulders and we may have to be patient if we wish to enjoy sightings of these elusive creatures. The thick mountain fynbos is the favored habitat of Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Siskin and the beautiful, endemic Victorin’s Warbler, while other species including Verreaux’s Eagle, Grey-backed Cisticola and Ground Woodpecker are also found in the area. Chacma Baboon is fairly common here, but we will have to scan the rocky ridges carefully for the agile Klipspringer.

After a delicious lunch we shall venture to the nearby wine estate of Cape Point Vineyards where we shall supplement the salty ocean scents for the subtle bouquet of further fine wines at an evening wine tasting followed by an

early dinner. Nestled against the Silvermine Mountains with phenomenal views over Noordhoek and Chapman’s Peak this fabulous estate is probably best known for their award winning Sauvignon Blancs. The estate is situated very close to the icy Atlantic Ocean and the cool breezes are perfect for producing

excellent Sauvignon Blancs. This afternoon/evening we will have ample time to

enjoy exceptional views, sunset, wines and good food on this estate.

Cape Town to Ceres via West Coast National Park.

Our first site of interest today is the West Coast National Park. Large numbers of waders spend the northern winter here and we will check the exposed banks of Langebaan Lagoon for Red Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Greater Sand Plover and Eurasian Curlew, as well as Kittlitz’s and the

localised Chestnut-banded Plovers. In addition to the shorebirds, these areas also support large numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingos, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler and other waterfowl. The surrounding short, coastal vegetation (strandveld) is home to the endemic Southern Black Korhaan, Grey-winged Francolin, Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit, Karoo Lark, Capped

Wheatear, Fiscal Flycatcher, Karoo Scrub Robin and the magnificent Black Harrier, surely one of the world’s most attractive raptors! In the late afternoon we will make the drive through to the farming village of Ceres, gateway to the Tanqua Karoo.

Ceres and the Tanqua Karoo

Just a short drive from the village of Ceres is the semi arid, central plateau of South Africa known as the Karoo; a land of endless vistas and spectacular sunsets, renowned for its endemic larks, chats and canaries. We leave the famous fruit growing valley of Ceres before reaching our first stop at Karoopoort, a narrow canyon that forms the gateway to the Succulent Karoo. Birds inhabiting the arid, rocky slopes and acacia filled watercourses of this area include White-backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Mountain Wheatear, Layard’s and Chestnut-vented Warblers, the dainty Fairy Flycatcher and Pririt Batis,

whilst the adjacent reedbeds are home to the endemic Namaqua Warbler. One of the area’s most charismatic birds is the highly localized Cinnamon-breasted Warbler. Though fairly vocal, this species is highly elusive and seeing

it in its habitat of jumbled boulders and rocky scree will require a combination of patience and perseverance. Continuing northwards onto the open flats of

the Karoo, we will watch the roadsides carefully for Karoo and Spike-heeled Larks,Tractrac, Sickle-winged and Karoo Chats, the elusive Karoo Eremomela, Rufous-eared Warbler and Yellow and White-throated Canaries. Pale Chanting Goshawk and Rock Kestrel perch conspicuously on any vantage points and, if we are lucky, we may find Booted Eagle, Greater Kestrel or Lanner Falcon. We

will also stop to listen for the distinctive flight calls of Namaqua Sandgrouse and the strange, croaking of the Karoo Korhaan, which may help us to locate these cryptically colored birds. If very fortunate we may even see the nomadic Ludwig’s Bustard striding through the desolate plains or come across a group of highly nomadic Burchell’s Courser on the barren gravel flats.

Ceres to Cape Town via Stellenbosch/Paarl

This morning we have the opportunity to target one final endemic species, the range restricted Protea Canary. This uncommon and local bird is fairly regularly seen on the high protea clad mountain slopes above Ceres and we will spend time at key positions listening for its distinctive call. The moist gullies here also hold a few other endemics such as the skulking Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Rock Thrush and Bokmakierie. After our morning’s birding we will then depart from Ceres for Stellenbosch. On the

way we will stop at Paarl Mountain where we can do a little more birding if there are still species that we haven’t yet seen. The site can be a decent backup for the tricky Protea Canary while quality species such as Swee Waxbill, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Sugarbird, Malachite and Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Cape Batis, Yellow Bishop and Streaky-headed Seedeater can all regularly be found. Our accommodations tonight will be in the heart of wine country – Stellenbosch. Nearby are some of South Africa’s most prestigious wine estates such as Meerlust and Vergenoegd. Meerlust Rubicon is arguably South Africa’s most well respected wine estate and for years has provided a bench mark for others trying to produce a first class Bordeaux blend. The estate was founded back in 1756 and has been in the Myburgh family for 8 generations. Being only a few kilometres away from our accommodations we can enjoy tasting the Meerlust range of wines that include a fine Pinot Noir, Merlot, oaked Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and their flagship Rubicon (certainly one of South Africa’s most iconic wines). Vergenoegd just happens to be the next door estate and is also famous for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Bordeaux Blend. Their wines have always been done in a style of longevity and in general keeping a

Vergenoegd for 30 plus years is common place! If time allows we will also enjoy a few wines from this prestigious estate before returning to our lodge for a delicious final dinner in the heart of the Cape Vineyards.

Cape Town flight to Durban to Manyoni Private Game Reserve

After an early breakfast we shall depart for an onward flight from Cape Town International Airport to the tropical climate of Durban in KwaZuluNatal Province. From here we will strike out north into the heart of Zululand. Our base for

the next 5 nights will be the beautifully appointed Zebra Hills Safari Lodge situated inside the 56,000 acre Manyoni Private Game Reserve.

After checking in to our private and very comfortable lodge overlooking a busy

waterhole, we will take our first game and birding drive in an open safari vehicle,

returning in the dark whilst spotlighting. Each evening we will relax under the stars around an open fire enjoying a refreshing beverage and listening to the sounds of the African night and watching for animals that might come down to drink at the lodge waterhole. In the past we have had Lion, Cheetah, both species of Rhinoceros, Giraffe, African Buffalo and numerous species of antelope quenching their thirst here.

Day trip to Mkuze Game Reserve

Nearby Mkuze Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most well known birding hotspots. This reserve offers additional chances for almost all the bird and

wildlife species that occur in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve but today we will focus on waterbird and sandforest specials that are more difficult or irregular in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Mkuze has much larger stands of Tongaland Sandforest and here we will seek out any of this microhabitat’s special birds that we may not have encountered yet such as Neergaard’s Sunbird and

African Broadbill. The expansive Nsumo Pan hosts a mouth watering selection of waterbirds and large pods of Hippopotamus and massive Nile Crocodiles. Here we will look for flocks of Whitefaced Whistling Duck, Spurwinged Goose, Red billed and Hottentot Teals, Yellow billed, Saddlebilled and Marabou Storks, African Openbill, Glossy Ibis, African Spoonbill, the enormous Goliath (largest heron in the world), Purple, Squacco and Black Herons, Great, Little and Intermediate Egrets, Great White and Pink backed Pelicans, African Darter, African Swamphen, Black winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, African Jacana, the elusive Greater Painted Snipe, Collared Pratincole, White-winged and Whiskered Terns, Malachite, Giant and Pied Kingfishers and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. Other species for which we stand a better chance in Mkuze include Southern Banded Snake Eagle, African CuckooHawk, African Marsh Harrier, Pel’s Fishing

Owl if we are very lucky, Green Malkoha, Yellow rumped Tinkerbird and Black throated Wattle eye. After a full day of birding we will return to Zebra Hills.

Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Over the course of the next 3 full days we will explore the wonders of this incredibly scenic African wilderness. Home to an impressive variety of big game including the much talked about ‘Big 5’, our time in this reserve is sure to be thrilling and memorable. Landscapes in the reserve range from rolling hills of open acacia savannah, lush riverbeds lined with giant Sycamore figs and bright Fever Tree forests, dense thickets favored by the elusive and rare Black Rhinoceros, towering cliffs and scattered waterholes often thronged with thirsty

animals. Regularly encountered mammals include the ubiquitous Impala and Warthog, splendid Nyala (a stunning richly colored and boldly marked

antelope that has a rather limited distribution),Greater Kudu (males with impressive spiraled horns), Waterbuck, both Southern and Mountain Reedbucks, the diminutive Natal Red Duiker and its more nocturnal cousin the Grey

Duiker, Steenbok which favour the driest zones and Bushbuck which stick to the denser vegetation around the riverbeds, herds of ungainly Common Wildebeest and Plains Zebra usually travel together, dispersed herds of enormous Giraffe and noisy troops of Chacma Baboon and Vervet. A few of the larger waterholes support family groups of raucous Hippopotamus and two other sought after

target species are the elegant Cheetah which occur in healthy numbers and a pack of endangered African Wild Dogs that call this reserve home. The “Big 5” is always high on every visitor’s want list and the Manyoni Private Game Reserve is particularly proud of the conservation work that it does in protecting good numbers of both Black and White Rhinoceroses despite the current scourge of

illegal poaching. Family groups of White Rhinoceros are regularly encountered but the shyer and less numerous Black Rhinoceros are more difficult to find. Herds of African Buffalo can number in their hundreds and both lone bulls and matriarchal herds of African Elephant roam the reserve. Lions occur in good numbers, especially around this southern section of the reserve and are regularly encountered around Zebra Hills lodge itself where our guests are often awakened at dawn by the reverberating roar of Lions. Finally the Leopard, which is the most elusive of the Big 5, occurs in healthy numbers but finding this stealthy spotted cat always requires a hefty dose of good luck. We will also take time out to do a few night drives and besides the mammals mentioned above, we stand chances of finding a variety of nocturnal specialists such as Spotted Hyena, Cape Porcupine, Black backed Jackal, White tailed Mongoose, Common Genet, African Savanna Hare and Thicktailed Greater Galago (Thick tailed Bushbaby). If we are very lucky we might come across the bizarre Aardvark, Caracal, Serval, Bushpig or Brown Hyena. The reserve bird list boasts over 400 species and we are sure to encounter a mouth watering selection of quality species during our time here. Topping the list are the classic sand forest

specialities that include the highly localized trio of Pink throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s Sunbird and Rudd’s Apalis, eye catching Gorgeous Bushshrike, Eastern Nicator and Bearded Scrub-Robin. Early morning drives often turn up Crested Francolin and Natal Spurfowl scuttling off the roads as well as flocks of the bizarre Crested Guineafowl. We will spend quality time along the reserve’s

riverine woodlands searching for numerous frugivorous species that flock here to feed on the abundance of fruiting figs. These include cryptic African Green Pigeons, the brilliant Purplecrested Turaco, White eared and Black collared

Barbets and their smaller cousin the Red fronted Tinkerbird, noisy Trumpeter and Crowned Hornbills, Black headed and the migrant Eurasian Golden Orioles, and busy flocks of Black bellied and Violet backed Starlings. Other species that also prefer these moister forests include Scald throated and Lesser Honeyguides, Burchell’s Coucal, the soughtafter Narina Trogon, raucous Broad billed

Roller, Brown hooded, Woodland and the gorgeous African Pygmy Kingfishers and the most southern breeding population of Grey headed Kingfisher, cackling family groups of Green Wood Hoopoe, the enormous Southern Ground Hornbill, Black backed Puffback, Southern Boubou, Square tailed Drongo, Blue mantled Crested and African Paradise Flycatchers, Yellow bellied and Sombre Greenbuls, Terrestrial Brownbul, Black Saw wing, Red faced Cisticola, Yellow breasted Apalis, White browed and Red capped Robin Chats (both accomplished songsters), Collared, Grey and Purple banded Sunbirds and both Spectacled and Dark backed Weavers. Waterbirds include pairs of Egyptian Goose that dominate most waterholes, noisy Hadeda Ibis and unique Hamerkop, Woolly-necked Stork, the secretive Striated Heron and more conspicuous Grey

Heron, migrant Common and Wood Sandpipers, Three banded Plover, African Wattled Lapwing, family groups of Water Thick knee and Black Crake. Thirsty Red eyed, Ring necked, Laughing and Emerald spotted Wood Doves are regular waterhole visitors and noisy Village, Lesser Masked and Southern Masked Weavers nest in vegetation hanging over the waterholes. The reserve’s more open grasslands are home to a healthy population of the world’s largest bird, the Common Ostrich, as well as a good number of Black bellied Bustard. Other species we will seek in this habitat include Common Buttonquail, Crowned and Senegal Lapwings, Temminck’s Courser, Shelley’s Francolin, Black Coucal (in longer, moister grasslands), Little and European Bee-eaters, Rufous-naped

and Flappet Larks, Barn, Lesser Striped and Red breasted Swallows, Croaking Cisticola, Neddicky, Red-billed Quelea which sometimes flock and breed in the reserve in the millions, White winged Widowbird, Yellow throated

Longclaw and African Pipit. The acacia savannahs or bushveld habitat have

their own subset of species which prefer this slightly drier habitat and these include Grey Go away bird, Red faced and Speckled Mousebirds, the multi colored Lilac breasted Roller, African Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Southern Yellow billed and Red billed Hornbills, Acacia Pied and Crested Barbets, Greater Honeyguide, Brown backed Honeybird, Striped Kingfisher, Golden tailed, Cardinal and Bearded Woodpeckers, Chinspot Batis, flocks of Whitecrested

Helmetshrikes, Grey headed and Orange breasted Bushshrikes, Brown crowned and Black crowned Tchagras, Brubru, Black Cuckooshrike, migrant Red backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, the miniscule Grey Penduline Tit, Sabota and

the rare Dusky Larks, Long billed Crombec, migrant Icterine

and Willow Warblers, ubiquitous Rattling Cisticola, the scarce Stierling’s Wren warbler, Yellow bellied and Burntnecked Eremomelas, noisy flocks of Arrow marked Babbler, abundant Cape Starling, Red-billed Oxpecker which frequent

the larger mammalian fauna, Groundscraper and the nearendemic

Kurrichane Thrushes, the handsome White throated Robin Chat (another near endemic), White browed ScrubRobin, Pale and Grey Tit Flycatchers, Scarlet chested and White bellied Sunbirds, Yellow throated Petronia, the little

known Bushveld Pipit, Yellow fronted Canary and last but

not least, Golden breasted Bunting. Raptors are prevalent in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve and we will keep a look out for a variety of eagles including the massive Martial (Africa’s largest) and powerful Crowned Eagle (Africa’s monkey eating version of Harpy which nest in good numbers in the reserve and are virtually guaranteed to be encountered), as well as breeding pairs of migrant

Wahlberg’s, Tawny, the scarcer African Hawk Eagles and non breeding migrants which include Lesser Spotted, Booted and more rarely Steppe Eagles. Brown Snake Eagle is the most commonly encountered snake eagle but Black chested also occurs and the aberrant Bateleur, one of Africa’s classiest raptors is regularly seen rocking over the savannas on its broad wings. Small numbers of

Secretary bird stride across the more open grasslands in search of snakes and other prey and other regularly encountered raptors include Black winged and Yellow billed Kites, African Harrier Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar and African Goshawks, Black and Little Sparrowhawks, migrant Common Buzzard and Lanner Falcon. Vultures are also prevalent and play an important role in cleaning up the reserve. White backed is the default species but smaller numbers of massive Lappet faced, Whiteheaded, Hooded and rarely Palm nut Vultures occur. During the southern summer, numerous cuckoo species are vocal through the reserve and we will keep an eye and ear out for Levaillant’s, Jacobin, Red chested, Black, African, Common, Klaas’s, Diederik and the stunning African Emerald. Colorful seedeaters are also a feature of the area and species we will seek include Green winged Pytilia, Red billed, African and Jameson’s Firefinches, Blue, Common and Grey Waxbills, Quailfinch and the incredible Pink throated Twinspot. Village, Purple and Dusky Indigobirds and Pin tailed and Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs attain their breeding plumage late in the summer and are nest parasites on the aforementioned seedeaters. Nocturnal excursions may reveal the uncommon Bronze winged Courser, Spotted Eagle, Barn, African Wood, African Scops, Verreaux’s Eagle- and Southern White faced Owls and Fiery necked and Squaretailed Nightjars.

The Mkuze Falls Lodge is located along the northern bank of the Mkuze River, in the heart of KwaZulu Natal. Overlooking the Mkuze Waterfall, the lodge features nine luxuriously appointed Thatched Chalets and one Safari Suite, accommodating eighteen guests in utmost comfort and style. All these rooms have a breathtaking view of the river, bush and mountains. Private plunge pools and an outside shower provide a wild but intimate touch alongside the gratifying luxury of the air conditioned bedroom.

The peace, scenery and style of the lodge allows for a calm atmosphere amidst the elegant decor. Relax in the spacious lounge, view animals from the wooden deck, sip cocktails in the swimming pool or recount your sightings of the day in the bar! Taste South African food with a sophisticated flair under a star strewn sky or in the boma to the sounds of tribal dance and song.

MKUZE FALLS GAME DRIVES & WALKS

Guests are invited to join the open vehicle safaris with experienced field guides and rangers who also conduct bird, bush and game walks on request. Enjoy two game drives daily in this Private Big Five Reserve, one in the early morning where our visitors will meet for coffee and tea before going out on an adventure, returning for a scrumptious breakfast. In the afternoon high tea is served in the lounge area, which boasts an array of delightful and delectable treats, after which you are invited to join the afternoon drive. This is an exciting time as the sun slowly slips away and you may be lucky to see some of the night creatures as they start to make an appearance.

Your guide will find an ideal spot to enjoy a sundowner which is traditionally an African safari experience to listen to the sounds as night approaches and watch a beautiful sun down as the day ends. The game vehicles are comfortable and are at a height which presents good game viewing and ample opportunities for photography.

Game and bird walks are conducted professionally and safely bringing the bush alive in a close encounter with the knowledge of the guide. The unique ecosystems of riverine, wetland, lowveld bushveld and montane grassland provide the diversity and large quantity of bird and animal species, big and small.

Amazula Private Game Reserve to King Shaka International Airport and depart.

This morning we shall embark on a final drive through this unspoilt reserve before we depart for King Shaka International Airport where the tour shall conclude.