Links - Ferdie Muller

Build on vision, driven by passion and having faith in God

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www.ferdiemuller.com

www.inkwazi.com

www.bushknowledge.com

www.ianblakeway.com

www.africanbushsafari.com

www.wedding-sa.com

www.scorpions.co.za

www.trailsranger.com - Informative site focused on the improvement of guides across Africa

www.africanconservation.org - Conservation site with up to date information that may be of interest

www.cites.org - Protective status and Classification

www.unisa.ac.za - University of South Africa

www.kznwildlife.com - Ezemvelo Kwazulul Natal Wildlife Dept.

www.theta.org.za - Training Standards Organisation

www.gameranger.org - Game Rangers Association of South Africa

www.environment.gov.za Ministry of Enviroment and Tourism South Africa

www.trackers.co.za - The website of Dave Rushworth at Trackers Camp Hoedspruit

www.eagleswing.co.za - The Website of Cleve Cheney, Field Guide Trainer and Author

top sites

Birding Hotspots

Birding hotspots abound throughout South Africa and birders are referred to Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa edited by Hugh Chittenden and published by Southern Book Publishers, Johannesburg in 1992 as well as Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa by Aldo Berruti and Ian Sinclair published by C Struik, Cape Town in 1983. The hotspots listed below are merely representative of those in each Birding Region.</

Pelagics

Pelagic trips are run out of various harbours in South Africa but,generally, Cape Town offers, by far, the best sea birding in South AfricaIn fact, is considered to be some of the best anywhere in the world. Thecold Benguela Current brings highly nutrient-rich waters up from thesouth, and the strong winds (predominately from the south-east) createan up welling that brings all the nutrients to the surface. This, inturn, sustains the phytoplankton that forms the basis of the marine foodchain. Pelagic fisheries thrive in the area, and discards from thetrawlers provide a constant food source for pelagic birds. There are around 85 species that have been recorded on South African pelagic trips including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, skuas and a whole host of other exciting birds. Day trips can produce in excess of 30 species with, particularly winter trips, providing the spectacle of some 30,000 individual birds. Added to this, there are a number of whale and dolphin species that are encountered as well as some other interesting marine wildlife.

Pelagic trips are spectacular to say the least and will provide one withmany cherished memories. If you are in South Africa, it should become apriority on your birding itinerary and should not be missed. For moreinformation on the seasonality of the various species, photographs and other general information regarding pelagic trips in South Africa, visit www.zestforbirds.co.za. Regular trips are offered out of Cape Town and Durban and occasionally trips are organised from Port Elizabeth. Interested birders should contact Trevor Hardaker hardaker@mweb.co.za or Anne Gray gray-ad@mweb.co.za for Cape Town trips and Athol Marchant athol@kznncs.org.za from Durban.</

The Afromontane Forests - Approx. 1,000 km²

South African Afromontane forests are highly fragmented and scattered along the southern and eastern slopes of the Great Escarpment. With the exception of the fairly extensive forests around the coastal towns of George and Knysna and to the south of Port Elizabeth all are located more than 40 km inland. The southern forests are best accessed from Cape Town, Durban, George or Port Elizabeth. Johannesburg is the closest airport to the northern forests of Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. As is typical of mountainous areas everywhere the weather is rarely predictable except that it will be cold in winter. Summers are generally mild and evenings can be cool. Rain and mist can be expected throughout the year.

Some 120 species occur regularly in the Afromontane Forests. Nine of South Africa`s endemic species (two are endemic to the forests) and a further 15 species (eight of them are nearly endemic to these forests) endemic to southern Africa are found here. Birding hotspots include Grootvadersbos and the George-Knysna area in the Western Cape Province, Hogsback and Weza-Ingele forests in the Eastern Cape, Xumeni and Ntumeni in KwaZulu-Natal, the Barberton-Graskop-Blyde River Canyon area in Mpumalanga and Woodbush in the Northern Province.</

The Bushveld - Area 385,799 km²

The Bushveld can basically be divided into two areas - the arid Bushveld of the Kalahari in the west and the moist (actually simply less arid) Bushveld in the east. It shares the Kalahari basin with the Karoo in the west and the north, but also extends into the lower lying area between the Great Escarpment and the East Coast Littoral in the east. The arid west is best accessed from Kimberley and Upington while the east and north is best accessed from Johannesburg. South Africa`s largest conservation areas - The Kruger and Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Parks and Pilanesberg and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserves are situated in the Bushveld and most of the country`s remaining large mammal population is found here. For the most part summers are warm to hot and winters mild to cool. What rainfall there is falls during summer. Malaria can be a problem throughout the year in the moister east, but particularly in summer and prophylaxis and other precautions are recommended when visiting these areas.

Almost 550 species of birds occur regularly in the Bushveld. None of these are endemic to the South African Bushveld, but no fewer than 86 of the species endemic or nearly endemic to southern Africa as a whole can be found here. Birding hotspots are many in such a diverse area, but some of the best known ones include the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in the Northern Cape and Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and Northern Province. Other less well-known spots include Nylsvley and Langjan Nature Reserves in Northern Province, the area north of Pretoria in Gauteng Province, the Kimberley area and Witsand Nature Reserve in the Northern Cape and Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga.</

The East Coast Littoral

This area is made up of a mosaic of sub-tropical to tropical grassland, woodland and forest and not surprisingly has a high diversity of species. As the name implies it is a narrow strip stretching up the east coast of South Africa from north of Port Elizabeth to the South African-Mozambique border. The area is best accessed from Durban or Port Elizabeth. The climate is generally humid with hot, wet summers and warm winters. Malaria can be a problem in the areas north of the towns of Eshowe and Mtunzini and prophylaxis and other precautions are recommended when visiting these areas.

Nearly 430 regularly occurring species can be found in this narrow coastal strip. While no species are endemic to the South African portion itself, five species - Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergard`s Sunbird, Rudd`s Apalis, Lemon-breasted Canary and Woodwards Batis all have a very localised distribution in northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique, occurring only marginally outside this area. Overall 38 species found here are endemic or nearly so to southern Africa. It is difficult to single out any particular birding hotspots - virtually the entire area is a hotspot. Mkuzi and Ndumo Game Reserves, the Greater St Lucia Wetland area (a World Heritage site); Mtunzini village, Ongoye, Ntumeni and Dhlinza Forests near Eshowe and Oribi Gorge near Port Shepstone are but a few that spring to mind.</

The Fynbos - Area 59,282 km²

The Fynbos occurs on the coastal plain and southern mountain slopes in the southernmost part of the African continent. It stretches from north of St Helena Bay in the west to around Port Elizabeth in the east. The vegetation comprises mostly a macchia type of scrub and it is renowned for its botanical variety. It is best accessed from Cape Town, George or Port Elizabeth. Typically the climate consists of mild to warm, dry summers (wetter in the east) and cool, wet winters.

Some 270 species of birds occur regularly in the Fynbos. Eighteen of South Africa`s endemic birds (seven of them endemic to the Fynbos) and a further 54 southern African endemics or near endemics can be found here. While none are of the Fynbos endemics are considered to be Globally Threatened by the IUCN, three - Cape Rockjumper, Cape Siskin and Protea Canary - are listed as Near Threatened. Birding hotspots include the Cape Peninsula, the West Coast National Park, the Berg River Estuary and De Hoop Provincial Nature Reserve.</

The Grassveld - Area 280,047 km²

South Africa`s Grassveld is concentrated in the high lying interior plateau and is best accessed from Johannesburg or Durban. East London, Bloemfontein and Kimberley are other possibilities, particularly for the more arid western areas. The climate is typically mild to warm, wet summers and cold, frosty, dry winters with snow sometimes in the higher lying areas.

More than 400 species occur regularly in the Grassveld. Twenty-one, or more than half, of South Africa`s endemic birds (12 of these are endemic to the Grassveld) and a further 64 southern African endemics or near endemics can be found in here. In common with grasslands throughout the world South Africa`s grasslands are under huge pressure from human development programmes. As much as 80% of South Africa`s grasslands have been put to the plough, planted to alien trees, covered by urban sprawl or swallowed up by huge open-cast pits. These threats are reflected in its bird life. Of the 12 Grassveld endemics 4 (Rudd`s Lark, the county`s only Critically Threatened species, Botha`s Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit and Southern Bald Ibis) are listed as globally threatened and 5 (Blue Korhaan, Buff-streaked Chat, Orange-breasted Rockjumper, Mountain Pipit and Drakensberg Siskin) as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Birding hotspots in the Grassveld include Wakkerstroom and Sani Pass (between South Africa and Lesotho) in the moist eastern area and Barberspan and the Bloemhof area in the arid west.</

The Karoo - Area 369,946 km²

The Karoo stretches eastward from South Africa`s west coast, north of St Helena Bay across the southern portion of the Kalahari basin. The most arid parts are found in the north-west along the Namibian border, gradually becoming less arid to the east and south. It is best accessed from Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley or Upington. Generally summers are hot and dry with winters being cold and dry. What rain there is generally falls in spring and autumn and this is the best time for birding in this fascinating part of the country.

More than 300 species occur regularly in the Karoo. Eleven of South Africa`s endemic birds (two of them endemic to the Karoo) and a further 83 southern African endemics or near endemics can be found here. Of the two Karoo endemics one - Red Lark - is listed as Vulnerable on a global scale by the IUCN. Birding hotspots include the West Coast, Bushmanland, Namaqualand, the Karoo National Park and Karoopoort near the towns of Ceres and Worcester in the Western Cape.</

contributor

Trevor Hardaker
Zest for Birds (Supplied Pelagics Info)
(Cape Town)
trevor@zestforbirds.co.za
http://www.zestforbirds.co.za</

John McAllister
Beautiful Just Birding
(Wakkerstroom, South Africa)
mcallister@vlr.dorea.co.za</

numbers

Number of bird species: 860

numbers

Number of endemics: 23
Whilst there are only 23 endemics recognised by all a number of splits are pending and there are many near endemics which are found in S Africa and small areas of adjoining countries - there are around 110 so-called southern African endemics

useful reading

Birds of Africa

A Complete Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds South of the Sahara Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan 780 pages, 340 col plates, col illus. C Struik 2003
ISBN: 1868728579
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa

Kenneth Newman Paperback - 510 pages ( 1 January, 1999) Southern Book Publishers
ISBN: 1868127575
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Photographic Guide to Birds of Prey of Southern, Central and East Africa

David Allan, Peter Hayman (Illustrator) Paperback - 144 pages ( 1 November, 1996) New Holland Publishers (UK)
ISBN: 1853689033
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Pocket-Guide to Southern African Birds

by Burger Cillie 156 pages, col photos, distrib maps. Ad. Donker / Jonathan Ball
ISBN: 171800
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (3rd Edition)

Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey & Warwick Tarboton published by Struik (a division of New Holland)
See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 1868727211
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Southern African Birdfinder

Where to find 1400 bird species in southern Africa and Madagascar Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Jonathan Rossouw 456 pages, 80 col photos, 100 maps, pull-out route map. New Holland Publishers 2006
ISBN: 1868727254
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

The Bradt Travel Guide: Southern African Wildlife

A Visitors Guide Mike Unwin Series: BRADT TRAVEL GUIDES 284 pages, col photos, maps. Bradt Travel Guides

See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 1841620602
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

The ESKOM Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland

Edited by Keith N Barnes 169 pages, maps. BirdLife South Africa
ISBN: 0620254998
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

The Important Bird Areas of Southern Africa

Edited by Keith Barnes. 1998. (BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg)
ISBN: 0620234237
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

Watching Birds in Southern Africa

Kenneth Newman, Derek Soloman Paperback - 96 pages (1999) Southern Book Publishers
ISBN: 86424W 86426W
Buy this book from NHBS.com</

useful information

Proact

Coordinator: Hannes Cloete
Members: 16
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
Contact your coordinator via mailto:info@proact-campaigns.net </

clubs

African Bird Club

http://www.africanbirdclub.org/countries/SouthAfrica/introduction.html
The Republic of South Africa, a large country boasting extraordinary natural history, is probably better known for apartheid, a fading legacy in a new democratic society. A popular destination for the birder interested in Africa's southern latitudes, South Africa's varied climate and topography has produced a variety of habitats that supports an astounding array of some 700 species, a large number of which are endemic or near-endemic. Ornithologically the country is well researched, which is evident from the excellent field and site finding guides available to birders. Coupled with a well developed infrastructure and a stable economy, South Africa must rank as one of Africa's prime birding destinations...

BirdLife

http://www.birdlife.org.za/
P0 Box 515, Randburg, Johannesburg 2125. +27 11 7891122 info@birdlife.org.za
BirdLife.org.za is the official web portal of BirdLife South Africa, which represents close on 8000 birders in the subregion. The site provides news, events, rarity reports, competitions, bird ID quiz and opinion polls.

Also operate websites about selected birding groups... see: http://www.birdingroutes.co.za

South African Rarities Committee

No current listing for a website...

museums

Avian Demography Unit (University of Cape Town)

http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/stats/adu/index.htm
Building on the nucleus of the South African Bird Ringing Unit (SAFRING) and the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP); the Avian Demography Unit (ADU) was established in the Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, in December 1991. The ADU, always closely associated with BirdLife South Africa (formerly the Southern African Ornithological Society); entered into a formal partnership relationship with that organization during 1993 to foster the development of further ornithological projects. This close association is appropriate because the research of the ADU continues to focus on large-scale demographic studies in which participation by amateurs is a vital element.

Ornithology Department - National Museum

http://www.nasmus.co.za/ornithol/orn1.htm
National Museum, PO Box 266, Bloemfontein, 9300 SOUTH AFRICA
tel. +27 (0)51 4479609 ;
fax +27 (0)51 4476273
e-mail ornito@nasmus.co.za
National Museum: http://www.nasmus.co.za

Transvaal Museum

Bird Department's Information Cache - Would you like to ask one of us a bird question? Alan Kemp - specializes in hornbills and raptors but has a wide knowledge and much experience on all birdy topics; Tamar Cassidy - an expert in bird specimen collections and has good knowledge on the finer identification points of difficult birds; Richard Satekge - bird skin preperation.

University of Cape Town Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology

http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/fitzpatrick/
Welcome to The Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology on line! This web site provides an overview of what the Institute is about, study opportunities, including the Institute`s Conservation Biology Masters Programme, and current research themes and projects. You can also familiarise yourself with the staff and students of the Institute, and visit our hot links page for some useful and interesting websites.

reserves

Diamond Birding Route

http://www.diamondbirdingroute.co.za/
The Diamond Birding Route is a partnership project between two Diamond companies and BirdLife South Africa and its mission is to maximise the potential of the rich and diverse natural resources of the Oppenheimer and De Beers properties to advance bird conservation, enhance environmental awareness and contribute to social development...

Gough Island Wildlife Reserve

http://whc.unesco.org/sites/740.htm
The spectacular cliffs, towering above the ocean, are home to one of the world`s largest colonies of sea birds...

Kalahari Raptor Center

http://www.raptor.co.za/
Situated on a 600 hectare private game reserve, the KRC`s function is to care for injured and orphaned birds of prey and small mammals. Birds which cannot be released are cared for in spacious aviaries which are built over the canopy of the camelthorn trees so that the resident eagles can sit in the tree-tops and look out to the Kuruman hills across the Kalahari plains. Residents include Martial, Black, Snake and Tawny eagles, Spotted and Giant Eagle Owls, and an ever-growing number of smaller birds of prey, such as falcons, buzzards and goshawks. The vultures have their own open camp which doubles as a restaurant for wild vultures who drop in from the heavens to share carcases with the disabled residents. Vultures for release are able to leave naturally with the wild visitors.

South African National Parks

http://www.sanparks.org
The vision of the South African National Parks is that national parks will be the pride and joy of all South Africans. The mission of the South African National Parks is to acquire and manage a system of national parks that represent the indigenous wildlife, vegetation, landscapes and significant cultural assets of South Africa for the pride and benefit of the nation.

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!

2001 [August] - Wim Veraghtert

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/s_africa/tour2/reportjuly2001.htm
Between July 2nd and August 3rd, we made a birding trip to South Africa, covering nearly the whole country. Participants on this four week trip were Jeroen Huyghe, Tom Goossens and Wim Veraghtert. The main aim of the tour was to see as many species as possible, focusing on the endemic species. Of course, much attention was paid to mammals as well...

2003 [December] - James Eaton - The Cape to Mkuzi

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/s_africa/tour9/sa-dec-03.htm
We recorded around 440 species, of which a high majority were new to me, having not previously birded in Africa...

2003 [March] - Grand Tour - Southern Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho Mozambique Swaziland - Jos Stratford

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/s_africa/Jos-trip/intro.htm
This report is based on the findings of two complementary trips to Southern Africa – a ten-week trip to the west of the sub-continent (Namibia and the Cape Province of South Africa) and a fifteen-week trip to the eastern half of the region (Botswana, the east of South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique). The basic aim of the first trip was to cover Namibia in depth, attempting to pick up all the endemics and specialities, while also visiting most of the prime sites in the Western Cape, thereby also seeing the majority of the Cape`s special birds. The second trip had a rather different agenda – in addition to covering the eastern half of the sub-continent and thereby neatly supplementing the species seen in the west, it was also planned around a month of organised survey work in Botswana, covering both wetlands in the Okavango Delta and the south-east of the country...

2003 [October] Keith Barnes - Estern South Africa

http://www.tropicalbirding.com/tripReports/TR_ESAMartin.html
This trip was designed as a three-week intensive trip to eastern South Africa looking for not only all the eastern endemics, but also a host of Red Data Book (threatened); rare and reclusive birds found in eastern South Africa...

2004 [October] - Birdseekers

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/birdseekers/feb05/South%20Africa/South-Africa-2004.htm
...The ducks included Cape Teal , Yellow-billed Ducks, Red-billed Teal, Cape Shoveler, Southern Pochard and Macoa Duck...

2005 [November] - Chris Wormwell

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/wormwell/Articles.htm
With easy access to pelagic birding off Cape Town, my passion for seabirds could be satiated and the large number of endemic land birds in the area made the Cape a must-visit. The next decision to be made was, should we just do the Cape area in our, albeit limiting, two weeks or perhaps include an area with different birdlife and animals? As Keren isn’t as keen on the birds as me, it was only fair that we included a visit to somewhere that would give us the drama of ‘big game’. Again the decision was a doddle. It had to be the Kruger National Park (KNP), arguably the best game park on the planet...

2006 [December] - Athol Marchant

http://www.rockjumper.co.za/default.asp?id=1281
The night drive was incredible, starting off with a pack of African Wild Dogs, which after padding past within meters of us, suddenly raced off and caught and killed a young Impala. While four dogs feasted on this morsel, the rest of the pack continued after the Impala herd and disappeared into the thick bush. Next we had an impressive African Hawk-Eagle perched near the road, and a Dwarf Mongoose sitting on a termitarium. After dark we cleaned up on Freckled Nightjar (calling, and on the road), Spotted Eagle-Owl, Small Spotted (Common) Genet and White Rhinoceros...

2006 [November] - John van der Woude

http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~trogon/ZA2006/Text.html
Site guide etc...

2006 [November] - Kruger & Drakensberg

http://www.naturalist.co.uk/reports2006/safrica.php
...Unfortunately, there was no sign of the African Scops Owl despite searching possible roosting trees. After lunch, an hour's walk around camp produced further good views of Crested Barbet, African Black Flycatcher, Southern Black Tit, Violet-backed Starling, Diederik Cuckoo and Bennett's Woodpecker. At least one African Black Swift was amongst the large numbers of Little Swifts chittering overhead. The Sunset Drive (5pm - 8pm) produced good views of the 'usual' mammals, plus several pairs of Crowned Lapwings...

2006 [October] - Bo Beolens

http://www.anytimetours.co.uk/SA32006.html
...the lanes around the village specifically to a spot where there are Broad-tailed Warbler which he taped out into the open for most of us to see; oddly Cape Grassbird also responded to the tape. In the area raptor sightings were confined to Yellow-billed and Black-shouldered Kites, Jackal Buzzard but we also saw our first Long-crested Eagles sitting on a telegraph pole close enough for photo silhouettes against the sky. In the fields there were also Fan-tailed, Red-collared and Long-tailed Widows, Cape Canary, White-throated Swallow, White-breasted Cormorant, Grey-crowned Crane and African Wattled Lapwing. He took us to a farm where he has regularly seen Black-bellied Korhaan and we got great views. Whilst looking for the Korhaan we also had a distant view of a magnificent Lanner Falcon...

2007 [February] - Josh Engel & Keith Barnes - Comprehensive South Africa

http://www.tropicalbirding.com/tripReports/TR_SAfricacustom_Feb07/trip_report.htm
...We left Cape Town and headed north along the coast. The day provided a great introduction into South African birding. We found two species of mousebirds, an African endemic family, a group of eight Cape Sugarbirds, a southern Africa endemic family, and a wide variety of typically African bird families, represented by the likes of South Black Korhaan, Cape Francolin, Yellow and Southern Red Bishops, fabulous male Pin-tailed Whydahs, and several larks and cisticolas. Black Harrier and Chestnut-banded Plover were real treats, and the 25,000 strong Cape Gannet colony at Lambert's Bay followed by a dinner of local lobster was the perfect way to end the day...

2008 [February] - Markus Lilje

http://www.rockjumper.co.za/upload/files/TRSouthAfricaFeb2008ML.pdf
A pan on the outskirts of Johannesburg was a great place to start and we were able to rack up some tricky species like White-backed and Maccoa Duck along with many more widespread water- and grassland birds. Long-tailed Widowbird, Yellow-crowned Bishop and Amur Falcon kept us entertained as we drove north and into drier woodland to the north...

See the individual SA State Pages for more trip reports...

tour operators

African Adrenalin

http://www.africanadrenalin.co.za/index.htm
A tour company (the site is not that good and not easy to navigate unless you already know exactly what you want to do) specialising in Southern African trips. They do do some specialised wildlife trips including one pelagic.

Avian Leisure Tours

http://www.avianleisure.com
Essentially our business is organising birding and wildlife tours throughout South Africa - tailored to individual interests and requirements: both fully guided and self drive trips or a combination of self drive & guides in certain places. Patrick has an in depth knowledge of the country and puts together itineraries that are optimised for an individual client's requirements - minimising distances required to travel in one day and using accommodation in or near to the best birding localities. We do not run set departure tours (unless on behalf of another tour operator). Our focus is on small groups (between 2 and 6 ideally). We also run a self catering birder friendly guest house in Cape Town which is a convenient place for birders to stay whilst in the Cape, but this does not necessarily have to be part of the birders itinerary...

Birding Africa

http://www.birding-africa.com
Birding Africa is run by three Capetonian birders and naturalists, Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Peter Ryan, all based at the University of Cape Town`s Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. Callan and Claire are postgraduate research students, and have recently published an new birding site guide to Cape Town and beyond: Essential Birding - Western South Africa. Peter is a lecturer and researcher, and the author of numerous publications, most recently a new field guide to the birds of Afrotropics.

Birding Ecotours

http://www.birdingecotours.co.za
Birding Ecotours, a South African company, aims to provide world-wide birding experiences of superb quality, while contributing to environmental conservation and disadvantaged communities. Please contact us for detailed information, queries and quotations. We are affiliated to Cape Town (South Africa) based pelagic trips and we are happy to help you in every aspect of planning your birding holiday.

Birding Pal

http://www.birdingpal.org/Southafrica.htm
Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

Birding Voyages

http://www.rms-st-helena.com
Upon departure from Tristan da Cunha bound for Cape Town, RMS St. Helena will sail around Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands to view the abundant bird life and detour to the remote southern outpost of Gough Island, 200 miles to the south east.

BirdWatch Cape

http://www.birdwatch.co.za
BirdWatch Cape specialises in birdwatching tours in Cape Town and the South African dry west and also acts as agents for birding tours in other parts of South Africa. Established in 1997, BirdWatch Cape has introduced over 500 visitors to South Africa to the diverse and interesting bird variety offered in the South African dry west. From Cape Town to the Kalahari, deep into the endemic rich Karoo and down to the forests of the Garden Route our aim is to optimise your visit to this fascinating and underrated part of the natural world...

Ferdie Muller - Eco Training and African Safaris

http://www.ferdiemuller.com/index.html
I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you on one of our specialized Field Guide Training Courses now held at our new bush camp in Zululand. For those of you with greater ambitions the Diploma Nature Conservation course may be the key to your future in the conservation industry. “See you in the Bush”...

Focus Tours

http://www.africantravel.com/index.html
A company specialising in Southern African wildlife & birding tours.

Go Birding Safaris

http://business.fortunecity.com/turn/838/
Birding tours in South Africa by Microbus.

Indicator Birding

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4074/i_birding.htm
With over 20 years of birding experience throughout Southern Africa, Etienne Marais will be your host and guide, on a birding tour of note! Tours are designed to maximise your specific birding objectives, and you can be sure of a big list. Typically we make all arrangements, according to your requirements. The following concept tours are offered for small groups (max 7): 1. Birding for Diversity - This is an excellent introduction to African birding, and focusses on covering a wide range of habitats, and those localities with the highest species count. This tour also includes excellent opportunities for mammal watching. Expectations are 400 species in a week. 2. Endemics Tour - Southern African endemics are mostly sub-montane, semi-desert or grassland species, and this tour focussing on 170 or so endemics and near endemics found in the region. Whatever the length of the tour, it is focussed on seeing the largest possible proportion of these endemics. This tour is recommended for the more advanced twitcher, who has birded elsewhere in Africa before, or plans to in future. Expectations are 75% of endemics in a week long tour, 90% in a 21 day endemics extravaganza.

Lawsons

http://www.lawsons.co.za/
As Southern Africa is so diverse, with a great number of vastly different habitats, the birdlife is considerable. This makes the sub-region a popular birdwatching destination with over 900 species on the list. Lawson`s plan and run tailormade guided birdwatching tours for small groups throughout the sub-region. Most trips are led by Peter Lawson who is a highly experienced specialist tour guide. His knowledge and ability at finding and identifying difficult species is well known by birders from various parts of the globe. When Peter is not available to personally lead tours we engage the services of other knowledgeable registered guides and we have a good reputation for our expertise. P O BOX 16849, NELSPRUIT, 1200 SOUTH AFRICA

Merlan Adventure Tours

http://home.global.co.za/~merlan/
The people of the region carry a proud heritage of endeavour, wealth and traditions and the cultural diversity of it`s tribal and western civilizations are united to celebrate the African Century. The wildlife of our subcontinent is legendary and this, combined with our scenic beauty and cultural heritage makes Southern Africa a place of renewal and a sanctuary for the soul.

NtabaTours

http://www.ntabatours.com/index.htm
Birding tours across S Africa...

Rockjumper

http://www.rockjumper.co.za/default.asp?id=1139
Our tours are intended for birders who wish to spend most or all of their holiday time birding. To optimise the increased bird activity in the cooler morning hours, an average day on tour usually begins before sunrise and frequently ends well after sunset with a night drive in search of nocturnal birds and mammals, although we often take a rest during the heat of the day. We try, where possible, to divide the day`s activities into optional sections, allowing participants greater freedom and flexibility. Whilst the hours are often rigorous, most Rockjumper tours are not physically strenuous, requiring no more than moderate fitness. Less focused itineraries can be planned for groups who wish to concentrate on the cultural or other wildlife aspect of the countries in which we offer tours (although in no way are these ignored on our standard itineraries.)

SA Tours & Safaris Ltd

http://www.toursaa.com/
We design travel and safari packages into all the national parks and game reserves in Southern Africa. This includes birding tours and packages...

Safariwise

http://www.safariwise.net/
SafariWise is an eco-tourism operator based in South Africa. We have been operating specialised and personal guided and self-drive tours throughout southern Africa since 1992...

Shoebill Tours

http://www.shoebilltours.com
specialist birding trips in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa...

South African Tours

http://www.southafricantours.co.za/
Specialised guided birding to Zululand, kwaZuluNatal. An area of diverse habitats hosting 700 plus species of birds, and 750 tree species

Tropical Birding

http://www.tropicalbirding.com
We are an innovative and rapidly-growing company offering superb birding tours to many tropical destinations throughout the world. One of the things that sets us apart is our commitment to protecting the same birds that we love to show our clients. We are running several tours in conjuction with BirdLife International where we will donate half, or in a few cases ALL of the profits to bird conservation!

Twitcher Tours

http://www.zbr.co.za/tours/martin-benadie/
SOUTHERN AFRICA encompasses the countries of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Together they form one of the richest avifaunal areas in the world. The region`s bird list currently stands at 951 species, of which 144 are endemic or near endemic...

Zest for Birds

http://www.zestforbirds.co.za
We specialise in extended birding tours throughout South Africa as well as guided birding day trips in the Western Cape targeting all the endemic and near endemic species. These trips are designed either to maximise the number of species our client can see or to chase their specific target birds. All trips are led by highly experienced guides to ensure you get the most out of the time you have available.

places to stay

Farmstay

http://www.farmstay.co.za/
Agri South Africa`s 40,000 commercial and 30,000 small scale farmers proudly present this fully electronic gateway to agricultural and ecotourism in South Africa. Click around and discover the wide variety of farmstays and activities on farms and in rural areas offering quality facilities in attractive yet unconventional surroundings and at tariffs you can afford - bed and breakfast, self-catering, game viewing, bird watching, hiking, biking, 4x4 routes, fly-fishing, horse riding, and many more...

mailing lists

SABirdNet

http://lists.ukzn.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/sabirdnet
To post to list:sabirdnet@lists.ukzn.ac.za
List contact:Jnorman@ukzn.ac.za
Discussion Group South Africa - see website to join...

Zulubird

To post to list:zulubird@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:zulubird-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Birdlife Zululand and the Zululand Birding Route has just established a new e-mail based forum for the area called Zulubird. The Zulubird forum is an email group where birders from around Zululand can correspond with the whole group by posting an e-mail message to the forum.