Central Kruger National Park – Olifants

About the Birding

The Kruger National Park covers 19,685 kilometres and is the 10th largest game reserve in the world. It has 3000 kilometres of road, 23 rest camps and a host of excellent picnic sites, walking trails, 4×4 routes, hides and massive dams. A remarkable new initiative involving the Kruger National Park is the creation of a fence free park that allows animals to migrate freely across national borders. In May 2002, Kruger, Coutada 16 (in Mozambique) and Gonarezhou (in Zimbabwe) formally merged into the 35 000 square kilometre Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world.

The big game viewing in Kruger rivals that of any reserve in Africa with large elephant, buffalo and lion populations being relatively easily seen. Every year over a million visitors tally up in the region of 520 bird species. Birding is best in the summer months (November to March) with the arrival of summer migrants but a remarkable amount of birds can be seen in the winter months (May – July). Birding is fantastic throughout the park but the northern area is host to a number of species that are on the edge of their southernmost range and do not occur elsewhere in South Africa. A birding trip to Kruger National Park should be on the agenda of any birder in South Africa.

Olifants is arguably one of Kruger National Park’s most scenic areas, featuring panoramic views over the Olifants River and its surrounding Mopane woodland. The rest camp is good for the Grey-headed Bush Shrike, Mocking Cliff-chat, Gabar Goshawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Burchell’s Starling, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and Yellow-bellied Greenbul. The Olifants River often supports both the Saddle-billed and Black Stork as well as the White-fronted Plover, White-crowned Lapwing, and Black-winged Stilt. At dusk, watch for Eurasian Hobby (summer), Lanner Falcon, and Bat Hawk. Booking on the Olifants River day walk will often allow participants the opportunity of seeing roosting Pel’s Fishing Owl and, although the birds are not guaranteed, it is often the best chance of finding this species within Kruger National Park.

Further afield, the S92 gravel road between Olifants and Balule is often good.

Key species:

Pel’s Fishing Owl, Bat Hawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby (summer), White-crowned Lapwing

About the Birding Site

The majority of birders actively plan birding trips to areas where they can either see a large number of birds in a short space of time or around rarities/localized species that would not easily be seen elsewhere. The Kruger to Canyons Birding Route offers both these highlights and a captivating wildlife experience to visiting birders.

Contained within the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route are 10 provincial nature reserves, the world’s largest collection of privately owned nature reserves, and the world-famous Kruger National Park. The route includes three vegetative biomes namely Montane Grassland, Afromontane Forest, Savanna and a fascinating vegetation unit of Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos with strong links to that of the Fynbos Biome which is otherwise restricted to the Western Cape. This diverse range of habitats provides a home to a total of 76 bird families and a staggering 510 species of which 8 are endemic to the region. The Lowveld is a raptor watchers’ dream destination with approximately 85% of South Africa’s raptors being concentrated in this region. The fantastic road infrastructure and well-established tourism industry, offering accommodation in unparalleled surroundings, provides birders with an excellent platform from which to explore the area.

The route starts at Graskop and the top of the Blyde River Canyon from where it meanders along the course of the panoramic Canyon before plunging down through the Abel Erasmus Pass, the only known breeding site of the rare Taita Falcon in South Africa, and into the Lowveld. The drop in altitude from 1730 to 250 meters above sea level gives rise to a multitude of breath-taking views of a Tufa waterfall, wooded valleys and the expanse of open savanna below. Once down in the Lowveld the route reaches the town of Hoedspruit where a number of different birding opportunities are presented. The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, which includes the Swadini Dam, offers a wide variety of typical bushveld bird species and also includes African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron and Green Twinspot. Mariepskop, which is one of the best-kept birding secrets in South Africa, is largely dominated by Afromontane Forest, but also includes a piece of Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos habitat at the summit. Exploring both habitats assures a treasured day’s birding with species such as Orange Ground Thrush, Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Red-necked Spurfowl and Gurney’s Sugarbird.

Alternatively one can continue on to the town of Phalaborwa, which as well as offering a diverse range of bushveld birding, has a number of wetlands which is uncharacteristic of the area. The region offers some fantastic bird species such as White-crowned Lapwing, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Saddle-billed Stork. Phalaborwa is also a gateway to the central section of the Kruger National Park which has been rated as one of the top birding destinations in Southern Africa with a species list exceeding 500 species. Kruger’s rest camps of Mopani, Letaba, Olifants and Satara with their fantastic mixture of bushveld and riparian habitat birding anchor the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route. Look out for species such as African Barred Owlet, Southern Ground Hornbill, Collared Pratincole and Yellow-billed Oxpecker.

The Kruger to Canyons Birding Route offers an amazing and diverse number of species within three different biomes supported by well-maintained infrastructure and world-class accommodation options catering specifically for birders. Birding sites along this route are broadly divided by their proximity to several key towns in the area or notable features of this route such as the Abel Erasmus Pass and Blyde River Canyon. The central parts of Kruger National Park are then treated separately from the northern parts (covered in the Soutpansberg sub-route) of this expansive reserve.

Key species:

Pel’s Fishing Owl, Bat Hawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby (summer), White-crowned Lapwing

Other Related Information

Take the N1 toll-road to Polokwane (Pietersburg). 40 km before Polokwane turn right onto the R71 and head for Tzaneen. After Tzaneen, head towards Phalaborwa and the Phalaborwa Gate. Allow between 6 to 7 hours for the trip to the gate. Olifants Rest Camp is 83 km away from the gate. Allow about 3 hours for the drive to the camp, however, if you want to enjoy the game viewing possibilities give yourself more time!

Other related information:

Recommended accommodation nearby:
SANPARKS offer a range of accommodation options within Olifants Rest Camp including 107 fully-equipped bungalows and 2 larger guest houses. The camp also features a small picnic area for day visitors, a fuel station, and a small convenience shop. No camping facilities are available at Olifants, though several private camps are only a stone’s throw away and offer many of the same birding possibilities. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.sanparks.org.

The nearest BirdLife Recommended Accommodations are in the nearby towns of Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit – Toro Yaka Bush Lodge:
Physical address: Balule Nature Reserve,
(On the R40 between Hoedspruit & Phalaborwa)
Fax: +27 (0)12 991 5984 or 086 603 8251
Mobile: +27 (0)82 308 5763
E-mail: info@toroyaka.co.za
Web: http://toroyaka.co.za/

Phalaborwa – Abelana Game Reserve:
Abelana Game Reserve
Cell: (+27) 061 952 4302
Website: www.abelanagamereserve.com
Email: info@abelanagamereserve.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abelanagamereserve/

Phalaborwa – Antares Bush Camp & Safaris
Cell: 083 2868281 (Ian) or 0828115696 (Mel)
Website: www.antares.co.za
Email: info@antares.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntaresBushCamp

Phalaborwa – Sunbird Lodge
Physical address: 21 Aalwyn Street, Phalaborwa
Tel: +27 (0)15 781 5559
Fax: +27 (0)15 781 5559
Mobile: +27 (0)72 756 1875
E-mail: info@sunbirdlodge.com
Web: http://www.sunbirdlodge.com

Local guide information:
A number of guided activities are available through SANPARKS and bookings are made directly at the reception in Letaba Rest Camp.

Text prepared by:
Daniel Danckwerts (Rockjumper Birding Tours)

Key species:

Pel’s Fishing Owl, Bat Hawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby (summer), White-crowned Lapwing

Contact details:

Olifants Rest Camp
Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6606/7
Fax: +27 (0)13 735 6609
Mobile: 082 888 6563