25 August – 06 September 2025
By Zach Simpson
Namaqualand at this time of the year has some of the most dazzling flowers.
Overview
The tour (co-guided with Dylan Vasapolli) started in Cape Town where we got our first taste of the endemic birding in the fynbos. We enjoyed top specials like Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Rockjumper, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, and a few others. Some wetland birding was also rewarding with birds like Maccoa Duck, White-backed Duck, and Knob-billed Duck. Amazingly, we also managed to see two flufftail species on this western South Africa tour; Striped Flufftail was also seen during our time around Cape Town, while Red-chested Flufftail was seen during our time in the west coast farmlands.
Cape Rockjumper is one of the most iconic endemics from this area.
Heading up the west coast we were met with more specials like Cape Long-billed, Cape Clapper, and Karoo Larks and then, further north, Protea Canary near Clanwilliam. Our time around Springbok produced Karoo Eremomela and Cinnamon-breasted Warbler. Further west, on our day trip to Port Nolloth, we had Dune (Barlow’s) Lark. Our time around Pofadder produced some tough nomadic species such as Stark’s and Sclater’s Lark, as well as Black-eared Sparrow-Lark. Other specials included Red Lark and Karoo Korhaan.
On our way to the Kgalagadi we stopped in at Augrabies Falls where we were treated to the likes of Namaqua Warbler and Black Stork, and later in the trip we had Rosy-faced Lovebirds in a similar area. The Kgalagadi produced some great species including five owl species and other raptors such as Bateleur, Tawny Eagle, Secretarybird, Lanner, Pygmy, and Red-necked Falcons. Lappet-faced and White-backed Vultures were also seen. Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Kori Bustard, and Common Ostrich were also among the avian highlights.
Mammals were also well represented during the trip. Bryde’s Whale was a firm favorite around Cape Town. As we moved north, we had Large Gray and Cape Mongoose, Steenbok, Bush Duiker, Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Eland, Greater Kudu, Bontebok, and Springbok. A night drive from Pofadder produced Springhare, Aardwolf, and Bat-eared Fox. The Kgalagadi rounded up the mammals well, adding Red Hartebeest, Cape Fox, Small-spotted Genet, African Wildcat, and Leopard.
Orange-breasted Sunbird is one of the more common endemics around Cape Town.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 25th August 2025. Birding Cape Town and its Wetlands
After meeting up at our accommodation in the late morning, we set out for our first bit of birding of the tour. Our first stop was at Rondebosch Common, where our main target was Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk. A little bit of patience paid off and we were treated to outstanding views of a pair. We observed them feeding, mating, and nest building. We also saw Karoo Prinia, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Cape Buzzard (not a valid species), and a few others.
From there we made a quick stop at Woolworths to get some lunch. We got what we needed and proceeded to Strandfontein Sewage Works, where we started off with a quick picnic. From here we headed into the sewage works. We were treated to thousands of waterfowl, ibises, and gulls. Our first stop produced Fulvous Whistling Duck, Cape Shoveler, Cape Teal, Yellow-billed Duck, Southern Pochard, and a few others. We also encountered a Mallard, which was accompanied by a mixed bag of emotions towards this invasive species. The next stop produced Cape Canary, Little Rush and Lesser Swamp Warblers, White-throated and Barn Swallows, and Brown-throated Martins. We also encountered a single Greater Flamingo a little further on. Heading to one of the busier pans, we were greeted with large numbers of waterfowl. Eared Grebe was abundant and far outnumbered the Little Grebes. The most exciting species was Maccoa Duck, with about 20 individuals present. Further along we encountered some White-backed Ducks, which were a great addition to the waterfowl so far. Other species of note were African Swamphen, Great White Pelican, Cape Spurfowl, Pin-tailed Whydah, and Pied Avocet. African Sacred Ibises, Kelp Gull, and Hartlaub’s Gulls were present in their thousands around the pans.
Before heading back to the accommodation, we made a quick stop at Philippi Wetlands. Here we added vagrant Knob-billed Ducks, a Black-crowned Night Heron, White-faced Whistling Ducks, and a few others. This wrapped up the birding for the day. We enjoyed a nice supper out, did our checklists for the day, and then called it a night.
Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk was one of the first targets we saw.
Day 2, 26th August 2025. Rooi-Els and Betty’s Bay
We started with an early morning as we headed towards Rooi-Els. After enjoying the scenic route along Clarence Drive we stopped at a site for Striped Flufftail. This proved very successful and there were smiles all round after getting fleeting views of this species. We then enjoyed a coffee with some more Woolworths treats before doing a bit of birding in a similar area. Here we got views of Orange-breasted Sunbird, Yellow Bishop, and a few others. We then moved on to the main site at Rooi-Els to look for Cape Rockjumper. Unfortunately, the wind was blasting and we only got poor distant views of them. We transferred to one of our back-up spots where we were able to get much better views of a pair on the boulder-strewn hillsides. We then made a quick visit to Stony Point to see the African Penguins. We were also greeted with Crowned, Bank, Cape, and Great Cormorants. A flyby of Caspian Tern was a good addition.
Crowned Cormorant feeding chicks at Stony Point.
Lunch was had at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. After lunch we had a walk around the gardens, adding a number of good species. We quickly got Swee Waxbill, Fiscal Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird, and a few others. We made headway to the top of the gardens where we spent some time looking for Victorin’s Warbler. We had great success with everyone in the group getting good views of this tough species. Other more common species included Streaky-headed Seedeater, Cape Grassbird, Cape Batis, and Bar-throated Apalis. Verreaux’s Eagle and Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk also made a flyby. We wrapped it up at Harold Porter and made headway towards Cape Town. On the way, a quick stop at a viewpoint along Clarence Drive produced a Bryde’s Whale. This was a great addition to our fledgling mammal list. Other mammals for the day included Chacma Baboon, Cape Fur Seal, and Rock Hyrax. This wrapped up our day of birding.
Southern Double-collared Sunbirds were plentiful around Cape Town.
Day 3, 27th August 2025. Morning Birding at Kirstenbosch before transfer to Langebaan
A slightly later start with a fantastic sit-down breakfast at our accommodation was followed by a short stint of birding at Cecilia Forest for Cape Siskin. As the sun started to warm the area up, we were treated to good-sized flocks of these cool little endemics. We then moved on to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. While enjoying the magnificent gardens we also had some good bird activity. We started with a Spotted Eagle-Owl roosting at the garden entrance. We proceeded to search some of the more forested parts of the garden for Lemon Dove, but, unfortunately, we were unable to locate any. However, Forest Canary, Olive Woodpecker, Swee Waxbill, and Common Chaffinch (introduced) kept us busy. Further up in the gardens we had very obliging Cape Spurfowl, Amethyst Sunbird, Brimstone Canary, Fork-tailed Drongo, and a few other species. The interesting Elgin Buzzard also put on a show. This bird is not a recognized species and is not well understood. It is possibly a population of hybrid Common and Forest Buzzards. A Black Sparrowhawk also put in a quick flyby.
After our Botanical Gardens stint, we headed out towards the west coast and had a quick stint of birding around Silwerstroomstrand. Here we added Cape Penduline Tit to the list. A small reserve, Tienie Versfeld, also known for its great flowers, produced the Cape form of Cloud Cisticola. Other additions were Pearl-breasted Swallow, Cape Longclaw, Large-billed and Red-capped Larks, as well as Egyptian Mongoose and Steenbok.
Birding the area southwest of Darling along a gravel road was next on the agenda. Here we had great views of Red-chested Flufftail. We also had Wattled and Pied Starlings, Southern Red and Yellow Bishops, Cape Weaver, Capped Wheatear, and Southern Black Korhaan. We then proceeded and checked into the accommodation. We finished off the day with great calamari on the edge of the lagoon.
Red-chested Flufftail was our second flufftail sighting of the trip.
Day 4, 28th August 2025. Flowers and larks
With sunrise only being at around 7 o’clock in the morning and with our birding very close to where we were staying, we ate breakfast at 7 o’clock, before heading out. Our first spot was some open strandveld birding where we got White-throated and Yellow Canaries, Gray-winged Francolin, Long-billed Crombec, and the stars of the show, Cape Clapper and Cape Long-billed Larks. We also had more Red-capped and Large-billed Larks, as well as a distant calling Karoo Lark. We would have to work harder to get views of a Karoo Lark.
We then headed into West Coast National Park where we had a coffee stop not far from Geelbek Hide. Our coffee and rusks were accompanied by a covey of very friendly Cape Spurfowl. We then headed to the Geelbek Hide where we added Common Greenshank, Eurasian Whimbrel, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, and Sandwich Tern. By this time things were starting to warm up slightly and the sun started to get through the cloud bank that had formed. This was a good sign as our next stop was the flowers. We then headed to the Postberg Nature Reserve section of the national park. Along the way we connected with a Black Harrier. This was a great special to finally get in the bag. We also saw a few Common Ostriches, the first of the wild ‘genuine’ ostriches we would see.
The flowers were immaculate, with all different colors splashed across the landscape. The group enjoyed the flowers as well as the inhabitants of the area. Much time was spent photographing more common species in the flowers. We even saw a Black-headed Heron on two occasions catch and eat a rodent from within the flowers. Our lunch spot in the reserve near the sea produced Cape Gannet. This was a bird the group was very keen to see. On the way out of the reserve we added some good mammals including Gemsbok, Mountain Zebra, Springbok, Bontebok, and Greater Kudu. Heading back into West Coast National Park we stopped at another hide in search of Black Crake and African Rail. Unfortunately, we only heard these species and did not manage to get views. We then made a stop at Seeberg Hide on the way out. The walkway produced Gray Tit, this was one of the last strandveld birds we needed. We also got White-fronted Plover and Common Terns from the hide.
We then enjoyed some rest at the accommodation, followed by another great dinner. After dinner we went out in search of nocturnal species. We managed brief views of Fiery-necked Nightjars. Bush Duiker also made a brief appearance.
Spectacular flowers were the perfect backdrop for this Black-headed Heron.
Day 5, 29th August 2025. Transfer to Springbok
Our day started off with another breakfast around 7 o’clock at our accommodation. From here we packed up and headed to a site just outside of town. Our main target was Karoo Lark. Within no time we had a bird displaying not far away. The group managed to get good views of it displaying and sitting on a nearby bush. From here we started making our way towards Jacob’s Bay. Along the way we saw a few pairs of South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane. At Jacobs Bay we enjoyed a large flock of Antarctic Terns on a roost. The birds were going into breeding plumage in preparation for heading south to breed. We then continued to Velddrif. Here we had our coffee stop in the middle of the salt pans. We added a number of good species to our list, including Chestnut-banded Plover, Great Crested Grebe, Whiskered Tern, and the local rarities, the Red-necked Phalaropes. We then started with the first leg of our journey north. We drove for about two hours before making another stop just outside Clanwilliam. This was a strategic lunch spot, with the hopes of finding Protea Canary. After a quick bite to eat we headed up the road. After a bit of time we heard one calling and the whole group was able to get good views of this tricky species. Other notable species included Layard’s Warbler, Streaky-headed Seedeater, and Fairy Flycatcher.
We spent some time with a large Antarctic Tern roost at Jacob’s Bay.
From here we had roughly another three hours’ drive north. The Karoo had good rain and was looking stunning. There were flowers everywhere. A leg stretch halfway through produced Rufous-eared Warbler. We then continued to our accommodation in Springbok for a good rest after one of our longer days of travel. Our supper was had at the local steakhouse. This was a fantastic way to finish off the day.
Day 6, 30th August 2025. Day trip to Port Nolloth
The day started with us heading out towards Port Nolloth, about an hour and a half’s drive from Springbok. From Port Nolloth we headed about 12 miles (20 km) north. Here our main target was Dune (Barlow’s) Lark. We had a slight issue in the sand as we pulled off the road, however we dropped the tire pressure and were out in no time. Very soon we had a number of larks displaying. It took a bit of time to get scope views of a bird that landed on a distant bush. Unfortunately, we could not get closer views. We then had our morning coffee. During this time, we had Black-headed Canary and Namaqua Sandgrouse. We also managed good views of Rufous-eared Warbler and Tractrac Chat. A bit of time was spent at Port Nolloth watching the bay. We were hoping for some whales and dolphins. We only managed brief views of a breaching whale, most likely Southern Right, but we were unable to confirm. A few birds were seen here, with White-chinned Petrel being new for the trip. We then started our journey back to Springbok. We made a few stops on the way home, with not much of major interest, however we did see a Black Harrier flying through.
After grabbing some lunch, we headed back to the accommodation for some down time. At around four o’clock we headed out again for a drive along a public dirt road past Goegap Nature Reserve. This was a very productive afternoon. Within no time, we had a pair of Karoo Eremomelas and some Karoo Chats. We then headed to a spot where the road passed close to rocky outcrops. Here we had views of a pair of Cinnamon-breasted Warblers. Heading back along the same road, only this time a bit slower, we added Acacia Pied Barbet, Spike-heeled Lark, Southern Anteater-Chat and Mountain Chat, as well as better scope views of Black-headed Canary. After supper we headed out for a short night drive. Here we were able to get good views of a Freckled Nightjar.
Karoo Eremomelas were more abundant with all the greenery around!
Day 7, 31st August 2025. Goegap Nature Reserve and transfer to Pofadder
Having seen pretty much all the targets for this area so far, we were able to set aside some time to focus on the flowers. After a later start with breakfast at about 8 o’clock, we arrived at Goegap Nature Reserve. We started our birding around the visitors’ area. Here we added Pririt Batis, Cardinal Woodpecker, and finally Ground Woodpecker. We also had better repeat views of Layard’s Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Dusky Sunbird, and some others.
We then went to one of the picnic sites for our morning coffee. Here we had another Cinnamon-breasted Warbler. Another very cool addition was a Noki (Dassie Rat) that was collecting nesting material around the rocks. We then moved on, with our focus on the flowers. We were treated to a Many-horned Adder crossing the road, which caused great excitement. Pushing forward, we spent the next few hours observing the incredible flower spectacle. Some valleys contained more pink, orange, and yellow than green. It was as though a colorful carpet covered the valley floors. A few birds were added during this time. These included Nicholson’s Pipit and Stark’s Lark (guide only).
Many-horned Adder was a cool non-avian highlight.
After our time in the reserve, we enjoyed a lunch at Wimpy and then transferred to Pofadder to check in to our new accommodation. Once checked in, we had a short break before heading out onto a public dirt road to see what we could find. It proved to be rather successful. We found a pair of Double-banded Coursers as well as Karoo Long-billed Lark, Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Sociable Weaver, and a large number of Lark-like Buntings and Spike-heeled Larks.
Day 8, 1st September 2025. Full day around Pofadder
We had two major lark targets during this day. Unfortunately, they were both about an hour away on opposite ends of Pofadder. This meant we had an earlier start and were on the road at 6:30 am. We arrived at Koa Dunes sometime after 7 am. On the dirt road into this area, we had our first views of Northern Black Korhaan. When we arrived at the dunes, in no time we had a displaying Red Lark just off the road. This led to great views shortly after, when a bird perched on a bush and then the fence. We also had a few Fawn-coloured Larks perched up, which was another new bird for the trip. Once we had our lark in the bag, we drank our coffee watching some nearby drinking troughs. Here we were able to watch many bird species, some with hundreds of individuals coming down to drink. These included Sociable Weaver, Namaqua Dove, Red-headed Finch, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark and, more abundantly, Lark-like Buntings. Heading out of this area we also managed to get distant views of Eastern Clapper Lark.
Sclater’s Lark was one of the toughest birds to see on the trip.
We then went back to Pofadder, made a quick stop, got some lunch for later on, and then headed out in the other direction, this time in hopes of finding Sclater’s Lark. Shortly after we got onto the dirt road, we had views of Karoo Korhaan, one that we were really hoping to see in this area. We made a few other short stops as we headed to our Sclater’s Lark spot. Some of these stops were at small dams or distant water troughs. These added a few new birds such as South African Shelduck and, for some, Black-throated Canary. These places with water often held thousands of Lark-like Buntings and Gray-backed Sparrow-Larks. Another quick stop produced another Double-banded Courser. We eventually arrived on the plains where we looked for the Sclater’s Lark. Thankfully we had two individuals out on the plains. We then turned around and headed back towards Pofadder. Despite the heat, we added two new mammals, Yellow Mongoose and Meerkat.
We got back to our accommodation at around 3 pm and rested for a few hours. We planned on heading out on a night drive after supper. The night drive was a success on the mammal front. Unfortunately, we did not see the main bird target, Cape Eagle-Owl. Nevertheless, we had a number of mammals including Aardwolf, Springhare, Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, and a hare species (either Cape or Scrub).
Our views of the ant-eating Aardwolf were unbeatable.
Day 9, 2nd August 2025. Transfer to Kgalagadi National Park
Another travel day lay ahead of us, but we started with about an hour of birding on roads just outside Pofadder. We headed straight out to rocky plains. Here the birds played ball and, in no time, we had fantastic views of Stark’s Lark and then a single male Black-eared Sparrow-Lark.
After breakfast at the hotel we started the journey to our lodge in the Kalahari. On the way we made a stop at Augrabies Falls. Here we spent some time walking around the camp in search of targets. Our main target was Namaqua Warbler, we heard one calling in a reedbed on the edge of the camp and, after some time, managed to get views. We also had Orange River White-eye, Crested Barbet, and Golden-tailed Woodpecker. After lunch at the restaurant we went for a walk to see the falls. We added Black Stork and had good views of a Verreaux’s Eagle flying overhead. There was also a big flock of Alpine Swifts around. Continuing, we headed towards Upington. On this road we had our first Pygmy Falcon. Once in Upington we refueled and then started heading north towards the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Another stop along the road produced Yellow-bellied Eremomela. We arrived at our accommodation a little while before dark. We were welcomed by a friendly pair of Crimson-breasted Shrikes. This was a colorful end to the day.
Stark’s Lark put on an incredible show in the golden morning light.
Day 10, 3 August 2025. Full day along the Nossob riverbed and night drive
Today was a day long awaited, a full-day drive into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. We started the morning at around 5:30 am with a quick coffee. We then proceeded to the park gate where we met our ranger. After transferring to our open vehicle, we set off into the vast expanse of the Kgalagadi. One of our first stops was for a roosting Spotted Eagle-Owl. The second stop was for a family of Southern White-faced Owls. As we continued, we saw a herd of Springbok all standing alert, looking down the dry riverbed. Suddenly, a male Leopard walked into view. We watched the Leopard walk right past the vehicle, accompanied by two Black-backed Jackals alerting the area to its presence. It slowly headed over the dune and disappeared. We spent the rest of the day driving the Nossob riverbed. One of the highlights was later on at a waterhole, where we had large numbers of Burchell’s Sandgrouse coming down to drink. While we were watching them a Red-necked Falcon swooped down and took a Cape Sparrow.
Burchell’s Sandgrouse was a firm favorite in the Kgalagadi.
Other notable sightings for the day included Ashy Tit, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Kori Bustard, Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny and Martial Eagles, Western Barn and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls, and Lanner Falcons. Unusually, we also had a Ruff walking along the gravel road. Red Hartebeest was another addition to our mammal list. Once our drive was over, we spent the afternoon at leisure. The group opted for a night drive back into the reserve. At 5:30 pm we were back in the park. This proved to be a great success, with a large number of nocturnal mammals. These included Small-spotted Genet, Bat-eared and Cape Fox, Springhare, and African Wildcat. This was a nice way to wrap up the day.
Day 11, 4th August 2025. Second full day in the Kgalagadi
Our second day in the park was a little quieter than the first. We headed up the dry Auob riverbed. As we entered the riverbed, we had large numbers of Northern Black Korhaan. We managed to pick out a single Red-crested among them. Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill was also added to our trip list. We saw the same plains game, however, we also saw a herd of Greater Kudu. The Kgalagadi must be one of the top destinations to see roosting owls during the day. Once again, we had a large number of Spotted Eagle, Southern White-faced, and Barn Owls. Remarkable features of this reserve are the little cosmopolitan cities created by the massive Sociable Weaver nests. During our time in the Kgalagadi we observed a number of different species benefiting from these nests, including Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Western Barn Owl, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Pygmy Falcon, and Small-spotted Genet. Eventually we had to say goodbye to the park and started heading south again. We were due to spend one night on route to Upington. Our drive to our next accommodation produced White-backed Vultures and Pearl-spotted Owlet on the side of the road. These were major targets for this area. The rest of the afternoon was spent at leisure.
This male Leopard was one of the highlights of the Kgalagadi.
.Day 12, 5th August 2025. Transfer back to Upington
The day started with a sit-down breakfast at our accommodation at 7 o’clock. We then spent some time on the lodge grounds. The lodge was like a green oasis and attracted lots of birds. We started with Red-billed Firefinch, and then had a flyover Red-billed Oxpecker. We also had a brief view of a Southern White-crowned Shrike as it passed through. A Pearl-spotted Owlet caused quite a stir. We had a number of new birds mobbing the owlet, including Black-faced Waxbill, Green-winged Pytilia, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, and Southern Pied Babbler. We then packed up our things and left our accommodation. Before we bombed down to Upington we spent a bit of time driving a gravel road through some sparse acacia woodland in search of a few remaining species from this area. We were able to connect with African Gray Hornbill and Red-billed Buffalo Weaver.
The unique Bateleur gave us nice close views in the Kgalagadi
This rounded off our time in this area well. We made a few stops along the road on the gravel plains before Upington to look for Burchell’s Courser, but unfortunately had no luck. We then continued on our way and checked into our accommodation. At around 3 pm we headed out again, this time in search of a rather colorful bird that really contrasted with all the larks we had been seeing. Our first stop proved unsuccessful but our next stop, at the Orange River, proved very successful. As we were standing on the bridge we heard our target, Rosy-faced Lovebird, calling. Soon we had incredible views of about six pairs in the vegetation along the river. We also had a few African Black Ducks and African Pied Wagtail along the river. We enjoyed our last dinner together at the local steakhouse.
Secretarybird, a strange raptor, was seen on a few occasions.
Day 13, 6th August 2025. Departure
Our last morning was spent on the accommodation grounds. We spent about an hour at the Orange River. Here we saw some good birds including Hamerkop, African Fish Eagle, and Squacco and Striated Herons. We also had repeat views of South African Shelduck, African Black Duck, and Namaqua Warbler.
We then enjoyed a full breakfast together, followed by our goodbyes and a short trip to the airport where we all went our own ways.
Sociable Weavers and their giant nests were commonly seen in the Kgalagadi.
Western South Africa Bird List – Following IOC (15.1 / March 2025)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable.
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Ostriches (Struthionidae) | |
| Common Ostrich | Struthio camelus |
| Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae) – 15 / 174 | |
| White-faced Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna viduata |
| Fulvous Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna bicolor |
| White-backed Duck | Thalassornis leuconotus |
| Spur-winged Goose | Plectropterus gambensis |
| Knob-billed Duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos |
| Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca |
| South African Shelduck | Tadorna cana |
| Cape Shoveler | Spatula smithii |
| African Black Duck | Anas sparsa |
| Yellow-billed Duck | Anas undulata |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Cape Teal | Anas capensis |
| Red-billed Teal | Anas erythrorhyncha |
| Southern Pochard | Netta erythrophthalma |
| Maccoa Duck – EN | Oxyura maccoa |
| Guineafowl (Numididae) | |
| Helmeted Guineafowl | Numida meleagris |
| Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae) | |
| Grey-winged Francolin | Scleroptila afra |
| Common Quail | Coturnix coturnix |
| Cape Spurfowl | Pternistis capensis |
| Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) | |
| Fiery-necked Nightjar | Caprimulgus pectoralis |
| Freckled Nightjar | Caprimulgus tristigma |
| Swifts (Apodidae) | |
| African Palm Swift | Cypsiurus parvus |
| Alpine Swift | Tachymarptis melba |
| Bradfield’s Swift | Apus bradfieldi |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis |
| Bustards (Otididae) | |
| Kori Bustard | Ardeotis kori |
| Karoo Korhaan | Heterotetrax vigorsii |
| Red-crested Korhaan | Lophotis ruficrista |
| Southern Black Korhaan – VU | Afrotis afra |
| Northern Black Korhaan | Afrotis afraoides |
| Cuckoos (Cuculidae) | |
| Klaas’s Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx klaas |
| Sandgrouse (Pteroclidae) | |
| Namaqua Sandgrouse | Pterocles namaqua |
| Burchell’s Sandgrouse | Pterocles burchelli |
| Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) | |
| Rock Dove | Columba livia |
| Speckled Pigeon | Columba guinea |
| Red-eyed Dove | Streptopelia semitorquata |
| Ring-necked Dove | Streptopelia capicola |
| Laughing Dove | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| Namaqua Dove | Oena capensis |
| Flufftails & Forest Rails (Sarothruridae) | |
| Red-chested Flufftail | Sarothrura rufa |
| Striped Flufftail | Sarothrura affinis |
| Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae) | |
| African Rail (H) | Rallus caerulescens |
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus |
| Red-knobbed Coot | Fulica cristata |
| African Swamphen | Porphyrio madagascariensis |
| Black Crake (H) | Zapornia flavirostra |
| Cranes (Gruidae) | |
| Blue Crane – VU | Grus paradisea |
| Grebes (Podicipedidae) | |
| Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| Great Crested Grebe | Podiceps cristatus |
| Black-necked Grebe | Podiceps nigricollis |
| Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae) | |
| Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus |
| Lesser Flamingo | Phoeniconaias minor |
| Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae) | |
| Spotted Thick-knee | Burhinus capensis |
| Water Thick-knee | Burhinus vermiculatus |
| Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae) | |
| African Oystercatcher | Haematopus moquini |
| Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae) | |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus |
| Pied Avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta |
| Plovers (Charadriidae) | |
| Grey Plover – VU | Pluvialis squatarola |
| Three-banded Plover | Charadrius tricollaris |
| Blacksmith Lapwing | Vanellus armatus |
| Crowned Lapwing | Vanellus coronatus |
| Kittlitz’s Plover | Anarhynchus pecuarius |
| Chestnut-banded Plover | Anarhynchus pallidus |
| White-fronted Plover | Anarhynchus marginatus |
| Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) | |
| Eurasian Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica |
| Red-necked Phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus |
| Terek Sandpiper | Xenus cinereus |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos |
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola |
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia |
| Ruff | Calidris pugnax |
| Curlew Sandpiper – VU | Calidris ferruginea |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba |
| Little Stint | Calidris minuta |
| Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae) | |
| Double-banded Courser | Rhinoptilus africanus |
| Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae) | |
| Caspian Tern | Hydroprogne caspia |
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybrida |
| Antarctic Tern | Sterna vittata |
| Common Tern | Sterna hirundo |
| Sandwich Tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis |
| Greater Crested Tern | Thalasseus bergii |
| Hartlaub’s Gull | Chroicocephalus hartlaubii |
| Kelp Gull | Larus dominicanus |
| Penguins (Spheniscidae) | |
| African Penguin – CR | Spheniscus demersus |
| Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels (Procellariidae) | |
| White-chinned Petrel – VU | Procellaria aequinoctialis |
| Storks (Ciconiidae) | |
| Black Stork | Ciconia nigra |
| Gannets, Boobies (Sulidae) | |
| Cape Gannet – EN | Morus capensis |
| Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) | |
| African Darter | Anhinga rufa |
| Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) | |
| Reed Cormorant | Microcarbo africanus |
| Crowned Cormorant | Microcarbo coronatus |
| Bank Cormorant – EN | Phalacrocorax neglectus |
| Cape Cormorant – EN | Phalacrocorax capensis |
| Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) | |
| African Sacred Ibis | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
| Hadada Ibis | Bostrychia hagedash |
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus |
| African Spoonbill | Platalea alba |
| Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) | |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
| Little Heron | Butorides atricapilla |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides |
| Western Cattle Egret | Ardea ibis |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea |
| Black-headed Heron | Ardea melanocephala |
| Hamerkop (Scopidae) | |
| Hamerkop | Scopus umbretta |
| Pelicans (Pelecanidae) | |
| Great White Pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus |
| Secretarybird (Sagittariidae) | |
| Secretarybird – EN | Sagittarius serpentarius |
| Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) | |
| Black-winged Kite | Elanus caeruleus |
| Lappet-faced Vulture – EN | Torgos tracheliotos |
| White-backed Vulture – CR | Gyps africanus |
| Bateleur – EN | Terathopius ecaudatus |
| Black-chested Snake Eagle | Circaetus pectoralis |
| Martial Eagle – EN | Polemaetus bellicosus |
| Tawny Eagle – VU | Aquila rapax |
| Verreaux’s Eagle | Aquila verreauxii |
| Gabar Goshawk | Micronisus gabar |
| Pale Chanting Goshawk | Melierax canorus |
| Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk | Accipiter rufiventris |
| Black Sparrowhawk | Astur melanoleucus |
| Black Harrier – EN | Circus maurus |
| African Marsh Harrier | Circus ranivorus |
| Yellow-billed Kite | Milvus aegyptius |
| African Fish Eagle | Icthyophaga vocifer |
| Jackal Buzzard | Buteo rufofuscus |
| Barn Owls (Tytonidae) | |
| Western Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
| Owls (Strigidae) | |
| Pearl-spotted Owlet | Glaucidium perlatum |
| Southern White-faced Owl | Ptilopsis granti |
| Spotted Eagle-Owl | Bubo africanus |
| Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl | Ketupa lactea |
| Mousebirds (Coliidae) | |
| Speckled Mousebird | Colius striatus |
| White-backed Mousebird | Colius colius |
| Red-faced Mousebird | Urocolius indicus |
| Hoopoes (Upupidae) | |
| Eurasian Hoopoe | Upupa epops |
| Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae) | |
| Common Scimitarbill | Rhinopomastus cyanomelas |
| Hornbills (Bucerotidae) | |
| Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill | Tockus leucomelas |
| African Grey Hornbill | Lophoceros nasutus |
| Rollers (Coraciidae) | |
| Purple Roller | Coracias naevius |
| Lilac-breasted Roller | Coracias caudatus |
| Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |
| Brown-hooded Kingfisher | Halcyon albiventris |
| Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis |
| Bee-eaters (Meropidae) | |
| Swallow-tailed Bee-eater | Merops hirundineus |
| White-fronted Bee-eater | Merops bullockoides |
| African Barbets (Lybiidae) | |
| Crested Barbet | Trachyphonus vaillantii |
| Acacia Pied Barbet | Tricholaema leucomelas |
| Woodpeckers (Picidae) | |
| Ground Woodpecker | Geocolaptes olivaceus |
| Golden-tailed Woodpecker | Campethera abingoni |
| Cardinal Woodpecker | Dendropicos fuscescens |
| Olive Woodpecker | Dendropicos griseocephalus |
| Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) | |
| Pygmy Falcon | Polihierax semitorquatus |
| Rock Kestrel | Falco rupicolus |
| Greater Kestrel | Falco rupicoloides |
| Red-necked Falcon | Falco chicquera |
| Lanner Falcon | Falco biarmicus |
| Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae) | |
| Rosy-faced Lovebird | Agapornis roseicollis |
| Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae) | |
| Cape Batis | Batis capensis |
| Pririt Batis | Batis pririt |
| Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae) | |
| Bokmakierie | Telophorus zeylonus |
| Southern Boubou | Laniarius ferrugineus |
| Crimson-breasted Shrike | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| Brubru | Nilaus afer |
| Drongos (Dicruridae) | |
| Fork-tailed Drongo | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| Shrikes (Laniidae) | |
| Southern White-crowned Shrike | Eurocephalus anguitimens |
| Southern Fiscal | Lanius collaris |
| Crows, Jays (Corvidae) | |
| Cape Crow | Corvus capensis |
| Pied Crow | Corvus albus |
| White-necked Raven | Corvus albicollis |
| Rockjumpers (Chaetopidae) | |
| Cape Rockjumper | Chaetops frenatus |
| Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae) | |
| Fairy Flycatcher | Stenostira scita |
| Tits, Chickadees (Paridae) | |
| Ashy Tit | Melaniparus cinerascens |
| Grey Tit | Melaniparus afer |
| Penduline Tits (Remizidae) | |
| Cape Penduline Tit | Anthoscopus minutus |
| Larks (Alaudidae) | |
| Spike-heeled Lark | Chersomanes albofasciata |
| Karoo Long-billed Lark | Certhilauda subcoronata |
| Cape Long-billed Lark | Certhilauda curvirostris |
| Black-eared Sparrow-Lark | Eremopterix australis |
| Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark | Eremopterix verticalis |
| Sabota Lark | Calendulauda sabota |
| Fawn-colored Lark | Calendulauda africanoides |
| Karoo Lark | Calendulauda albescens |
| Red Lark – VU | Calendulauda burra |
| Dune Lark | Calendulauda erythrochlamys |
| Cape Clapper Lark | Corypha apiata |
| Eastern Clapper Lark | Corypha fasciolata |
| Sclater’s Lark | Spizocorys sclateri |
| Stark’s Lark | Spizocorys starki |
| Large-billed Lark | Galerida magnirostris |
| Red-capped Lark | Calandrella cinerea |
| Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) | |
| Sombre Greenbul | Andropadus importunus |
| African Red-eyed Bulbul | Pycnonotus nigricans |
| Cape Bulbul | Pycnonotus capensis |
| Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) | |
| Black Saw-wing | Psalidoprocne pristoptera |
| Banded Martin | Neophedina cincta |
| Brown-throated Martin | Riparia paludicola |
| Large Rock Martin | Ptyonoprogne fuligula |
| Pearl-breasted Swallow | Hirundo dimidiata |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica |
| White-throated Swallow | Hirundo albigularis |
| Greater Striped Swallow | Cecropis cucullata |
| Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae) | |
| Cape Grassbird | Sphenoeacus afer |
| Long-billed Crombec | Sylvietta rufescens |
| Victorin’s Warbler | Cryptillas victorini |
| Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae) | |
| Lesser Swamp Warbler | Acrocephalus gracilirostris |
| Common Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus |
| Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae) | |
| Little Rush Warbler | Bradypterus baboecala |
| Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae) | |
| Grey-backed Cisticola | Cisticola subruficapilla |
| Zitting Cisticola | Cisticola juncidis |
| Cloud Cisticola | Cisticola textrix |
| Black-chested Prinia | Prinia flavicans |
| Karoo Prinia | Prinia maculosa |
| Namaqua Warbler | Phragmacia substriata |
| Bar-throated Apalis | Apalis thoracica |
| Rufous-eared Warbler | Malcorus pectoralis |
| Cinnamon-breasted Warbler | Euryptila subcinnamomea |
| Yellow-bellied Eremomela | Eremomela icteropygialis |
| Karoo Eremomela | Eremomela gregalis |
| Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae) | |
| Layard’s Warbler | Curruca layardi |
| Chestnut-vented Warbler | Curruca subcoerulea |
| White-eyes (Zosteropidae) | |
| Orange River White-eye | Zosterops pallidus |
| Cape White-eye | Zosterops virens |
| Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae) | |
| Southern Pied Babbler | Turdoides bicolor |
| Sugarbirds (Promeropidae) | |
| Cape Sugarbird | Promerops cafer |
| Starlings, Rhabdornises (Sturnidae) | |
| Common Myna | Acridotheres tristis |
| Common Starling | Sturnus vulgaris |
| Wattled Starling | Creatophora cinerea |
| Cape Starling | Lamprotornis nitens |
| Pied Starling | Lamprotornis bicolor |
| Red-winged Starling | Onychognathus morio |
| Pale-winged Starling | Onychognathus nabouroup |
| Oxpeckers (Buphagidae) | |
| Red-billed Oxpecker | Buphagus erythrorynchus |
| Thrushes (Turdidae) | |
| Groundscraper Thrush | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| Olive Thrush | Turdus olivaceus |
| Karoo Thrush | Turdus smithi |
| Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) | |
| Karoo Scrub Robin | Tychaedon coryphoeus |
| Kalahari Scrub Robin | Cercotrichas paena |
| Chat Flycatcher | Agricola infuscatus |
| Fiscal Flycatcher | Sigelus silens |
| Marico Flycatcher | Bradornis mariquensis |
| African Dusky Flycatcher | Muscicapa adusta |
| Cape Robin-Chat | Dessonornis caffer |
| Cape Rock Thrush | Monticola rupestris |
| African Stonechat | Saxicola torquatus |
| Karoo Chat | Emarginata schlegelii |
| Tractrac Chat | Emarginata tractrac |
| Ant-eating Chat | Myrmecocichla formicivora |
| Mountain Chat | Myrmecocichla monticola |
| Capped Wheatear | Oenanthe pileata |
| Familiar Chat | Oenanthe familiaris |
| Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) – | |
| Orange-breasted Sunbird | Anthobaphes violacea |
| Amethyst Sunbird | Chalcomitra amethystina |
| Malachite Sunbird | Nectarinia famosa |
| Southern Double-collared Sunbird | Cinnyris chalybeus |
| Marico Sunbird | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| Dusky Sunbird | Cinnyris fuscus |
| Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) | |
| Cape Sparrow | Passer melanurus |
| Southern Grey-headed Sparrow | Passer diffusus |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus |
| Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae) | |
| Red-billed Buffalo Weaver | Bubalornis niger |
| White-browed Sparrow-Weaver | Plocepasser mahali |
| Sociable Weaver | Philetairus socius |
| Scaly-feathered Weaver | Sporopipes squamifrons |
| Cape Weaver | Ploceus capensis |
| Southern Masked Weaver | Ploceus velatus |
| Red-billed Quelea | Quelea quelea |
| Southern Red Bishop | Euplectes orix |
| Yellow Bishop | Euplectes capensis |
| Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae) | |
| Bronze Mannikin | Spermestes cucullata |
| Swee Waxbill | Coccopygia melanotis |
| Black-faced Waxbill | Brunhilda erythronotos |
| Common Waxbill | Estrilda astrild |
| Red-headed Finch | Amadina erythrocephala |
| Green-winged Pytilia | Pytilia melba |
| Red-billed Firefinch | Lagonosticta senegala |
| Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae) | |
| Pin-tailed Whydah | Vidua macroura |
| Long-tailed Paradise Whydah | Vidua paradisaea |
| Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae) | |
| Cape Wagtail | Motacilla capensis |
| African Pied Wagtail | Motacilla aguimp |
| Cape Longclaw | Macronyx capensis |
| African Pipit | Anthus cinnamomeus |
| Nicholson’s Pipit | Anthus nicholsoni |
| Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae) | |
| Eurasian Chaffinch | Fringilla coelebs |
| Forest Canary | Crithagra scotops |
| Black-throated Canary | Crithagra atrogularis |
| Cape Siskin | Crithagra totta |
| Yellow Canary | Crithagra flaviventris |
| Brimstone Canary | Crithagra sulphurata |
| Streaky-headed Seedeater | Crithagra gularis |
| White-throated Canary | Crithagra albogularis |
| Protea Canary | Crithagra leucoptera |
| Cape Canary | Serinus canicollis |
| Black-headed Canary | Serinus alario |
| Buntings (Emberizidae) | |
| Lark-like Bunting | Emberiza impetuani |
| Cinnamon-breasted Bunting | Emberiza tahapisi |
| Cape Bunting | Emberiza capensis |
| Species Seen: | 294 |
| Species Heard: | 2 |
| Total Species Recorded: | 296 |
Western South Africa Mammal List – Following Mammalwatching.com (January 2024)
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
VU = Vulnerable, NE = Not Evaluated.
| Common name | Scientific name |
| Hyraxes (Procaviidae) | |
| Rock Hyrax | Procavia capensis |
| Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae) | |
| Vervet Monkey | Chlorocebus pygerythrus |
| Chacma Baboon | Papio ursinus |
| African Molerats (Bathyergidae) | |
| Common Mole-rat | Cryptomys hottentotus |
| Dassie Rats (Petromuridae) | |
| Noki | Petromus typicus |
| Squirrels (Sciuridae) | |
| South African Ground Squirrel | Geosciurus inauris |
| Springhares (Pedetidae) | |
| Southern African Springhare | Pedetes capensis |
| Old World Mice and Rats (Muridae) | |
| West-central Four-striped Grass Rat | Rhabdomys bechuanae |
| Xeric Four-striped Grass Rat | Rhabdomys pumilio |
| Eared Seals (Otariidae) | |
| Afro-Australian Fur Seal | Arctocephalus pusillus |
| Canids (Canidae) | |
| Black-backed Jackal | Lupulella mesomelas |
| Bat-eared Fox | Otocyon megalotis |
| Cape Fox | Vulpes chama |
| Felids (Felidae) | |
| African Wildcat | Felis lybica |
| Leopard – VU | Panthera pardus |
| Mongooses (Herpestidae) | |
| Yellow Mongoose | Cynictis penicillata |
| Egyptian Mongoose | Herpestes ichneumon |
| Cape Gray Mongoose | Herpestes pulverulentus |
| Meerkat | Suricata suricatta |
| Hyaenas (Hyaenidae) | |
| Southern Aardwolf | Proteles cristatus |
| Civets, Genets, and Oyans (Viverridae) | |
| Feline Genet – NE | Genetta felina |
| Equines (Equidae) | |
| Mountain Zebra – VU | Equus zebra |
| Bovids (Bovidae) | |
| Hartebeest | Alcelaphus buselaphus |
| Blue Wildebeest | Connochaetes taurinus |
| Bontebok | Damaliscus pygargus |
| Springbok | Antidorcas marsupialis |
| Steenbok | Raphicerus campestris |
| Gemsbok | Oryx gazella |
| Common Eland | Tragelaphus oryx |
| Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros |
| Rorquals (Balaenopteridae) | |
| Bryde’s Whale – NE | Balaenoptera brydei |
| Species Seen: | 31 |
This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.
