05 – 13 FEBRUARY 2026
By Zach Simpson
Overview
Our Limpopo budget tour was a great success. We covered a good variety of habitats and areas. Setting off from Johannesburg we entered the dry woodlands north of the city. These woodlands are interspersed by large flood planes that hold remarkable waterbird diversity and numbers. Some of the highlights here included Red-footed Falcon, Olive-tree Warbler, Lesser Moorhen and Dwarf Bittern.
Thick-billed Cuckoo was one of the major highlights of the trip.
Heading north towards the city of Polokwane, we enjoyed some fantastic grassland birding as well as more dry woodland. Highlights in the grassland included Short-clawed and Pink-billed Larks, White-bellied Bustard, Long-tailed Widowbirds and Tinkling Cisticola. Other dry woodland species included Violet-eared and Black-faced Waxbills, Brown-backed Honeybird and Pearl-spotted Owlet.
Long-tailed Widowbird was a firm favorite of the grasslands.
Heading down the escarpment via the Wolkberg, we added some species like Gurney’s Sugerbird and Buff-streaked Chat. Within the mistbelt forest and grassland we found species like Orange Ground Thrush, Olive Woodpecker, Knysna Turaco, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Gray Cuckooshrike, Red-chested Flufftail, Drakensberg Prinia, Fan-tailed Grassbird and many more.
We had a special day set aside for some Lowveld birding near the town of Tzaneen. This was a fruitful day that produced a whole new array of birds. A half day walk around Hans Merensky Nature Reserve produced Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Thick-billed and Red-chested Cuckoos, Purple Indigobird, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Gray Penduline-Tit, African Green Pigeon and Purple-crested Turaco. The suburbia around the town also produced Magpie Mannikin and then another site produced the most special view of a pair of Bat Hawks.
Our single night near Louis Trichardt added a few good species like African Finfoot, Gorgeous Bushshrike, Allen’s Gallinule and Blue-spotted Wood Dove. We then made our way back south for our departure.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 05th February 2026. Arrival and transfer to Dinokeng Game Reserve
We met at Mugg & Bean at OR Tambo International Airport, some having flown into South Africa for the first time, others arriving from the Cape Town Budget Tour, before departing north out of the city. Our first overnight stay was in Dinokeng Game Reserve, where we arrived at our accommodation in the mid-afternoon. Later that evening, we enjoyed our first birding session around the camp. Some of our first birds included Crimson-breasted Shrike, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Burchell’s Starling, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Woodland Kingfisher, Magpie Shrike, Southern Pied Babbler and many more. After our first dinner together, we added a few nocturnal species to our list. These were Western Barn and Southern White-faced Owls as well as Fiery-necked Nightjar. We were also treated by a number of calling Black-backed Jackals as we went to bed.
Day 2, 06th February 2026. Birding Zaagkuilsdrift and transfer to Polokwane
With an early start we headed out to Zaagkuilsdrift. On the way out we were treated with a large group of Amur Falcons and Lesser Kestrels. Pressing forward we added Swainson’s and Natal Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl and Crowned and African Wattled Lapwings along the road. Our first stop along the road produced White-throated Robin-Chat, Red-billed Firefinch, Green-winged Pytilia, Lilac-breasted Roller and others.
The stops further along the road closer to the flood plains produced good numbers of waterbirds, including Black-crowned Night, Black, Little, Squacco and Purple Herons, four egret species, Black-winged Pratincoles, Hamerkop, Lesser Moorhen, Glossy Ibis, Dwarf Bittern, Yellow-billed Stork, African Darter, Spur-winged and Egyptian Geese, Yellow-billed and White-faced Whistling Ducks and African Jacana. Other birds seen included Yellow-crowned Bishop, White-winged Widowbird, Olive-tree Warbler, Gray Go-away-bird, Wattled Starling, Shaft-tailed and Pin-tailed Whydahs and Namaqua Dove. The bird of the morning was a male Red-footed Falcon that gave us good views as it flew past.
Red-footed Falcon was a great surprise at Zaagkuilsdrift.
After a great morning of birding, we drove north towards Polokwane, our base for the next two nights. Along the way we stopped off at a petrol station where we added a few birds such as Village and Lesser Masked Weavers, Groundscraper Thrush and Cut-throat Finch. After out Wimpy lunch we made the last leg of the drive to Polokwane. Arriving there in the mid-afternoon we had some down time before heading out for another bit of birding.
The evening was spent birding a dirt track on the outskirts of town. We were fortunate and had both Lesser Spotted Eagle and Cape Vultures flying over. Other good birds to round off the day were Arrow-marked Babblers, Marsh Warbler, Marico Sunbird, Black-collared Barbets, Neddicky, Sabota Lark, Red-breasted Swallow, Golden-breasted and Cinnamon-breasted Buntings.
Having had our first full day of birding, we watched the sun go down as we drove back to our accommodation. We enjoyed a meal together and called it a day.
Day 3, 07th February 2026. Full day of birding around Polokwane
This morning, we focused on the grasslands to the west of Polokwane. This was a very successful morning as we saw pretty much all of our targets. Our first area we added Desert Cisticola, Scaly-feathered Finch, Buffy Pipit, Long-tailed Widowbird, Red-faced Mousebirds, Northern Black Korhaan and White-bellied Bustard, Pink-billed, Rufous-naped, Spike-heeled, and Short-clawed Larks as well as Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Quailfinch and Yellow-bellied Eremomela. We had a pair of both Gabar Goshawks and Lanner Falcons passing through the area and more views of Cape Vultures.
Pink-billed Lark was great to see in good numbers.
Moving along we had a quick stop to look for Tinkling Cisticola with great success, followed by views of Great-spotted Cuckoo and Cape Sparrow. Visiting the Houtrivier Dam produced a few other species including Crested Barbet, Southern Red Bishop, White-throated Swallow, Brown-throated Martins and Black-chested Snake-Eagle.
On our way back to Polokwane, we added Greater Kestrel which was on the side of the road. For lunch we popped in at Woolworths store and bought a good selection of food to take back to our accommodation to eat during our down time.
The afternoon’s birding was spent in Polokwane Game Reserve. Our time here was very productive and we had a number of stops in the reserve. We added Yellow-breasted Apalis, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Amethyst Sunbird, Brown-backed Honeybird, Yellow-fronted Canary, Eurasian Hoopoe, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Garden Warbler, Ashy Tit, Black-faced and Violet-eared Waxbills, and further sightings of Crimson-breasted Shrike. We were also treated with good numbers of storks in thermals overhead. These included Marabou, Abdim’s and White Storks. As we headed out the reserve before the gates closed, some got views of Common Ostrich. This rounded off the day well.
Day 4, 8th February 2026. Transfer to Magoebaskloof via Wolkberg
This morning played out slightly differently. We planned to have a sit-down breakfast at 9am with an optional bit of birding before that. So, some of us headed out early in the morning and had some productive birding. On our way out of Polokwane we had a Shelley’s Francolin on the side of the road. Other birds that were added included Gray-headed Bushshrike, Black-headed Oriole, Levaillant’s, Jacobin and Red-chested Cuckoos, Violet-backed Starling, Familiar Chat, Cardinal Woodpecker, Common Scimitarbill, Long-tailed Paradise Whydah and Village Indigobird.
We headed back to the accommodation and enjoyed a great sit-down breakfast. We then hit the road to Magoebaskloof. On the way there we spent a bit of time in the Wolkberg. Here we added a few key species such as Gurney’s Sugarbird, Wailing and Rock-loving Cisticolas, Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbirds and Buff-streaked Chat. Other good birds included African Harrier-Hawk, African and Alpine Swifts, as well as Swee Waxbill.
We arrived at out hotel around mid-afternoon. This hotel is nestled in the mistbelt forests and hence we were able to do some birding right from our accommodation. As things cooled down we headed out into the forest. Unfortunately, the forest was very quiet. Despite this we saw Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Batis, Knysna Turaco, and African Wooly-necked Stork (fly over). Thankfully we had more opportunities in the following days to bird these pristine forests.
Yellow-streaked Greenbul was common in the forest but tough to photograph.
Day 5, 9th February 2026. Full day with the local guide in the Lowveld
Of our two full days in Magoebaskloof, we selected this day to head down the escarpment into the Lowveld east of Tzaneen. This produced a whole new set of species for us. This Lowveld habitat can produce a huge number of birds. Unfortunately, we were greeted with a slightly overcast morning. Despite this we did manage to see no less than 70 species in our morning walk around Hans Merensky Nature Reserve with our local guide. The main habitat was Mopane/mixed woodland as well as some riparian woodland along the Letaba River. Some of the species seen included African Green Pigeon, Purple-crested Turaco, Lesser Honeyguide, White-crested and Retz’s Helmetshrike, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Gray Penduline Tit, Striped Kingfisher, Bearded Scrub Robin, Collared Sunbird, Broad-billed Roller and Purple Indigobird. Today’s bird of the day – by far – was a Thick-billed Cuckoo that provided excellent and extended views. We also had very brief views of Bronze-winged Courser flying off the track. Water Thick-knee and Osprey were also features along the river.
Stierling’s Wren-Warblers were calling all over but were difficult to lay eyes on.
While heading back towards Tzaneen, we had one or two more stops and added Lizard Buzzard, and Greater Blue-eared Starling as well as some water birds like Giant Kingfisher, Wood Sandpiper, White-fronted Bee-eater, African Pied Wagtail and Wire-tailed Swallow. Once back in the Tzaneen area we searched for two fantastic targets, Magpie Mannikin and Blue-spotted Wood Dove. Unfortunately, we only saw the Magpie Mannikins, we did hear the wood dove but would have to look for it later in the trip. Other birds seen included Thick-billed Weaver, Little Rush Warbler and a distant fly-by of a White-backed Vulture. Another big target for the day was at a site just outside of Tzaneen. This came in the form of a pair of Bat Hawks which had a nest in some large blue gum trees. We were fortunate and managed to see both the male and female, and the nest.
It was a privilege to see a pair of roosting Bat Hawks near their nest.
After a long day of birding most opted out of a walk around the hotel just before sunset. However, for those that did we added Levaillant’s Cisticola, African Yellow Warbler and Drakensberg Prinia. We then ended the day with a fantastic meal on the deck of the hotel.
Day 6, 10th February 2026. Full day around Magoebaskloof
Due to a misty morning we started a bit later than originally planned. As the mist cleared, we were up, fetched our local guide and spent some time in grassland habitat. We had a few great species here, including African Stonechat, Olive Woodpecker, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Yellow Bishop and Levaillant’s Cisticola.
From the grasslands we headed into the Woodbush Forest area. Our first stop produced a few special seed eating birds, including Swee Waxbill, Green Twinspot, Red-backed Mannikin and Forest Canary. Moving on from there we spent a bit of time along a forest trail, here some got views of Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, and Black-fronted and Olive Bushshrikes, among other species that we had already seen. Unfortunately, the forest was quiet, and we only added Gray Cuckooshrike, Brown Scrub Robin and Southern Double-collared Sunbird. Long-crested Eagle was also a highlight seen within the pine plantations.
By this time it was time to drop our local guide off. We did so and then enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by coffee at a farm stall. Heading back to the accommodation we had distant views of African Fish Eagle. Once we arrived back we had a little bit of down time to rest. We then entered the forest around the accommodation again in hopes of adding a few more forest species. We fortunately added Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, which was a very cool bird to see.
From there we went down into the marshy wooded valley below our accommodation. The most exciting species was a male Red-chested Flufftail. Other species included Holub’s Golden Weaver, Cape Canary and Streaky Headed Seedeater.
Having done a good amount of birding we called it a day and enjoyed a supper on the deck of the hotel. After our dinner we took a short walk. This turned out to be very successful as we had insane views of African Wood Owl. This was a huge highlight for some on the trip.
African Wood Owl was one of the nocturnal highlights of the trip.
Day 7, 11st February 2026. Transfer to Louis Trichardt
Today was both a travel day and a day to try and find some of the targets we had missed both in the mistbelt forests and the lowveld. We started with a short walk in a patch of forest about five minutes from our accommodation. Quickly we saw a couple species we had already seen. These included Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Levaillant’s Cisticola. While walking along the trail we heard Cape Parrot, unfortunately, despite attempts at seeing it we were unable to get views. Other birds seen this morning included repeat views of Black-fronted Bushshrike, Chorister Robin-Chat, Brown Scrub Robin and Olive Woodpecker. One of the main targets we added was a single Orange Ground Thrush feeding along the path. We also had a young Black Sparrowhawk flying past.
Once we had wrapped up the morning’s walk we headed back to the accommodation and enjoyed a sit-down breakfast on the hotel deck. We then packed up and headed down into the Lowveld. Here we managed to claw back a few species that we had missed on our main lowveld day. These included Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Green-capped Eremomela, Icterine Warbler, Croaking Cisticola and Gray-rumped Swallow.
Icterine Warbler was a nice surprise in the Lowveld.
We had lunch at the Letaba Junction along the Letaba River. Here we enjoyed fantastic views of Purple-crested Turaco. From here we started traveling north towards Louis Trichardt. On our way we saw a large flock of Abdim’s Storks. We arrived at our comfortable stay in the late afternoon. Some opted to do a quiet bit of birding, unfortunately we didn’t add many new species to the trip list.
We called it a night after having the largest T-bone steaks we had ever seen.
Day 8, 12th February 2026. Half day with local guide and transfer to Polokwane
Another early start as we fetched our local guide nearby and headed down onto some private land along the Levubu River. Here our main target was African Finfoot. Fortunately, after a bit of scanning, we picked up a female not far from where the group was standing. It simply disappeared into the overhanging vegetation. After a while a male bird appeared and they both put on quite a show for us. The male followed the female along the edge of the river with his wings lifted in the air. We assumed this was some sort of courtship display and it was a real treat for us. We also added Southern Crested Guineafowl during our time here.
African Finfoot put on an incredible show for us.
Moving on, we moved into a forested area on another private farm. Here we added Tambourine Dove and Lemon Dove as well as repeat views of Long-crested Eagle and Olive Bushshrike. After this we visited two dams, both of which had good surrounding vegetation. At the first dam we added Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Gorgeous Bushshrike, White-browed Robin Chat, Red-faced Cisticola and Eurasian Moorhen. At the second dam we added Allen’s Gallinule and Klaas’s Cuckoo.
This finished up our half day with our guide. We dropped him off and then enjoyed a Wimpy lunch. From here we drove south back to Polokwane, where we spent our last night of the tour. While on the road we saw a Pale Chanting Goshawk. We headed back into Polokwane Game Reserve and picked up a few species missed before. These included Pearl-spotted Owlet, which was being mobbed by a number of other species. We also saw Bearded Woodpecker, Coqui Francolin, Great Sparrow (guide only) and Black-crowned Tchagra. Back at our accommodation we enjoyed our last evening together, before parting ways tomorrow.
After many attempts to see Pearl-spotted Owlet we finally found one on the last day.
Day 9, 13th February 2026. Transfer to Johannesburg and departure
Being our last morning, we enjoyed a breakfast together at the accommodation. We then started the trip back to Johannesburg. Along the road we managed to add Wahlberg’s Eagle and repeat views of a close African Fish Eagle.
We arrived in Johannesburg in good time, so we could spend some time in Rietvlei Nature Reserve. We added a couple species here, including Fan-tailed Widowbirds, Pied Starlings, South African Shelduck, Common Reed Warbler, Whiskered Tern, Banded Martin and Cape Longclaw.
We then went to the airport and said our goodbyes. Thus our successful Limpopo Budget Tour came to an end.
Budget Limpopo 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:
EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, CR = Critically Endangered.
| Common name | Scientific name |
| Ostriches (Struthionidae) | |
| Common Ostrich | Struthio camelus |
| Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae) | |
| White-faced Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna viduata |
| Spur-winged Goose | Plectropterus gambensis |
| Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca |
| South African Shelduck | Tadorna cana |
| Yellow-billed Duck | Anas undulata |
| Guineafowl (Numididae) | |
| Helmeted Guineafowl | Numida meleagris |
| Southern Crested Guineafowl | Guttera edouardi |
| Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae) | |
| Crested Francolin | Ortygornis sephaena |
| Coqui Francolin | Campocolinus coqui |
| Shelley’s Francolin | Scleroptila shelleyi |
| Natal Spurfowl | Pternistis natalensis |
| Swainson’s Spurfowl | Pternistis swainsonii |
| Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) | |
| Fiery-necked Nightjar | Caprimulgus pectoralis |
| Swifts (Apodidae) | |
| African Palm Swift | Cypsiurus parvus |
| Alpine Swift | Tachymarptis melba |
| African Black Swift | Apus barbatus |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis |
| White-rumped Swift | Apus caffer |
| Turacos (Musophagidae) | |
| Grey Go-away-bird | Crinifer concolor |
| Purple-crested Turaco | Gallirex porphyreolophus |
| Knysna Turaco | Tauraco corythaix |
| Bustards (Otididae) | |
| White-bellied Bustard | Eupodotis senegalensis |
| Northern Black Korhaan | Afrotis afraoides |
| Cuckoos (Cuculidae) | |
| Burchell’s Coucal | Centropus burchellii |
| Great Spotted Cuckoo | Clamator glandarius |
| Levaillant’s Cuckoo | Clamator levaillantii |
| Jacobin Cuckoo | Clamator jacobinus |
| Thick-billed Cuckoo | Pachycoccyx audeberti |
| Diederik Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx caprius |
| Klaas’s Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx klaas |
| Red-chested Cuckoo | Cuculus solitarius |
| Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) | |
| Rock Dove | Columba livia |
| Speckled Pigeon | Columba guinea |
| African Olive Pigeon | Columba arquatrix |
| Lemon Dove | Columba larvata |
| Red-eyed Dove | Streptopelia semitorquata |
| Ring-necked Dove | Streptopelia capicola |
| Laughing Dove | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| Emerald-spotted Wood Dove | Turtur chalcospilos |
| Blue-spotted Wood Dove | Turtur afer |
| Tambourine Dove | Turtur tympanistria |
| Namaqua Dove | Oena capensis |
| African Green Pigeon | Treron calvus |
| Finfoots (Heliornithidae) | |
| African Finfoot | Podica senegalensis |
| Flufftails & Forest Rails (Sarothruridae) | |
| Red-chested Flufftail | Sarothrura rufa |
| Buff-spotted Flufftail (H) | Sarothrura elegans |
| Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae) | |
| Lesser Moorhen | Paragallinula angulata |
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus |
| Black Crake | Zapornia flavirostra |
| Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae) | |
| Water Thick-knee | Burhinus vermiculatus |
| Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae) | |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus |
| Plovers (Charadriidae) | |
| Blacksmith Lapwing | Vanellus armatus |
| Crowned Lapwing | Vanellus coronatus |
| African Wattled Lapwing | Vanellus senegallus |
| Jacanas (Jacanidae) | |
| African Jacana | Actophilornis africanus |
| Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) | |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola |
| Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae) | |
| Bronze-winged Courser | Rhinoptilus chalcopterus |
| Black-winged Pratincole | Glareola nordmanni |
| Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae) | |
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybrida |
| Storks (Ciconiidae) | |
| Marabou Stork | Leptoptilos crumenifer |
| Yellow-billed Stork | Mycteria ibis |
| Abdim’s Stork | Ciconia abdimii |
| African Woolly-necked Stork | Ciconia microscelis |
| White Stork | Ciconia ciconia |
| Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) | |
| African Darter | Anhinga rufa |
| Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) | |
| Reed Cormorant | Microcarbo africanus |
| Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) | |
| African Sacred Ibis | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
| Hadada Ibis | Bostrychia hagedash |
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus |
| Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) | |
| Dwarf Bittern | Botaurus sturmii |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax |
| Black Heron | Egretta ardesiaca |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
| Little Heron | Butorides atricapilla |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba |
| Yellow-billed Egret | Ardea brachyrhyncha |
| Western Cattle Egret | Ardea ibis |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea |
| Black-headed Heron | Ardea melanocephala |
| Hamerkop (Scopidae) | |
| Hamerkop | Scopus umbretta |
| Ospreys (Pandionidae) | |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus |
| Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) | |
| Black-winged Kite | Elanus caeruleus |
| African Harrier-Hawk | Polyboroides typus |
| White-backed Vulture – CR | Gyps africanus |
| Cape Vulture – VU | Gyps coprotheres |
| Black-chested Snake Eagle | Circaetus pectoralis |
| Bat Hawk | Macheiramphus alcinus |
| Long-crested Eagle | Lophaetus occipitalis |
| Lesser Spotted Eagle | Clanga pomarina |
| Wahlberg’s Eagle | Hieraaetus wahlbergi |
| Gabar Goshawk | Micronisus gabar |
| Pale Chanting Goshawk | Melierax canorus |
| Lizard Buzzard | Kaupifalco monogrammicus |
| African Goshawk | Aerospiza tachiro |
| Little Sparrowhawk | Tachyspiza minulla |
| Black Sparrowhawk | Astur melanoleucus |
| Yellow-billed Kite | Milvus aegyptius |
| African Fish Eagle | Icthyophaga vocifer |
| Jackal Buzzard | Buteo rufofuscus |
| Common Buzzard | Buteo buteo |
| Barn Owls (Tytonidae) | |
| Western Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
| Owls (Strigidae) | |
| Pearl-spotted Owlet | Glaucidium perlatum |
| Southern White-faced Owl | Ptilopsis granti |
| African Wood Owl | Strix woodfordii |
| Mousebirds (Coliidae) | |
| Speckled Mousebird | Colius striatus |
| Red-faced Mousebird | Urocolius indicus |
| Hoopoes (Upupidae) | |
| Eurasian Hoopoe | Upupa epops |
| Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae) | |
| Green Wood Hoopoe | Phoeniculus purpureus |
| Common Scimitarbill | Rhinopomastus cyanomelas |
| Hornbills (Bucerotidae) | |
| Southern Red-billed Hornbill | Tockus rufirostris |
| African Grey Hornbill | Lophoceros nasutus |
| Rollers (Coraciidae) | |
| Lilac-breasted Roller | Coracias caudatus |
| European Roller | Coracias garrulus |
| Broad-billed Roller | Eurystomus glaucurus |
| Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |
| Brown-hooded Kingfisher | Halcyon albiventris |
| Striped Kingfisher | Halcyon chelicuti |
| Woodland Kingfisher | Halcyon senegalensis |
| Malachite Kingfisher | Corythornis cristatus |
| Giant Kingfisher | Megaceryle maxima |
| Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis |
| Bee-eaters (Meropidae) | |
| White-fronted Bee-eater | Merops bullockoides |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster |
| African Barbets (Lybiidae) | |
| Crested Barbet | Trachyphonus vaillantii |
| Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus chrysoconus |
| Acacia Pied Barbet | Tricholaema leucomelas |
| Black-collared Barbet | Lybius torquatus |
| Honeyguides (Indicatoridae) | |
| Brown-backed Honeybird | Prodotiscus regulus |
| Lesser Honeyguide | Indicator minor |
| Woodpeckers (Picidae) | |
| Golden-tailed Woodpecker | Campethera abingoni |
| Bearded Woodpecker | Chloropicus namaquus |
| Cardinal Woodpecker | Dendropicos fuscescens |
| Olive Woodpecker | Dendropicos griseocephalus |
| Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) | |
| Lesser Kestrel | Falco naumanni |
| Greater Kestrel | Falco rupicoloides |
| Red-footed Falcon – VU | Falco vespertinus |
| Amur Falcon | Falco amurensis |
| Lanner Falcon | Falco biarmicus |
| African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae) | |
| Cape Parrot – VU (H) | Poicephalus robustus |
| Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae) | |
| Cape Batis | Batis capensis |
| Chinspot Batis | Batis molitor |
| Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae) | |
| Grey-headed Bushshrike | Malaconotus blanchoti |
| Black-fronted Bushshrike | Chlorophoneus nigrifrons |
| Olive Bushshrike | Chlorophoneus olivaceus |
| Orange-breasted Bushshrike | Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus |
| Gorgeous Bushshrike | Telophorus viridis |
| Brown-crowned Tchagra | Tchagra australis |
| Black-crowned Tchagra | Tchagra senegalus |
| Black-backed Puffback | Dryoscopus cubla |
| Southern Boubou | Laniarius ferrugineus |
| Crimson-breasted Shrike | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| Brubru | Nilaus afer |
| Vangas & Allies (Vangidae) | |
| White-crested Helmetshrike | Prionops plumatus |
| Retz’s Helmetshrike | Prionops retzii |
| Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae) | |
| Grey Cuckooshrike | Ceblepyris caesius |
| Black Cuckooshrike | Campephaga flava |
| Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios (Oriolidae) | |
| Black-headed Oriole | Oriolus larvatus |
| Drongos (Dicruridae) | |
| Fork-tailed Drongo | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| Square-tailed Drongo | Dicrurus ludwigii |
| Monarchs (Monarchidae) | |
| Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher | Trochocercus cyanomelas |
| African Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone viridis |
| Shrikes (Laniidae) | |
| Magpie Shrike | Lanius melanoleucus |
| Southern Fiscal | Lanius collaris |
| Lesser Grey Shrike | Lanius minor |
| Red-backed Shrike | Lanius collurio |
| Crows, Jays (Corvidae) | |
| Cape Crow | Corvus capensis |
| Pied Crow | Corvus albus |
| Tits, Chickadees (Paridae) | |
| Southern Black Tit | Melaniparus niger |
| Ashy Tit | Melaniparus cinerascens |
| Penduline Tits (Remizidae) | |
| Grey Penduline Tit | Anthoscopus caroli |
| Larks (Alaudidae) | |
| Spike-heeled Lark | Chersomanes albofasciata |
| Short-clawed Lark | Certhilauda chuana |
| Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark | Eremopterix verticalis |
| Sabota Lark | Calendulauda sabota |
| Rufous-naped Lark | Corypha africana |
| Pink-billed Lark | Spizocorys conirostris |
| Red-capped Lark | Calandrella cinerea |
| Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) | |
| Sombre Greenbul | Andropadus importunus |
| Yellow-bellied Greenbul | Chlorocichla flaviventris |
| Terrestrial Brownbul | Phyllastrephus terrestris |
| Yellow-streaked Greenbul | Phyllastrephus flavostriatus |
| Common Bulbul | Pycnonotus barbatus |
| Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) | |
| Black Saw-wing | Psalidoprocne pristoptera |
| Grey-rumped Swallow | Pseudhirundo griseopyga |
| 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 |
| Wire-tailed Swallow | Hirundo smithii |
| Western House Martin | Delichon urbicum |
| Greater Striped Swallow | Cecropis cucullata |
| Lesser Striped Swallow | Cecropis abyssinica |
| Red-breasted Swallow | Cecropis semirufa |
| Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae) | |
| Cape Grassbird | Sphenoeacus afer |
| Long-billed Crombec | Sylvietta rufescens |
| Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae) | |
| Willow Warbler | Phylloscopus trochilus |
| Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler | Phylloscopus ruficapilla |
| Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae) | |
| Lesser Swamp Warbler | Acrocephalus gracilirostris |
| Common Reed Warbler | Acrocephalus scirpaceus |
| Marsh Warbler | Acrocephalus palustris |
| African Yellow Warbler | Iduna natalensis |
| Olive-tree Warbler | Hippolais olivetorum |
| Icterine Warbler | Hippolais icterina |
| Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae) | |
| Fan-tailed Grassbird | Catriscus brevirostris |
| Barratt’s Warbler | Bradypterus barratti |
| Little Rush Warbler | Bradypterus baboecala |
| Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae) | |
| Red-faced Cisticola | Cisticola erythrops |
| Rock-loving Cisticola | Cisticola aberrans |
| Rattling Cisticola | Cisticola chiniana |
| Tinkling Cisticola | Cisticola rufilatus |
| Wailing Cisticola | Cisticola lais |
| Levaillant’s Cisticola | Cisticola tinniens |
| Croaking Cisticola | Cisticola natalensis |
| Neddicky | Cisticola fulvicapilla |
| Zitting Cisticola | Cisticola juncidis |
| Desert Cisticola | Cisticola aridulus |
| Tawny-flanked Prinia | Prinia subflava |
| Black-chested Prinia | Prinia flavicans |
| Bar-throated Apalis | Apalis thoracica |
| Yellow-breasted Apalis | Apalis flavida |
| Grey-backed Camaroptera | Camaroptera brevicaudata |
| Stierling’s Wren-Warbler | Calamonastes stierlingi |
| Yellow-bellied Eremomela | Eremomela icteropygialis |
| Green-capped Eremomela | Eremomela scotops |
| Burnt-necked Eremomela | Eremomela usticollis |
| Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae) | |
| Garden Warbler | Sylvia borin |
| Chestnut-vented Warbler | Curruca subcoerulea |
| White-eyes (Zosteropidae) | |
| Cape White-eye | Zosterops virens |
| Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae) | |
| Arrow-marked Babbler | Turdoides jardineii |
| Southern Pied Babbler | Turdoides bicolor |
| Sugarbirds (Promeropidae) | |
| Gurney’s Sugarbird | Promerops gurneyi |
| Starlings, Rhabdornises (Sturnidae) | |
| Common Myna | Acridotheres tristis |
| Wattled Starling | Creatophora cinerea |
| Cape Starling | Lamprotornis nitens |
| Greater Blue-eared Starling | Lamprotornis chalybaeus |
| Burchell’s Starling | Lamprotornis australis |
| Pied Starling | Lamprotornis bicolor |
| Violet-backed Starling | Cinnyricinclus leucogaster |
| Red-winged Starling | Onychognathus morio |
| Oxpeckers (Buphagidae) | |
| Red-billed Oxpecker | Buphagus erythrorynchus |
| Thrushes (Turdidae) | |
| Orange Ground Thrush | Geokichla gurneyi |
| Groundscraper Thrush | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| Olive Thrush | Turdus olivaceus |
| Kurrichane Thrush | Turdus libonyana |
| Karoo Thrush | Turdus smithi |
| Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) | |
| Brown Scrub Robin | Tychaedon signata |
| Bearded Scrub Robin | Tychaedon quadrivirgata |
| Kalahari Scrub Robin | Cercotrichas paena |
| White-browed Scrub Robin | Cercotrichas leucophrys |
| Ashy Flycatcher | Fraseria caerulescens |
| Southern Black Flycatcher | Melaenornis pammelaina |
| Fiscal Flycatcher | Sigelus silens |
| Marico Flycatcher | Bradornis mariquensis |
| African Dusky Flycatcher | Muscicapa adusta |
| Spotted Flycatcher | Muscicapa striata |
| White-browed Robin-Chat | Cossypha heuglini |
| Chorister Robin-Chat | Cossypha dichroa |
| White-throated Robin-Chat | Dessonornis humeralis |
| Cape Robin-Chat | Dessonornis caffer |
| African Stonechat | Saxicola torquatus |
| Buff-streaked Chat | Campicoloides bifasciatus |
| Ant-eating Chat | Myrmecocichla formicivora |
| Familiar Chat | Oenanthe familiaris |
| Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) | |
| Collared Sunbird | Hedydipna collaris |
| Amethyst Sunbird | Chalcomitra amethystina |
| Scarlet-chested Sunbird | Chalcomitra senegalensis |
| Malachite Sunbird | Nectarinia famosa |
| Southern Double-collared Sunbird | Cinnyris chalybeus |
| Greater Double-collared Sunbird | Cinnyris afer |
| Marico Sunbird | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| White-bellied Sunbird | Cinnyris talatala |
| Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) | |
| Cape Sparrow | Passer melanurus |
| Great Sparrow | Passer motitensis |
| 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 |
| Scaly-feathered Weaver | Sporopipes squamifrons |
| Thick-billed Weaver | Amblyospiza albifrons |
| Spectacled Weaver | Ploceus ocularis |
| Holub’s Golden Weaver | Ploceus xanthops |
| Lesser Masked Weaver | Ploceus intermedius |
| Southern Masked Weaver | Ploceus velatus |
| Village Weaver | Ploceus cucullatus |
| Red-headed Weaver | Anaplectes rubriceps |
| Red-billed Quelea | Quelea quelea |
| Yellow-crowned Bishop | Euplectes afer |
| Southern Red Bishop | Euplectes orix |
| Yellow Bishop | Euplectes capensis |
| Fan-tailed Widowbird | Euplectes axillaris |
| White-winged Widowbird | Euplectes albonotatus |
| Red-collared Widowbird | Euplectes ardens |
| Long-tailed Widowbird | Euplectes progne |
| Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae) | |
| Bronze Mannikin | Spermestes cucullata |
| Magpie Mannikin | Spermestes fringilloides |
| Black-and-white Mannikin | Spermestes bicolor |
| Swee Waxbill | Coccopygia melanotis |
| Green Twinspot | Mandingoa nitidula |
| Black-faced Waxbill | Brunhilda erythronotos |
| Common Waxbill | Estrilda astrild |
| Quailfinch | Ortygospiza atricollis |
| Cut-throat Finch | Amadina fasciata |
| Violet-eared Waxbill | Granatina granatina |
| Blue Waxbill | Uraeginthus angolensis |
| Green-winged Pytilia | Pytilia melba |
| Red-billed Firefinch | Lagonosticta senegala |
| Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae) | |
| Village Indigobird | Vidua chalybeata |
| Purple Indigobird | Vidua purpurascens |
| Dusky Indigobird | Vidua funerea |
| Pin-tailed Whydah | Vidua macroura |
| Shaft-tailed Whydah | Vidua regia |
| Long-tailed Paradise Whydah | Vidua paradisaea |
| Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae) | |
| Cape Wagtail | Motacilla capensis |
| African Pied Wagtail | Motacilla aguimp |
| Cape Longclaw | Macronyx capensis |
| Nicholson’s Pipit | Anthus nicholsoni |
| Buffy Pipit | Anthus vaalensis |
| Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae) | |
| Forest Canary | Crithagra scotops |
| Black-throated Canary | Crithagra atrogularis |
| Yellow-fronted Canary | Crithagra mozambica |
| Streaky-headed Seedeater | Crithagra gularis |
| Cape Canary | Serinus canicollis |
| Buntings (Emberizidae) | |
| Cinnamon-breasted Bunting | Emberiza tahapisi |
| Golden-breasted Bunting | Emberiza flaviventris |
| Species: | 328 |
| Species Heard Only: | 2 |
| Total Species Recorded: | 330 |
Budget Limpopo Mammal List – Following Mammalwatching.com (Sep. 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 |
| Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae) | |
| Blue Monkey | Cercopithecus mitis |
| Vervet Monkey | Chlorocebus pygerythrus |
| Squirrels (Sciuridae) | |
| Smith’s Bush Squirrel | Paraxerus cepapi |
| Canids (Canidae) | |
| Black-backed Jackal | Lupulella mesomelas |
| Mongooses (Herpestidae) | |
| Common Slender Mongoose | Herpestes sanguineus |
| Rhinoceroses (Rhinocerotidae) | |
| White Rhinoceros | Ceratotherium simum |
| Equines (Equidae) | |
| Plains Zebra | Equus quagga |
| Bovids (Bovidae) | |
| Impala | Aepyceros melampus |
| Hartebeest | Alcelaphus buselaphus |
| Black Wildebeest | Connochaetes gnou |
| Blue Wildebeest | Connochaetes taurinus |
| Bush Duiker | Sylvicapra grimmia |
| Waterbuck | Kobus ellipsiprymnus |
| Cape Buffalo | Syncerus caffer |
| Nyala | Tragelaphus angasii |
| Greater Kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros |
| Suids (Suidae) | |
| Common Warthog | Phacochoerus africanus |
| Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae) | |
| Common Hippopotamus – VU | Hippopotamus amphibius |
| Species: | 18 |
| Total sightings: | 18 |
This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.
