SWAZILAND PHOPHONYANE FALLS-MALOLOTJA- MBULUZI

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1 Website: Reach Africa Birding and Getaways Reach Africa Birding Tel: Cell: Fax: P.O Box 409 Allens Nek 1737 Roodepoort, South Africa Image Per Holmen SWAZILAND PHOPHONYANE FALLS-MALOLOTJA- MBULUZI 8 day trip: 19 to 26 March 2017 Swaziland, one of Africa s smallest countries, covers sq km of highly diverse landscapes and habitats, ranging from dramatic mountain scenery to open woodland savannah. The range in altitude from the top of Ngwenya Mountain,

2 Swaziland's second highest mountain (1829 m), to the deep Nkomati River Valley (640 m) accounts both for the mild temperate climate and great variety of habitats; from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist Afro-montane forest. 2 The country boasts a rich diversity of birdlife (493 species recorded to date), including some very interesting specials. THE DESTINATIONS Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve is nestled in the dramatic mountain landscape of north-west Swaziland, amid tumbling waterfalls and lush natural forests. The Reserve falls within the Barberton Centre of Plant Endemism and protects the rich biodiversity of the increasingly threatened middleveld habitat. Besides its rich botanical diversity, the 600 ha reserve is home to a remarkable 240 species of birds and some of the world's most interesting geological features. Accommodation is in luxury safari tents, nestled in the riverine forest with their own private balcony, overlooking the river. A network of walkways leads one from the accommodation through water gardens which merge with the river s edge onto a spectacular display of one of the world's oldest rock formations (3.6 billion years) Malolotja Nature Reserve is situated on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment in the northwest of Swaziland. The Malolotja River rises in the east of the reserve and meanders its way through some fragile highveld bog systems before tumbling over numerous waterfalls, including Swaziland's highest waterfall, the Malolotja Falls, and cutting its way through a steep sided gorge to meet the Nkomati River, some

3 3 900 m below. Montane grassland covers much of the reserve. Mist belt and riverine forests, gorges and rocky slopes and wetlands in the form of vleis and dams are other interesting habitats found in the reserve. The grassland at this time of year is full of spring flowers, with different species coming into flower, causing the colours to change every couple of weeks. Accommodation is in comfortable log cabins, overlooking a grassy drainage line. Mbuluzi Game Reserve is tucked against the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains in north eastern Swaziland. With its marvellous diversity of habitats and superb accommodation, Mbuluzi is a true jewel in the crown of the Swaziland kingdom. Bound by the Mbuluzi River and the Lebombo mountains, Mbuluzi includes riverine forests, rocky krantzes, deciduous thickets, knobthorn savannah, acacia thornveld and open grasslands. Accommodation is in a superb private lodge, situated in silent isolation alongside the Mbulizi riverbed with large trees and palms.

4 4 BIRDING ATTRACTIONS Phophonyane Falls (over 240 species) African Crowned Eagle, African Wood-Owl, African Black Swift, Black Saw-wing, Lemon Dove, Narina Trogon, Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Eastern Nicator, Chorister Robin-Chat, Mountain Wagtail, Cape Batis, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Olive Bush-Shrike, Black-bellied Starling, Pink-throated Twinspot, Green Twinspot, African Golden Weaver, Swee Waxbill, Olive Sunbird, Purple-banded Sunbird. Malolotja: (over 280 species) Secretary Bird, Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Swallow, Black-winged Lapwing, Red-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Kurrichane Buttonquail, Plain-backed Pipit, Long-billed Pipit, Red-throated Wryneck, Cape Grassbird, Buff-streaked Chat, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Gurney s Sugarbird, Wailing Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Drakensberg Prinia.

5 5 Mbuluzi: (over 350 species) Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, European Honey-Buzzard, African Cuckoo Hawk, African Goshawk, Eurasian Hobby, Black-bellied Bustard, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Senegal Lapwing, Bronze-winged Courser, Crested Guineafowl, African Finfoot (a garden bird), Tambourine Dove, Eastern Nicator, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Scalythroated Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird, Half-collared Kingfisher, Red-faced Cisticola, Purple-banded Sunbird, Grey Sunbird, Pink-throated Twinspot, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Grey Penduline-Tit. ITINERARY Day 1 (Johannesburg Malolotja) Depart bright and early After birding en route, arrive Malolotja early afternoon Afternoon birding and overnight in Malolotja Nature Reserve

6 Day 2 (Malolotja-Phophonyane Falls) Morning birding in Malolotja After brunch head for Phophonyane Falls Afternoon birding and overnight at Phophonyane Falls 6 Day 3 (Phophonyane Falls) Day spent birding and relaxing at Phophonyane Falls Day 4 (Phophonyane Falls- Mbuluzi) Early morning birding at Phophonyane Falls. Depart for Mbuluzi after brunch. Arrive mid-afternoon and overnight in Mbuluzi. Days 5, 6 &7 (Mbuluzi) Three days of heaven, birding and relaxing in Mbuluzi. During our stay, we may visit the adjacent Mlawula Nature Reserve and Hlane Game Reserve where big game including Elephant and White Rhino may be seen. A visit to a high-altitude wetland nearby may yield interesting rallids and waders. Day 8 Depart Mbuluzi after breakfast and return to the concrete jungle