World Seabird Conference

World Seabird Conference Kruger & Wakkerstroom 31 st October to 6 th November 2015 (7 days) Lilac-breasted Roller by Markus Lilje

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 2 THE TOUR AT A GLANCE DETAILS Tour Dates Tour Price Tour Size 31 st October to 6 th November 2015 (7 days) ZAR 27,750.00 per person sharing (see financial arrangements below) Limited to 6 participants and 1 Rockjumper leader THE ITINERARY Day 1 Transfer to airport for flight to Nelspruit & drive to Kruger National Park Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Satara area, Kruger National Park Satara to Skukuza Skukuza area, Kruger National Park Kruger National Park to Wakkerstroom Wakkerstroom area Wakkerstroom to Johannesburg for departure THE TOUR IN DETAIL Day 1, 31 st October: Transfer to airport for flight to Nelspruit & drive to Kruger National Park. This morning you will transfer to Cape Town International Airport to connect with a flight to Nelspruit. Upon arrival here you will be met by your Rockjumper leader and thereafter undertake a drive to the world-renown Kruger National Park in South Africa's lowveld region. We expect to arrive at the entrance to the park in the mid-afternoon, and from here we begin our Kruger adventure! We already have a good chance of encountering some of Kruger s great mammals and special birds this afternoon, which could include any of the Big Five and certainly regular herds of Plains Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and Impala, while smaller groups of Warthog, Greater Kudu and Giraffe will also be a constant feature. Our perfectly situated camp (Satara) will be the base for the next two nights in the central region of this incredible and vast Swainson s Spurfowl pair by Leon Fouche wilderness. There will be an option after dinner this evening to do a night walk around camp and this will offer us an excellent chance of seeing African Scops Owl, while possibilities of finding Spotted Hyena patrolling the surrounding fence are good. If we are lucky, we might even encounter a Honey Badger, of which a few individuals are resident in and around the camp. Falling asleep to the calls of African Scops Owl, Spotted Hyena and roaring Lion is a very special experience indeed and is what Satara is famous for.

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 3 Lion by Leon Fouche Day 2, 1 st November: Satara area, Kruger National Park. The Greater Kruger conservation area incorporates vast areas of adjacent Mozambique and Zimbabwe and forms one of the largest reserves on earth! It is also one of Africa s most diverse parks, protecting a huge variety of wildlife. In the central part of the park, the area is dominated by open grassy plains and sparsely vegetated woodlands. The birding and game viewing in this region is excellent with many bird species attending mixed flocks, particularly in Acacia dominated woodland. In fact, the Acacia savanna that dominates most of the Kruger National Park contains an unusually high density of birds! This, coupled with the immense variety of game that we will endeavour to see, ensures a truly unforgettable experience. The camp itself is conveniently located in such habitat and is an excellent place to see Bennett s Woodpecker, African Hoopoe, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Burchell s Starling, African Mourning Dove and Brown-headed Parrot, while the surrounding rich bushveld and grasslands are particularly productive for a number of special species. These include Kori Bustard (the world s heaviest flying bird), the magnificent Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Marabou Stork and the impressive Secretarybird, one of the world s great avian gems. Further specialties that we will search for in the woodland areas include the lovely Orange-breasted and Greyheaded Bushshrikes, African Grey Hornbill, Southern White-crowned and Magpie Shrikes, Red-billed Oxpecker riding on the backs of big game, Red-crested Korhaan, Southern Black Tit, miniscule Grey Penduline Tit, noisy Green Wood Hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Greater and Lesser Honeyguides, Acacia Pied Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Sabota Lark, Mosque Swallow, Black Cuckooshrike, Kurrichane and Groundscraper Thrushes, eyecatching White-throated Robin-Chat, melodic White-browed Scrub Robin, Burnt-necked and Yellow-bellied Eremomelas, Stierling s Wren- Warbler, Black-crowned and Brown-crowned Southern White-faced Owl by Adam Riley Tchagras, Brubru, dazzling Violet-backed Starling and Golden-breasted Bunting. Noisy flocks of White-crested Helmetshrike are regularly encountered, and we will also be on the lookout for the much rarer Retz s Helmetshrike along with its seldom-seen host, the rare and much sought-after Thick-billed Cuckoo. In addition, we will keep a lookout for the amazing selection of migrant cuckoos that visit the park in summer, including African, Common, Red-chested, Diederik, Klaas s, Levaillant s and Jacobin Cuckoos, as well as the scarce Great Spotted Cuckoo. In the expansive grasslands we will seek out the bold Black-bellied Bustard, Crested and the rare Shelley s and Coqui Francolins, Swainson s and Natal Spurfowls, Chestnut-backed Sparrow- Lark, European and Purple Rollers, Yellow-throated Longclaw and, with luck, the erratic and nomadic Temminck s Courser and Senegal Lapwing. Summer visitors to these grasslands also include the scarce Pallid and Montagu s Harriers, while rocky outcrops might yield Mocking Cliff Chat, Red-winged Starling and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. In the late afternoon pairs of boldlypatterned and crepuscular Double-banded Sandgrouse come to the edges of the road to feed, before making their way down to watering holes at dusk to drink.

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 4 The sweet grasses in the Satara area are, of course, also excellent for large herds of grazing animals including Blue Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Impala. These huge herds in turn support a healthy population of predators and Satara is particularly well known for this. In fact, we have an excellent chance of finding Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and the very scarce and highly threatened African Wild (Painted) Dog in this area. High densities of other game include Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Warthog, Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey and Dwarf and Slender Mongoose, to name just a few. We will also undertake a night drive Leopard by Leon Fouche through the park where we hope to encounter some of the many rarer nocturnal mammals such as African Civet, Small-spotted and Blotched Genets, Side-striped Jackal, the beautiful Serval, White-tailed Mongoose and African Wild Cat, along with several species of owl and nightjar. These include Spotted and Verreaux s Eagle-Owls, African Scops Owl, Southern White-faced Owl, and Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjars. Day 3, 2 nd November: Satara to Skukuza. This morning we head further south into a different region of the park, where the denser bushveld, woodlands and gallery forest are more of a feature. One of the new species we hope to spot is the majestic Southern Ground Hornbill striding around, and we will be treated to many encounters with the gaudy Lilac-breasted Roller. Raptors are numerous throughout the reserve and we will no doubt enjoy sightings of the striking Bateleur as well as Tawny and Wahlberg s Eagles, Hooded, White-backed and huge Lappet-faced Vultures, and the handsome African Fish Eagle, while other possibilities include Shikra, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, White-headed Vulture, the scarce but extremely attractive African Cuckoo-Hawk, Southern Ground Hornbill by Markus Lilje Black-chested and Brown Snake Eagles, Lesser Spotted, Steppe, Crowned and Booted Eagles, African Hawk-Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Dark Chanting Goshawk and Amur Falcon. Day 4, 3 rd November: Skukuza area, Kruger National Park. Our base here in the southern part of the park is situated on the banks of the Sabi River, where the huge Sycamore Fig and Sausage Trees that tower over the camp attract some brilliant birds. Included in this suite of species are African Green Pigeon with its lovely, mournful, liquid call, the tiny Little Sparrowhawk, African Goshawk, gaudy Purple-crested Turaco, Red-headed Weaver, Black-headed Oriole, the showy African Paradise Flycatcher, Arrow-marked Babbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Green-backed Camaroptera, iridescent Collared, Marico, White-bellied, Amethyst and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, and the vocal Black-collared and Crested Barbets. The Skukuza area is also famous for regular sightings of the rare African Wild Dog, while we stand a reasonable chance of finding the endangered White Rhinoceros and, with exceptional

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 5 luck, its rarer cousin, the Black Rhinoceros. It is also arguably the best area in the park to see the crepuscular Leopard, certainly one of the world s best-looking cats! In addition, we should encounter Lion, Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal, large herds of African Elephant lounging in the Sabi River, herds of African Buffalo, Common Waterbuck, the beautiful Common Bushbuck and pods of Hippopotami. The persistent troops of playful Chacma Baboon and Vervet Monkey will keep us entertained during the heat of the day. Scouring the riverine woodland and thickets along the Sabi River, we hope to encounter Golden-tailed, Bearded and Cardinal Woodpeckers, Ashy Flycatcher, gorgeous White-browed and Red-capped Robin-Chats, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied and Sombre Greenbuls, African, Jameson s and Red-billed Firefinches, superb Green-winged Pytilia, Red-faced Cisticola and Southern Boubou. The large riparian trees lining the rivers provide perfect nesting sites for weavers, which are extremely well represented in the park and include Southern and Lesser Masked, Village, Spectacled and Thick-billed Weavers. Furthermore, we will endeavour to see various species of brightly coloured bee-eaters, kingfishers, rollers and hornbills, along with the occasional Pearl-spotted Owlet, a diurnal owl with a lovely, characteristic call. The park s numerous large rivers and wetlands harbour a number of exciting water-associated birds and we will be on the lookout for the massive Goliath Heron, stately and severely threatened Saddle-billed Stork as well as the commoner Woolly-necked and Yellow-billed Storks, African Spoonbill, the unique and monotypic Hamerkop, Wire-tailed and Greyrumped Swallows, White-crowed Lapwing and, if we are lucky, the rare African Finfoot or unpredictable Greater Painted-snipe. Saddle-billed Stork by Markus Lilje While in the south of the park there are also opportunities for optional sunset drives. Success on these sunset drives here varies greatly, but the list of possibilities is rather impressive and includes a good number of owls and nightjars, as well as Bronze-winged Courser, both Smallspotted and Blotched Genets, Lesser and Greater Galagos, White-tailed Mongoose, Scrub Hare, the incomparable Porcupine, African Wild Cat, African Civet, Serval and Spotted Hyena in addition to the other big game! Day 5, 4 th November: Kruger National Park to Wakkerstroom. We will spend our morning birding around our camp before bidding farewell to the splendours of Kruger. We then move inland to the Highveld and onto the country village of Wakkerstroom for a two-night stay. This quaint village is surrounded by pristine upland grasslands rich in endemic birds, many of which are currently threatened by the ongoing destruction of their grassland habitat. We should arrive in time to spend a portion of the afternoon birding the highly productive Wakkerstroom marsh at the edge of town. This is a haven for waterbirds and offers the chance of a number of uncommon or localised species. Purple Heron, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler, African Swamphen, South African Cliff an white-throated Swallows, Levaillant s Cisticola, White-throated Swallow by Markus Lilje Lesser Swamp Warbler and Cape Weaver are all regular and, with luck, we may find African Snipe and African

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 6 Rail. Rarely recorded species seen here on our previous trips include the elusive Baillon s Crake and Red-chested Flufftail. Day 6, 5 th November: Wakkerstroom area. Driving along the network of dirt roads radiating out from Wakkerstroom, we will explore the grasslands, rocky outcrops and gorges of this unique area in search of numerous endemics such as Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Crane, Blue Korhaan and White-bellied Bustard (the latter is sometimes treated as a separate species, Barrow s Korhaan), Ground Woodpecker, the rare and localised Botha s and Rudd s Larks (the latter considered one of the world s most endangered larks), Pink-billed, and the recently split Eastern Long-billed and Eastern Clapper Larks, Mountain Wheatear, Sentinel Rock Thrush, African Rock and Yellow-breasted Pipits, African Pied Starling, Yellow-crowned Bishop, African Quail-Finch and Cape Canary. Both Red-winged and Grey-winged Francolins are fairly common in the moist grasslands and we may find coveys feeding at the roadside or sunning themselves at dawn. Some of the farms in the area around Wakkerstroom support populations of the peculiar Black Wildebeest (also known by its less-used English name of White-tailed Gnu) and Blesbok, whilst smaller mammals occurring in the grasslands include Yellow Mongoose and the rare Cape Fox. One of the other interesting denizens of these grasslands is the curious Suricate, or Meerkat, immortalised in Walt Disney s Lion King. We have a good chance of finding family groups of these unusual animals. Day 7, 6 th November: Wakkerstroom to Johannesburg for departure. After some final early morning birding around camp we will drive to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg where the trip will conclude. Financial Arrangements: The fee for the Kruger and Wakkerstroom tour is as follows: Southern Bald Ibis by Adam Riley 6 participants - ZAR 27,750.00 per person sharing (approx. US$ 2,525.00 per person sharing) Single supplement - ZAR 2,622.00 (approx. US$ 240.00) NOTE ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS: The tour price does NOT include cost of the one-way domestic flight from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport near Nelspruit on day 1. However, we are able to make this flight reservation on your behalf. At this point, the estimated cost per person for the flight is ZAR 2,750.00 (approx. US$ 250.00 per person). This includes: All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 7; 6 night s accommodation on a sharing basis; Ground transportation in a Toyota Quantum or similar & related fuel costs; Transfer from Cape Town city bowl to Cape Town International Airport on day 1; All reserve entrance fees and conservation fees as required by itinerary;

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 7 Gratuities for local guides, hotel staff and waitrons and Guiding services & costs of a Rockjumper leader. The tour fee does not include: Visa fees; ANY international or domestic flights (and associated taxes) see note above; Any drinks; Trip Insurance; Special gratuities and Gift shop purchases, telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature. IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we now quote our tours in the currency pertaining directly to the particular destination. The tour prices and single supplement rates are fixed only in the currency printed in bold (ZAR South African Rand), and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 3 months before the tour). Approximate domestic flight (where applicable) costs have been quoted in ZAR but these are not fixed and may change at the time of ticketing. b) These costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. c) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Special Notes: Much of our time is spent in vehicles, as we do have to cover fairly long distances in order to get to the best areas for birds and animals. The more luggage you pack the less room there is in the vehicle, so it is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg for check in luggage and 8kg for hand luggage. A related issue is that in all areas that contain potentially dangerous animals, you are confined to the vehicle and are, quite understandably, not allowed to exit. Crime is problematic in certain areas of South Africa. Exercise caution as you would for any big city where crime exists. Do not unnecessarily flaunt cash and valuables and do not leave valuables exposed in the vehicle. Arrival and Departure details: This tour does not include any international or domestic airfares. The tour will begin with a transfer to Cape Town International Airport on the morning of day 1 in order for you to connect with a domestic flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport near Nelspruit. You will be met upon arrival in Nelspruit by your Rockjumper guide and will then drive to the Kruger National Park. Further meeting details in this regard will be forwarded to you in due course. The tour will conclude by late afternoon/early evening on day 7 at OR Tambo International Airport. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office. Flights: King Shaka International Airport as well as Johannesburg and Cape Town are well serviced by all of the world s major airlines. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. If you

WSC Kruger & Wakkerstroom Itinerary 2015 8 would like further assistance kindly contact the Rockjumper office. However, please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour. Rockjumper Birding Tours CC Worldwide Birding Adventures Registration number 2001/059480/23 PO Box 13972, Cascades, 3202, South Africa Tel: +27 33 394 0225 Tel (USA & Canada toll-free): 1-888-990-5552 Fax: +27 88 033 394 0225 Email: private@rockjumperbirding.com Alternative email: rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com