This tour is different from a typical Tropical Birding tour. It focuses almost entirely on the interests of the photographer, particularly the photographer that is interested in bird and natural history photography. While other tours focus deliberately on seeing as many bird species as possible, this tour will try to get the group as many unique and interesting photographic opportunities as possible. Emphasis will probably mostly be on making sure each person can return home with a bevy of fantastic wildlife images, caught in the stunning atmosphere that is only found in Africa. While we will be trying to maximise the “number” of photographic experiences we will more likely be spending quality time at amazing places such as Penguin colonies, bird blinds and amongst a pride of lions. The intention is to find, and then make sure there is ample opportunity to capture these moments. This tour will also run with a maximum of six participants, which will provide for excellent service and comfort and given two leaders 100% personalised care. As an initial trip this is likely to be one of the best value for money photography tours on the world market.

We will be using a larger vehicle than usual so that photographers can spread out and have all their equipment at hand, and also each person will have enough room, entirely unencumbered, to make the most of the amazing wildlife opportunities. 

The tour will be co-led by two photographers. Keith Barnes (an owner of Tropical Birding) has realised that bird and wildlife photography is a passion that he simply has to indulge, and as a native of South Africa and leader of over 60 birding tours and other adventures through the country, there can be no-one better to get you to the finest places for photography in the country. Keith will be primarily responsible for the logistics and Chris Fagyal (www.avianphotos.org) will be joining the tour as well. Chris has travelled extensively in Central and South America, and helped co-lead a Hummingbird Photography workshop during 2006 in Ecuador. His passion for wildlife and nature is equalled only by his passion for photography and this will the first of his dedicated photography tours. 

While not designed as a teaching workshop, there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion on lighting, composition, flash, camera technique, and the digital darkroom, etc. Our goal is to put you in the proper place, at the proper time with the best light possible, to help you capture the magical and mystical world of the African Savannah and all of its fantastic wildlife, in images.

Introduction
South Africa is a mega-diversity country. In the southwest, it contains two habitats found nowhere else in the world, the heath-like fynbos, and the semi-desert Karoo. Both these systems hold a host of endemic species; South Africa has 58 endemic and near-endemic birds, more than any other African country, most of which will be seen on our safari, making it an indispensable destination for birders. Included are sensational birds such as the African Penguin, Blue Crane, Cape Rockjumper, a suite of small endemic bustards, the African Black Oystercatcher, Knysna Turaco and at least 30 species of endemic larks and chats.

In the northeast of the country, South Africa metamorphoses into bush and savannah vegetation similar to that in East Africa, and here species diversity increases dramatically, with possibilities of hundreds of species a day. In this area spectacular species include a host of storks and vultures, spectacular raptors and a host of bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, sunbirds, iridescent starlings, waxbills and bush-shrikes. To go along with the incredible bird diversity of South Africa is the amazing selection of mammals, with all the big 5 present in Kruger, and a huge variety of antelope present in Kruger as well as in areas around the Cape Peninsula. The endemics and near-endemics of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are marked with an asterisk*.

Day 1: The Cape Peninsula. Covering a range of habitats, this day offers a comprehensive introduction to the diversity of wildlife in the Western Cape framed within the scenic splendour of the whole Cape Peninsula. The peninsula, a spectacular 1 km high and 70 km long mass of sandstone mountains, shelters the city of Cape Town and is constantly pummelled by one of the stormiest oceans in the world. We begin our day at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, skirting the slopes of Table Mountain, a mega diversity sandstone monolith holding more species of flowering plants than the British Isles. Here we will see and photograph at close quarters a spectacular cocktail of Cape fynbos endemics, such as Orange-breasted Sunbird*, Cape Sugarbird*, Cape Siskin*, Cape Bulbul* and Cape Francolin*. Most of the species are very tame here and we can expect to get some super photos. We will take a leisurely stroll through the cultivated indigenous gardens, which are the perfect place to acquaint oneself with some of the most stunning "fynbos" families, and at the same time soak up some staggering endemics - which are remarkably tame here. We will also search for the skulking Grassbird, Lesser Double-collared Sunbird, Karoo Prinia and Grey-backed Cisticola.  The gardens also allow a look at many of the wonderfully sculpted Proteas; pastel painted Erica’s and chiselled restios that make the Western Cape globally famous, offering some fabulous macro photography opportunities for those whom are interested. We then wind along the spectacular Ou Kaapse Weg pass on our way to Kommetjie, where we will stop to look for Benguela (the cold-water current of South African and Namibia) endemic seabirds, including African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaub's Gull, Bank, Crowned and Cape cormorants. Three-banded, Blacksmith and White-fronted Plovers are also possible along the sandy shoreline.  Hopefully the birds will be close by and we can expect to get some nice photos here, both of the spectacular scenery as well as the birds themselves.

We continue to follow the scenic coastline via Misty Cliffs and Scarborough to the entrance of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Here we will search for more fynbos specials and a few more seabirds from the high cliffs at Cape Point, with the added attractions of game viewing and whale watching. We take in this reserve's sensational scenery while looking for more fynbos specials such as Malachite Sunbird, Cape Bishop, Fiscal Flycatcher, as well as additional seabirds and perhaps some Southern Right or Bryde’s Whales whilst we stand on the south western-most point of Africa. The finest of the mammals is the pied endemic Bontebok, but we might also see Chacma Baboon and Eland. Rounding the peninsula to Simonstown, we stop at Boulder's Bay to mingle with a large colony of breeding African Penguins. These photogenic creatures are spectacular, and we can spend as much time as we want soaking up these quizzical critters. Our final stop is the Strandfontein Sewage Works, a series of settling ponds on the northern shores of False Bay, which supports a remarkable variety of waterfowl, including the near-endemic South African Shelduck* and Cape Shoveller* as well as other more common species such as Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, Cape Teal, Southern Pochard, Maccoa Duck, Egyptian Goose and White-backed Duck, and in summer, many waders. We head back to Cape Town for dinner and to overnight.

Day 2: The West Coast. Located approximately 120 km north of Cape Town, southern Namaqualand is famed for its spring (September) flowering displays of many annuals, particularly daisies. The arid and rather bleak terrain is sprinkled with a series of wetlands, which, in the austral summer, hold the greatest densities of shorebirds on the entire eastern Atlantic flyway. In the spectacular Langebaan Lagoon of the West Coast National Park, Palaearctic waders abound, particularly Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Greenshank and Sanderling. Resident shorebirds include African Black Oystercatcher, White-fronted Plover, Common Ringed-Plover, Three-banded Plover, Kittlitz's Plover and the scarce Chestnut-banded Plover. The marshes and sedges are home to African Marsh Harrier as well as skulking palustrine specialists. Here we are lucky in that five great hides are scattered throughout the reserve and we will maximize the light and proximity of the birds depending on the tides at each of these special hides. When the tides do not favour us we will head further north to the Berg River wetlands where more waders and water birds can be found at another hide as well as the salt works in the area. Here we will find flamingos and a series of different species that offer a variety of new photo opportunities. The terrestrial vegetation surrounding the wetlands supports a variety of species that are not easily seen elsewhere. The most absorbing of these are the endemic Black Harrier*, Southern Black Korhaan* and Cape Long-billed Lark*. We head back to Cape Town for dinner and to overnight.

Day 3: Sir Lowry's Pass to De Hoop Nature Reserve. Daybreak will have us scrambling among boulders at the historic Sir Lowry's Pass in the Hottentots Holland Mountains looking for the Cape's most wanted bird, the dazzling and effervescent Cape Rockjumper. Bounding between boulders, the crescendo of their piping whistles pierces the silence as groups whip their cocked tails from side to side - providing many visitors with one of their "most wanted" birds of the trip. A skulking inhabitant of seepage vegetation, the Victorin's Warbler, dubbed "the world's best-looking Bradypterus" will also be targeted. This secretive bird is likely only to be glimpsed as it moves furtively, low down in the bushes, occasionally returning birders' quizzical stares with its sunflower-yellow eye. Other birds at Sir Lowry's include Cape Siskin, Ground Woodpecker, Long-billed Pipit and various rock thrushes. These prefer open areas and are likely to provide us with photo opportunities.

Nestled on the coastal plain, and sheltered by the rugged bastion of the Langeberg Mountains to the north, the Overberg stretches down to Cape Agulhas - the southern most point of Africa. Formerly a series of plains of lowland fynbos, the majority of the original vegetation has been replaced by wheat.  It is not all bad news however, as many interesting birds and particularly rare ones, have adapted remarkably well to the wheat-belt environment.  Parties of stately Blue Cranes stride through the area. Although once rare here, more than 30% of the global population now congregate in this area annually. The golden fields are also home to Stanley’s Bustard, Thick-billed Lark, Agulhas Clapper Lark, and Red-capped Lark and are the only home to the highly range-restricted Agulhas Long-billed Lark. Occasionally Secretary birds, with their powerful striding legs, can be seen pulverizing hapless snakes near the road.  We will stop near the small patches of remaining rhenosterbos (Rhino-bush) and Strandveld to look for the stunning Southern Black and Karoo Korhaans. All these species are normally quite photogenic if we are able to get close to them and we will endeavour to get as close as possible. Winding through the wheat fields we will make our way to De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop, in stark contrast to the wheat belt, encapsulates a unique diversity of natural habitats. This variety includes a rugged coastline, pristine beaches and sand dunes, a wide coastal plain holding remnant fragments of the highly threatened lowland fynbos and a set of bizarre and unique limestone hills which are incised by the 15 km long De Hoop Vlei. The Ramsar-designated vlei is actually a coastal lake, which is often excellent for water birds. Cape Shoveler is one of the 75 species of waterfowl regularly recorded here. The Milkwoods surrounding the lake support Southern Tchagra. An isolated sandstone inselberg called Potberg rises abruptly in the east, surrounded by a sea of wind-derived Aeolian sands. This small inselberg is the only home for several plant species, including two spectacular Proteas and also holds the last Cape Vulture colony (about 30 pairs) in the Western Cape. Other special species amongst the list of 260 at the reserve are Pied Starling, Orange-throated Longclaw, Bokmakierie, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Pied Barbet, Black Harrier, African Black Oystercatcher and eight species of canary. Cape Francolins are extremely tame here and will forage less than a meter away, while the Fiery-necked Nightjars are common around the cottages at night, belting out their crescendo call - one of the most characteristic nocturnal calls of the African veld. Mammals here include the scarce Cape Mountain Zebra, Bontebok and Elandall of which provide excellent photographic opportunities. Overnight in the Overberg on a full board basis.

Day 4: De Hoop Nature Reserve to Cape Town/Johannesburg. The morning will be spent at Potberg Mountain in De Hoop Nature Reserve. Potberg holds the last Cape Vulture* breeding colony in the Western Cape. Other special birds among the list of 260 species recorded for the reserve are Southern Tchagra*, Pied Starling*, Orange-throated Longclaw*, Bokmakierie, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Pied Barbet, Black Harrier*, African Black Oystercatcher and eight species of canary. We return to Cape Town and then fly to Johannesburg in the early evening, where we will overnight. Overnight Johannesburg on a full board basis.

Day 5: Johannesburg to Wakkerstroom. We drive from Johannesburg to the high altitude grasslands of the eastern South African escarpment. Wedged in a large area of agricultural rangelands, unaffected by forestry and people, the area surrounding the small town of Wakkerstroom is the epicenter of a rich endemic bird area, supporting some of the most threatened species in Africa. Here we will search for several threatened endemics such as Rudd’s Lark*, Botha’s Lark* and Yellow-breasted Pipit*. The surrounding grasslands hold more magnificent endemic specialties such as the Southern Bald Ibis*, Orange-throated Longclaw*, South African Cliff Swallow, the elegant Blue Korhaan* whilst the rocky areas support Sentinel Rock Thrush*, Ground Woodpecker* and Buff-streaked Chat*. The wetlands around Wakkerstroom support a host of water birds, including some rarer species such as Marsh and Grass Owls. The rank grasslands around town are home to the magical Long-tailed and Red-shouldered widows. An excellent supporting cast of francolins, cisticola’s, pipits, weavers, bishops and whydahs abound. Many raptors frequent the area and we can expect to see many kites, falcons and kestrels in the area. Given the open nature of the habitat, photographic opportunities abound and we should be well satisfied with a bevy of wonderful photos. We will have dinner and overnight in the Wakkerstroom area.

Day 6: Wakkerstroom to Kruger National Park (Skukuza). We shall spend the morning birding the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Long-Tom via the Abel Erasmus Pass. The pass is the locality of South Africa’s only known pair of breeding Taita Falcons. We shall spend time searching for, and hopefully getting an opportunity to photograph these scarce and diminutive swift-chasing raptors. The escarpment also supports Southern Bald Ibis*, Crowned Eagle, Cape Vulture, and a suite of smaller gems such as Wailing, Croaking, Ayre’s and Fan-tailed Cisticolas as well as Drakensberg Prinia and others. In the afternoon we make our way towards the Kruger National Park. The legendary wilderness of Kruger National Park, replete with its famous Big-5 mammal suite (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros), as well as an impressive 500+ bird species (some 65% of the country’s total!) will most certainly be the highlight of the trip. We will spend the night at Skukuza Camp inside Kruger National Park on a full board basis. A night drive is an optional possibility.

Kruger National Park

Day 7: Skukuza – full day

Day 8: Skukuza to Satara

Day 9:  Satara - Olifants

Day 10: Olifants - Letaba

Day 11: Letaba area – full day

Kruger National Park has a fantastic series of camps, many with tame birds and other tame wildlife that makes for superb viewing and photography opportunities. We will visit Skukuza, Satara, Olifants and Letaba, four of the best camps in the park for photography and with many birds on their grounds. We are likely to see Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Orange-breasted and Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Saddle-billed, Marabou, Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Storks, Trumpeter, yellow-billed and Red-billed Hornbills, White-browed Robin-chat and White-browed Scrub Robin, Scarlet-chested and Marico Sunbird, Kurrichane Thrush, Spotted-backed and Lesser Masked Weaver, Green Pigeon, Crowned Hornbill and Red-billed Buffalo Weaver and Thick-billed Weaver, Blue Waxbill and many others. The grasslands here host Kori Bustard, Montague’s and Pallid Harriers. Some of the camp’s finer resident birds include Red-headed Weaver, Bearded Robin, White-throated Robin and Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling. At night, Pearl-spotted, African Scops or Spotted Eagle Owls may be spotted, or one might be lucky enough to see a Fiery-necked or Pennant-winged Nightjar swoop through the camp. Several owls also frequently roost in the camps, and we will try to find them and photograph them without disturbing their roost.  While looking for birds and mammals we should get great opportunities to photograph the many handsome ungulates in this area including Impala, Greater Kudu, Hartebeest, and Waterbuck and with luck the rarer Sable and Roan, while Warthogs, Vervet Monkeys and Hippopotamus are common. However we shall target encounters with the Big-5, the famed Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros, which Africa is justly famous for. We may also be lucky and encounter the rarer Cheetah or Wild Dog. 

Each day we will rise pre-dawn to be out on the roads at dawn, looking for wildlife and looking to take advantage of the beautiful golden light of the mornings on the African savannah.  After a morning game drive looking for mammals, birds, etc, we will come back to camp for lunch and some “free time” where people can opt to bird around the camp, photograph stuff around camp, head to a hide perhaps or one of the water holes, download/edit/view photos from the morning, or just relax and take a siesta.  Each afternoon we will head out for another game drive until dusk when we must return to the camp before the gates close at dark.

Each of the camps we stay in has water holes right in or next to the camps which provide both photographic opportunities both during the day, and at night.  At night, these water holes are flood lit and a wide variety of species come to drink.  There are also a variety of birding hides around Kruger and several are right near the camps we stay at, which again should provide some good photography opportunities.  We will also attempt to be at good spots each day for sunrise and sunset landscape photography, ensuring that we capture the breathtaking skies of the African savannah.  One of our camps, Olifants, is nestled high upon a small cliff overlooking the park, which should provide for some absolutely breathtaking landscape opportunities.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate (afternoon storms often provide spectacular evening skies) and provide some fabulous sunsets for us.

Day 12: Letaba – Johannesburg via Nylsvley. Our last day on tour is an excellent one, and we are likely to find a host of new species. After an early breakfast we will head to the Nylsvley. The reserve is also home to some fantastic birds including Temminck’s Courser, White-quilled Korhaan, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Barred Warbler, Violet-eared Waxbill and many other bushveld birds. Later in the day we will bird one of the finest ephemeral wetlands in southern Africa. We should finish off with a flurry of water birds and with luck may find a Painted Snipe, Lesser Gallinule or Lesser Moorhen, which occasionally erupt at Nylsvley. We finish off in Johannesburg and the tour will conclude either with a hotel or airport drop-off.

Tour info:

CLIMATE: Generally warm to hot, with afternoon showers likely, and perhaps an evening chill in Wakkerstroom. 

DIFFICULTY: Easy. There will not be any difficult hikes. Much of the birding is from the car.

ACCOMMODATION: Very good throughout.