 South Africa boasts of a rich diversity of bird life. About 850 bird species, of which almost 130 species are endemic, can be found in the country alone, and that definitely makes a trip to South Africa and Southern Africa as a whole, worthwhile for any casual birdwatcher or experienced birder.
There is a variety of top birding destinations in South Africa. Among them are the Kruger National Park, Northern KwaZulu-Natal (coastal and inland areas), Drakensberg (mountain areas), wetlands such as Nylsvlei and Wakkerstroom and the wetlands area near Memel in the Free State Province.
Besides these areas there are the Western Cape coastal region, the Kalahari region, and indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape and near Magoebaskloof and Houtbosdorp in the Limpopo Province, as well as the Marakele National Park, the Waterberg Biosphere and the Soutpansberg area in the Limpopo Province.
Kruger National Park is the pilgrimage place for most birding enthusiasts. The attractions here include Crimson-breasted Shrike, Barred Wren-Warbler, Violet-eared Waxbill, and others.
In Kruger NP you may observe Orange Thrush, Bat Hawk, Yellow-streaked Bulbul, Barratt’s Warbler, and Black-fronted Bush-Shrike. And in Letaba, which is blessed with terrific waterfront birding as well as some of the best game viewing, highlights might include Saddle-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Woodland Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Southern Ground-Hornbill, and immense numbers of bee-eaters, cuckoos, rollers, hornbills, barbets, swallows, babblers, robins, and starlings.
Cape Town waters are regarded as one of the best pelagic spots in the world. There are thousands of seabirds of 15 to 20 species squabbling over scraps behind fishing trawlers.
At the Cape Peninsula you may spend a day searching for fynbos endemics such as Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird and Cape Siskin. At Kommetjie you will view African Black Oystercatcher, as well as Bank, Crowned and Cape cormorants. You may stop at Boulder's Bay to mingle with the African Penguins.
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