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Ok right, now we can add Birding walks to the already discussed drives...

IMO and most birders will agree that one birds much better whilst on foot. Driving is good, but sometimes you miss that bird that flies overhead or the raptor circling the sky, it also makes it much more difficult to get the various bird calls that go about as the car sometimes drowns the noise.

Unless you drum up enough support to book a whole 8-seater... I am sure you'll be able to arrange something then...



Another YES. But I want to elaborate... I would love to see a guided walk along the Luvuvhu, similar to what they do at Olifants, maybe starting from and ending at the Pafuri picnic spot...

He'd be purrfect as a guide though (especially if he passes the ranger skills bit about being able to protect my body with a rifle)...

About on-foot photography... it is a moot point considering what we are talking about now as there is no way of getting to these places (Olifants River walk and the proposed Luvuvhu walk) in any sort of a vehicle... But generally speaking, if you can get everyone in a birding party to stay while you stalk and you make your movements slow, quietly and deliberate, birds will remain put for amazingly close encounters.

I was just thinking about bird drives, when I found this thread.

I have found the field guides do point out owls, nightjars etc on the later drives but don't really concentrate on birds on the daytime drives (understandable).

A daytime drive, with an experienced birder, would be wonderful.

I am fairly knowledgeable on birds and have done a LBJ course, but would still like to go out with someone who really knows his/her birds.We have just about cracked the raptors - with a few guesses, but the LBJs are still a problem. An experienced birder would really help!!

I know outside people offer birding weekends in KNP but they become a bit pricey. I'm sure there would be takers for a birding drive, say alternate days or so.

I would just like to question why there is no additional effort being put into "avitourism" especially in the Kruger Park, where there are about 500 species of birds to find and see. In the latest July 2012 Africa Birds and Birding magazine, Peter Borchert mentions that as there are so many birds to see, it could be a serious money spinner for SANParks to promote the avitourism possibilities in the Kruger by supplying qualified bird guides within the rest camps as well as in the greater park, as well as erecting additional bird hides.

As an avid bird photographer and regular visitor to the Kruger, I can attest to the lack of facilities geared towards birding. Lake Panic hide is a prime example of the number of visitors interested in the local birdlife and I have never seen the "Lake Panic" hide empty, and usually people have to wait for places to sit and view.

It would be appreciated if SANParks and any other interested parties commented on this post as I honestly feel that this opportunity is going to waste, especially the lack of additional bird hides at rivers/water holes etc.

Micheal, thank you very much for your post.

I know the Honorary Rangers do a few birding tours. They are often snapped up very quickly. I certainly agree that this is a birders paradise.

Lawsons advertised/did birding tours decades ago , but I don't know if they still do. Best is to join one of the birding, ornithology clubs/societies and west rand honourary rangers do avitourism and courses.

I know that this is a bit off topic but I would love to see a few more (like 2 maybe) in the Kruger...

Hi Micheal

KNP zonation System

I saw a birdie today.

Maybe some of the game viewing vehicle operators can exploit this need.

I have to agree with MichaelM. Much more can be done to encourage "avitourism".

E.g. in all the many night drives that I have participated in, only one (at Punda Maria) was done by a guide/ranger who had any interest in birds and who went out of her way to allow the birders on the drive to look at owls and night jars. The worst experience was at Satara, where the driver (I don't want to call him a "guide" or "ranger" with his lack of interest in the wildlife), drove off when he heard that we called "stop" to look at an owl or night jar . Most are in-between - where the guide will allow a minute or two to look at a bird, but then drive off because he himself has no interest.

Dabchick, you have brought up a very important point. There is a need and training is essential.

There has been a very mixed response on the Sanparks tourist questionairre, but this is exactly the kind of information that is needed for future planning.

I don't know if you get anything bigger than SANP's Big Birding Weekends. Now if that is not pure avitourism then I don't know.