Compare South Africa: Kruger & Drakensberg by Limosa Holidays vs Cycling the Drakensberg & Kruger by Exodus Travels

Days 1 – 2: Fly Johannesburg, Travel To Central Drakensberg

Our spring birdwatching tour to South Africa begins with a flight from London to Johannesburg, where we arrive on the morning of day two. We’ll be welcomed by Alastair and travel south on an excellent highway through the highveld grasslands, stopping to enjoy Long-tailed Widowbirds as they display, while Black-winged Kites and Blacksmith Plovers watch on.

Our total drive time today will be 3-4 hours, but we’ll pause along the way for lunch. Later, we'll detour down some minor roads through the natural grasslands, where we’ll begin our search for three species of crane. The elegant Blue Crane is South Africa’s national bird and occurs in small flocks here; Grey Crowned Cranes prefer moist grasslands and, with luck, we might find the very rare Wattled Crane in it’s wetland home. We’ll also keep a look out for bustards and could chance upon the exquisite Blue Bustard here. Larks might include Spike-heeled, Eastern Long-billed and perhaps even a Botha’s or Pink-billed.

Arriving at our country hotel accommodation we'll take dinner and get an early night in eager anticipation of the following day. Night at a Harrismith country hotel.

Day 3: Central Drakensberg

This morning we take one of the highest roads in Southern Africa, up into the Drakensberg peaks and visit a particularly scenic area known as the Sentinel. Here, at 3000m above sea level and surrounded by the most sweeping views, we’ll search for an enigmatic bird believed to be amongst the most ancient of passerines: the endemic Drakensberg Rockjumper, far removed here from its more rufous seaside relative found near Cape Town.

We’ll also keep a watchful eye on the skies for another high alpine speciality, Lammergeier (here of the endemic African subspecies), as well as the near-endemic Cape Griffon, a large vulture that is much chunkier than the African White-backed Vultures we’ll see later in Kruger National Park. Southern Bald Ibis, Black Stork, Verreaux’s Eagle, Lanner and Jackal Buzzard are among other cliff-nesting species we could encounter today, with White-necked Raven, Buff-streaked Chat and Cape Rock Thrush also likely, and Malachite and Greater Double-collared Sunbirds busying themselves in flowering shrubs.

We’ll devote most of the day to exploring this fascinating area, retreating to lower altitude in the afternoon to resume our search for cranes, raptors and bustards. Night at a Harrismith country hotel.

Days 4 – 5: wakkerstroom

Leaving the Harrismith area we wind our way through the scenic foothills towards Wakkerstroom, with a chance to look for specialities such as the little-known Bush Blackcap en route. Once a sleepy hamlet in a forgotten part of the country, the presence of a range of rare birds nearby has propelled Wakkerstroom into the international birding limelight. Its grassland specialities, such as the localised Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks and the beautiful Yellow-breasted Pipit, are a major draw.

We’ll spend two nights here, exploring the excellent wetland at the edge of town and enjoying some very productive drives into the surrounding hills. In addition to those species mentioned already, we’ll be searching for Red-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Denham’s and Blue Bustards, Grey Crowned and Blue Cranes, Black-winged Lapwing, Southern Bald Ibis, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Buff-streaked Chat and Drakensberg Prinia. We might even be lucky enough to spot a group of endearing Meerkats as they forage in the grasslands. Simples! Two nights in a small hotel in Wakkerstroom.

Days 6 – 9: Kruger National Park

We spend much of day six driving from Wakkersroom to our next destination: world famous Kruger National Park. As we head north and east, we’ll descend from the rolling upland grasslands into the warmer lowlands, where the whole landscape takes on a distinctly more tropical feeling.

Entering Kruger in the south, we’ll enjoy a stay of four nights in the park, divided between two restcamps located in the southern and central areas. We’ll focus our attention on a series of small side roads that have proved good in the past, as well as following up on recent reports around the Pretoriuskop, Skukuza, Lower Sabie and Satara areas of the national park.

The vast Kruger reserve is one of Africa’s best known safari parks, protecting a 20,000 km2 swathe of wilderness that boasts an impressive diversity of mammals and a bird list in excess of 500 species. In addition to a high diversity of woodland birds, Kruger is a vital refuge for a host of large birds which require extensive areas of prime habitat to ensure their survival - among them the striking Saddle-billed Stork; Hooded, African White-backed, Lappet-faced and White-headed Vultures; Tawny and Martial Eagles; Bateleur; African Finfoot; Kori Bustard and the lumbering Southern Ground Hornbill. Other species with limited distribution in Southern Africa to look for here include Lesser Black-winged Lapwing, Stierling’s Wren-warbler, Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin and Meve’s Long-tailed Starling.

To make the most of our stay at Kruger we’ll make early starts, heading out on wildlife drives at dawn and returning to base again for breakfast in classic safari fashion. Afterwards, we may continue with another drive or take some time to sample the bird-rich habitats found within the camps themselves. These can be extremely productive, with the likes of Brown-headed Parrot, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Purple-crested Turaco, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Greater Blue-eared Starling and Red-headed Weaver present in many of the camps. Chinspot Batis and Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu are common, while upright Groundscraper Thrushes hop about the lawns.

Our wildlife drives should produce an excellent variety of birds, including many birds of prey - from the large eagles such as Tawny and Martial, to the smaller Black-breasted Snake Eagle and Bateleur. Vultures are drawn to predator kills and here include the common African White-backed and the massive and somewhat grotesque looking Lappet-faced. Swainson’s, Natal, Coqui, Crested and Shelley’s Francolins are all possible and best seen along the edge of the road before they scuttle off into the grass. Perhaps the most ubiquitous bird in the park is the stunning Lilac-breasted Roller and there never seem to be enough photo stops for this appealing species. Groups of the social Southern Ground Hornbill can often be seen wandering along the Kruger’s roads, allowing one to admire their red facial skin and delicate eyelashes!

Burchell’s and Cape Glossy Starlings are common, and Saddle-billed Storks and White-headed Lapwings frequent sand bars in the larger rivers where we’ll carefully search the overhanging waterside vegetation for the secretive African Finfoot. The taller trees along the rivers offer good raptor perches and also host noisy groups of Retz’s Helmetshrikes; if we are lucky, we may also come across their brood parasite, the scarce Thick-billed Cuckoo. Gorgeous White-fronted Bee-eaters like to perch here, too.

While the birding is brilliant, the Kruger is perhaps even more famous for its large mammals. Impala, Common Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and Giraffe are common. African Elephant can be found in big herds, as can African Buffalo - we’ll check carefully for Red-billed Oxpeckers on the latter. The park supports a good population of Lion and we’ll be exploring some of the best drives in the park for this species, hoping for some more memorable encounters to rival those on our previous visits here.

If we are really lucky, we might spot a Leopard, but although the southern reaches of the park are one of the best areas to see this elusive animal in South Africa, it is still far from guaranteed! There are a number of packs of African Wild Dogs in the area that we will be traversing and though we’ll keep a watchful eye open for them, it will be a matter of luck if we see them on our travels.

One of the highlights of the park is the option to take a night drive on two of our days. Here we’ll go out in the large, wildlife-viewing park vehicle, equipped with powerful spotlights. One never quite knows what to expect but we usually find something really interesting - whether it is a pride of lions on the hunt, a Spotted Eagle Owl perched beside the road or a courser running along the track ahead of the vehicle.

In all, we spend a total of four nights in Kruger National Park, split between two nights at each of two rest camps located in the southern and central areas of the vast national park. Four nights Kruger NP

Days 10 – 11: Northern Drakensberg Forests

Leaving the Kruger, we head west and back into the hills to visit a very different habitat. Our first stop will be on the Drakensberg escarpment itself, where we’ll pause at a dramatically beautiful mountain pass to scan for one of the world’s rarest raptors: Taita Falcon. The birds breed on an inaccessible cliff but are often active and we’ll wait at a vantage point nearby, hoping to see this attractive, orange-coloured falcon hunting overhead or perched on the cliff face.

Continuing further inland, our drive taking us along the edge of the Blyde River Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon, where the vistas are nothing short of spectacular. Our remote and luxurious hotel, where we will spend the last two nights of our tour, borders a secluded patch of Afromontane forest. We can simply walk directly into the forest from our rooms and will spend the following day here exploring the forest on the excellent trail network and surrounding areas.

Endemic Knysna Turacos call from the forest canopy and with patient scanning we should see the bright red wing flashes as the birds move between patches of fruiting trees, competing with Blue Monkeys for the ripest fruits. In the understorey, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat and Barratt’s Scrub Warbler betray their presence with their calls, while the lovely Narina Trogon may be seen hawking from a liana beneath the canopy. Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Cape Batis, Olive Woodpecker and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler are conspicuous members of feeding parties moving through the trees. Along the forest edge, we'll check for Red-necked Francolin, Black Saw wing, African Dusky Flycatcher, Swee Waxbill and Forest Canary. Bushbuck and Blue Monkey also inhabit the forest and Mountain Reedbuck may be seen on the grassy slopes. Two nights Mt. Sheba

Day 12: Return To Johannesburg, Fly London

After enjoying some final birding at Mount Sheba this morning, reluctantly we must return to Johannesburg today. We will make some stops for birds along the way, as travel time allows. Saying farewell to Alastair at Johannesburg airport, we board our evening flight to London.

Day 13: Arrival London

Morning arrival at London Heathrow, where our birdwatching tour to South Africa: Kruger & Drakensburg concludes.

Day 1 Start Johannesburg; transfer to Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Upon arrival in Johannesburg we drive directly to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Maluti Mountains of the Northern Free State. This transfer takes roughly 5 hours but will be broken up with stops along the route for bathroom breaks and to stretch the legs. The Golden Gate national park gets its name from the golden hue on the parks sandstone cliffs as the sun hits them. With 11,600 hectares of highland habitat, the national park is home to a number of animals including springbok, mountain zebra and wildebeest as well as the rare bearded vulture and bald ibis. Depending on the time of the group flights, we will either set up the bikes this afternoon or tomorrow morning. We will have a chance to test them out around the grounds of the accommodation before we begin the cycling. Accommodation: Glen Reenen Rest Camp (or similar)

Day 2 Ride over a spectacular mountain pass with a chance of spotting wildlife; transfer to Northern Drakensberg and cycle to our lodge

Getting up early, we cycle 15mi (25km) on roads through the national park. We start with a short climb to a viewpoint where mountain zebras are often spotted before descending a long, winding mountain pass. Later in the ride, we take a few short, steep up-and-down sections to get our hearts pumping before it levels out. All along this road there are great opportunities to see wildlife from the saddle so make sure you have a camera to hand. At the park exit, we transfer towards the Northern Drakensberg (37mi/60km) stopping at the vulture restaurant for views over the Sterkfontein Dam and an early picnic lunch. We then get back on the bikes and cycle down the Oliviershoek pass all the way to the Sungubala lodge, our overnight stay. Here we have the whole night to take in the stunning view of the Amphitheatre, a spectacular 3mi (5km) long vertical cliff face, while enjoying a meal cooked by the guides. Accommodation: Sungubala Eco Camp (or similar)

Day 3 Cycle to the Northern Berg before hiking and a chance to swim at a waterfall

In the morning, we cycle towards the Drakensberg mountains while following a backroad route into the Royal Natal National Park in the Northern Berg. This ride is fairly undulating but the views of the Amphitheatre at the top of each rise are well worth the effort. After entering the park, we continue on our bikes for approximately 1.2mi (2km) to our picnic spot – before lunch we can change into our swimwear and walk the short distance to a waterfall for a well-deserved swim in the cool waters. After lunch, we have time to explore the park and hiking trails or relax before transferring back to our accommodation. Accommodation: Sungubala Eco Camp (or similar)

Day 4 Transfer to Dundee; afternoon ride to Rorke's Drift Museum

We leave the Drakensberg after breakfast with a transfer (130mi/210km; approximately three hours) by road to Dundee. Here we have time for a little shopping and to resupply before continuing onto Rorke's Drift. At Rorke’s Drift, we have a guided tour around the area where 150 British and Colonial troops defended a small garrison against a near-5,000-strong Zulu force. After a hearty lunch and a change into cycling kit, it’s back onto our bikes for a 28mi (45km) ride from Rorke’s Drift to our overnight accommodation. This is a great ride through the scenic cattle country; the first 10.5mi (17km) is on a good-quality compact-dirt road, where we often spot many types of vulture and eagle flying overhead. Once back on the paved road, we have a flat ride to our accommodation where we can relax in the pool. Accommodation: Amabutho Warrior Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 Transfer to Badplaas before getting on the bikes for a great ride to our lodge

We have an early morning transfer (186mi/300km; about four hours) towards the hot springs town of Badplaas in the Mpumalanga province. After lunch, we get on the bikes and start our ride with a fantastic 10.5mi (17km) descent before an undulating route to our accommodation just outside town with views of the Hlumu mountains. Accommodation: Badplaas Forever Resort (or similar)

Day 6 Transfer followed by a scenic ride on edge of the Songimvelo Game Reserve and onto our lodge

We start with a short transfer to Maanhaar, close to the border with Swaziland. From here, we climb on the bikes and ride along a gravel road winding between the Songimvelo Nature Reserve and the base of the Hlumu mountains. We pass an abandoned mine; it’s now home to vervet monkeys, so make sure you have your camera ready. As the road starts to climb, we hop in the bus and transfer to the top of a mountain range overlooking the Songimvelo Nature Reserve. We stop on this road for a quick photo at a viewpoint overlooking the valley below before getting back on the bikes to cycle into Barberton town and onto our accommodation. Accommodation: African Rest Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Cycle to Kruger National Park through the Kaap River Valley

After breakfast, we get on the bikes and start our ride through the Kaap River Valley as it winds towards Kaapmuiden. After about 31mi (50km), we reach our stopping point and get in the van for a short transfer to a shopping centre where we can change out of our cycling kit and stock up on cold drinks and snacks for Kruger. From here, we have a very short transfer to the Malelane Gate where we enter Kruger National Park and start our safari. We have a two-hour game drive through the southern tip of the park to Skukuza Camp. Keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready: the southern part of Kruger is known for being home to an abundance of big cats. Accommodation: Kruger National Park Camp (or similar)

Day 8 Game drives in Kruger National Park

We have an early start to beat the heat of the day and maximise our chances of seeing a predator. Because of the early start, we only have a small breakfast at the camp, which consists of a South African rusk and coffee. After several hours watching animals, we pause in one of the designated lunch spots where our guides cook us a delicious brunch. From here, we continue our game drive back to camp and have the rest of the day to relax in the pool or at the bar, which overlooks the Sabi River. Tonight, we can go on a night safari in one of the official safari vehicles (this is an optional extra and should be paid for locally. Please see the optional activities section in the Trip Notes for prices and further information). Accommodation: Kruger National Park Camp (or similar)

Day 9 More game viewing, transfer to Hazyview

We aim to spend most of today in the national park searching for animals, and once again start with a morning game drive, but in the opposite direction to yesterday. We return to camp for brunch and to collect our bags before our final game drive in Kruger as we leave the park via the Numbi Gate. From here, we have a short transfer to our overnight accommodation in Hazyview, where we can stroll down to Hippo River or relax by the pool. Accommodation: Gecko Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 Cycle to Sabie and onto Graskop; visit Mac Mac Pools

After a few days of well-earned rest, we get back on the bikes for the most challenging ride of the trip. After a hearty breakfast in Hazyview, we cycle from our lodge up the escarpment and towards Sabie. This first part of the ride is stunning and very different from what we have seen earlier in the tour as our route takes us through avocado plantations and dense forests before arriving in Sabie where we can stop at a cafe for a coffee milkshake and muffin. From Sabie, we continue to climb until we arrive at Mac Mac Pools, where we stop for a swim in the natural pools while our guides make lunch. After food, our ride heads downhill for a visit to Mac Mac Falls and continues to Graskop and our accommodation overlooking the escarpment. Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Day 11 Ride along the Panorama Route to God's Window via Bourke's Luck Potholes; afternoon ride to Blyde River Canyon

Our final day of cycling takes us through more beautiful scenery as we cycle along the Panorama Route. In the morning, we visit God’s Window to take in the breathtaking landscape before cycling past Wonder View and to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. We stop for lunch here and walk around the curious rock formations before getting back on the bikes for the last time and cycling to the spectacular viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon and to our accommodation. For our last night in South Africa, we have a group meal in the hotel restaurant, which has an amazing view of the three Rondavels and the canyon. Accommodation: Blyde River Canyon Forever Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Drive to Johannesburg, end

After a leisurely breakfast and a short walk to the private viewpoint within the grounds of our accommodation, we get in the bus and transfer through the small towns of Ohrigstad, Lyndenburg and Dullstroom as we return to Johannesburg Airport. This transfer is roughly 260mi (420km) but we break it up with plenty of short stops and a longer lunch break. Please note, due to the often-high levels of traffic surrounding Johannesburg, we leave our accommodation with plenty of time to complete this transfer. This does mean that on some occasions when the roads are traffic free, we might arrive at the airport early.