The Kruger National park is one of the country’s best destinations to visit as a birder. The reserve is home to more than 550 species of birds, with an extensive road network that allows visitors to self-drive much of the park and see amazing bird and animal sightings.
So, how can one bird Kruger more effectively and make the most of their time in the park?
Here are five tips to better birding in Kruger:
Bird in the camps and picnic sites – Many people love to take those long drives around the park with some good 'padkos' packed for when you stop at the picnic sites. But the camps provide some great birding opportunities. The added benefit of birding in the camps is that you can get closer to the birds, allowing for some amazing photo opportunities. When you stop at the picnic sites to stretch your legs, this is also a great opportunity to do some birding. A good example is that Tshokwane Picnic site is a great spot to see and photograph Mourning Collared Dove.
Take the back dirt roads – The tar roads can get busy, but once you head onto some of the back dirt roads, it is often just you and nature. A few years ago, we saw a pair of cheetahs on a back road. We spent time watching them next to the road until they walked across and disappeared into the long grass. The best part was that we were the only car there. White exploring some of the lesser driven roads, we got a fantastic sighting of a White-backed Night Heron. So the back, quiet roads and full of potential surprises.
Go slow – Slow down and take your time as you drive around. You will see more when you take it slower.
Aircon off and windows down – This may seem like terrible advice in the hotter months, but often, before you see a bird, you will hear it. Keeping the windows open makes you more likely to hear the birds calling alongside the road, allowing for more sightings. When you hear birds calling, even if you don't know which species it is, take the time to find it. This will often lead to you stumbling accross bird parties with multiple species.
Get a sign on your car that says ‘Birding, please pass’ – I don’t know how many times I have stopped to look at a bird, only for someone to stop and ask, "What are you looking at?" A few times, when I told them I was looking at a bird, I got quite an irritated reply. The birding sticker lets others know you are looking for birds – this not only alerts people who aren’t interested but also allows other birders the opportunity to let you know about good sightings they have seen.
Thanks so much to David Weaver and Sue Lawrie for contributing their tips to this article.
Bonus Tip: If you book a night drive, let the driver know that you are a birder. They will often look out for nocturnal birds and stop so you can see them.
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The Roberts Bird Guide to the Greater Kruger National Park is a must get book if you are looking to visit the park (Page 22 has some great tips to help you bird the park) Get your copy here.
We have loads of resources to help you to bird in the Kruger National Park:We have three fantastic podcast episodes on Kruger - A Birders Guide to Kruger, The Ultimate Guide to Birding Northern Kruger, & Roberts Kruger Guide.
Three other articles on Kruger that you will enjoy - Punda Maria Read Camp, The Best Camp in Kruger, Magical Kruger Pt 1, and Magical Kruger Pt 2
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