South Africa | Birding and Wildlife Safari with Tyler Audubon Society

South Africa | Birding and Wildlife Safari with Tyler Audubon Society

About this trip

Join Tyler Audubon Society on this 13-day adventure to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of South Africa, home to amazing scenery, iconic African wildlife, and more than 800 bird species. World-renowned habitats and biological diversity are the focus as you journey from the Highveld grasslands of Mpumalanga province to the cliffs and gorges of the Blyde River Canyon, and through transitional habitats before leveling out in the bush plains of Kruger National Park. Cap off the experience birding in the wetlands, grasslands and forests around Wakkerstroom. This translates to a superb range of avian species to be seen, including many regional and country-specific endemics.

Highlights

  • Explore South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park, one of the continent’s largest game reserves, for the chance to spot nearly 500 bird species, as well as the “Big 5” —  lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros.
  • Seek out Highveld grassland species such as Wing-snapping Cisticola, Eastern Long-billed Lark, and Denham’s Bustard at Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve.
  • Hike the escarpment forest of Mount Sheba and look for area specialties like the Knysna Turaco, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, and Narina Trogon.
  • Marvel at the stunning landscapes of Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, and spot species like antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and more.
  • Explore the grassland around Wakkerstroom and track down scarce inhabitants like Blue Bustard, Secretarybird, and Gray Crowned-Crane, plus the globally threatened Rudd’s Lark and Botha’s Lark.

En route

Apr 14, 2026

Depart the United States for South Africa.

Johannesburg

Apr 15, 2026

Arrive in Johannesburg today. Most participants' flights arrive in the evening. The temperature in South Africa ranges from high 80s to mid-50s in the summer months (December to March), with chances of afternoon thunderstorms. In the winter (June to September), temperatures range from low 60s to mid-30s, with minimal chance of rain. Elevation is 5,600 feet above sea level, with open Highveld Grassland habitats.

Overnight at Africa Sky Guest House

Mount Sheba

Apr 16, 2026

After an early breakfast, load up the vehicle for the drive to Mount Sheba Rainforest Hotel and Resort, which is situated in a beautiful area of escarpment forest. Spend much of the day traveling to the hotel, stopping en route for some birding if time allows and perhaps visiting a small pan (seasonal, rain-filled body of water), where there are opportunities to search for species such as White-backed Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Purple Heron, and Eurasian Moorhen. Then, drive through the unique Highveld town of Dullstroom. Due to its high-elevation location making it the highest village in South Africa, Dullstroom's temperate climate nurtures the only place in the country where beech and elm trees grow. Continue birding your way to Mount Sheba via the beautiful Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve, a highly biodiverse protected wetland where some of the Highveld grassland species to seek out include Wing-snapping Cisticola, Eastern Long-billed Lark, Yellow Bishop, Denham's Bustard, and possibly Yellow-breasted Pipit, Southern Bald Ibis, and Blue Crane. From here, finish the drive with the aim of reaching Mount Sheba late in the afternoon and spend some time relaxing before dinner. Elevation is 5,300 feet, with Afromontane forest and grassland habitats.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Mount Sheba Rainforest Hotel & Resort

Blyde River Canyon

Apr 17, 2026

Wake up early to explore the surrounding escarpment forest on foot. Although the number of species that occur in this habitat type is not as high as in other habitats, several of the species here are unlikely to be seen again anywhere else on this journey. Some of the specialties to look for include Knysna Turaco, Grey Cuckooshrike, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Narina Trogon, Cape Batis, African Crested-Flycatcher, and White-starred Robin. Afterward, have a relaxed breakfast before packing up the gear and driving through to the next destination, situated on the edge of Blyde River Canyon. Encompassing more than 1,100 square miles of protected land, the Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest in the world, along with the likes of the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. Its beauty and magnificence make it one of the most sought-after sites in South Africa. The canyon is home to an impressive variety of species of birds, antelopes, primates, and fish, as well as hippos, crocodiles, and more. Along the way, do some birding in search of species such as Rufous-necked Wryneck, Amethyst Sunbird, Piping Cisticola, and Streaky-headed Seedeater. The aim is to reach Forever Blyde Canyon Resort in the early afternoon to allow for some time to relax during the hottest part of the day before going on a stroll up to a viewpoint overlooking the canyon later in the afternoon. Along the winding paths of the canyon, search for more species like Rock-loving Cisticola, Brimstone Canary, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, and Green-backed Camaroptera. Enjoy watching the sun set over the stunning Blyde River Canyon before returning to the resort for dinner. Elevation is around 3,840 feet, with cliffs and gorges, and forest and thickets habitats.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Forever Resorts

Satara, Kruger

Apr 18, 2026

Start the day off with a birding walk in search of a few more species, including White-throated Robin-Chat, Yellow-fronted Canary, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Familiar Chat, and Striped Pipit. Return to the resort for a relaxed breakfast and some time to pack before departing toward the next spot. Begin the journey to the majestic Kruger National Park and search for species along the way that include Cape Griffon, Cape Rock-Thrush, Mountain Wagtail and, with luck, Taita Falcon. Arrive at the entrance gate of Kruger National Park around mid-day and have some lunch. Spend most of the afternoon driving through to Satara Rest Camp, situated about 30 miles away from the entrance. There are a multitude of new species to encounter in the area that keep travelers distracted during the drive, such as Magpie Shrike, Tawny Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Brown-headed Parrot, and Green-winged Pytillia. Kruger is world-renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity and for being home to the Big Five and many other species like impalas, blue wildebeest, kudus, southern giraffes, and much more. Satara is especially regarded for having an ideal location within Kruger due to its prolific bird life. Elevation ranges from 800 feet at Satara to 1,920 feet at Pretoriuskop, with various habitats that include mainly savanna, with various sub-types such as basalt sweetveld, Sabie River thickets, and Pretoriuskop sourveld.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Satara Rest Camp

Satara, Kruger

Apr 19, 2026

Spend a full day exploring the area around Satara. Focus initially on birding around the northern part of the camp, where it may be possible to spot Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Kori Bustard, Red-crested Bustard, and perhaps also Gabar Goshawk, Sabota Lark, Burnt-necked Eremomela, and African Pipit. Then, return for a late breakfast in the camp, followed by a short birding stroll before taking some time to relax during the hotter parts of the day. Later in the afternoon, head out once again to add a few more species to the list, and hopefully bump into some more of the large mammals in the area, as Satara offers excellent habitat for lions.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Satara Rest Camp

Skukuza, Kruger

Apr 20, 2026

Today we'll start off with a short morning drive in the region to search for more species such as African Green Pigeon, African Harrier Hawk, Grey Tit Flycatcher, Southern Red billed Hornbill and Southern Ground Hornbill, and as always we'll be looking out for the big predators such as Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. We'll then head back to camp for breakfast and to pack up all our gear for the drive through to our next camp, Skukuza, where we'll spend another two nights. The drive there will take much of the rest of the day as we'll be spending our time birding and searching for other wildlife along the way, this 57 mile journey often producing some incredible viewing. We break up the journey around mid-day when we'll stop at Tshokwane picnic site for lunch and a chance to stretch the legs before we continue on to Skukuza, arriving in the late afternoon for some time to relax in camp before dinner.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Skukuza Rest Camp

Skukuza, Kruger

Apr 21, 2026

Explore the area around Skukuza in a similar structure as at Satara; go out during the morning and afternoon, and enjoy some relaxing time back at the camp around mid-day, when activity slows down during the warmer hours of the day. Start by exploring the Sabie River, where there are chances to encounter Red-backed Scrub-Robin, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Ashy Flycatcher, Golden-breasted Bunting, and White-fronted Bee-eater. On the river itself, it may be possible to find White-headed Lapwing, Three-banded Plover, Goliath Heron, and with a fair share of luck, African Finfoot. Return around mid-morning for breakfast. Afterward, spend some time birding in the camp, where Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, White-browed Robin-Chat, and Cape Crombec may all be seen. Take an afternoon drive around the area in the hopes of finding some of the usual thickets species such as Southern Cordonbleu, Red-billed Firefinch, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Natal Spurfowl, and Brubru. Return to the camp just before gates close and in time for a lovely dinner, possibly even spotting a greater galago along the way.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Skukuza Rest Camp

Berg-en-Dal, Kruger

Apr 22, 2026

Wake up early today for a drive to a nearby bird hide, where the hopes are to spot some species like African Darter, Malachite Kingfisher, African Pied Kingfisher, Water Thick-knee and African Jacana. Make the most of the excellent photography opportunities at this location, as hippos often come fairly close to the front of the hide. Spend some time here before returning to the camp for breakfast, perhaps making a quick stop around the Skukuza Indigenous Nursery for some birding. Embark on the journey to your final accommodation in Kruger, Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp, a newer camp located on the banks of Matjulu Spruit that boasts views of the surrounding rocky hillsides. Arrive in the early afternoon, and then head out on a drive with a focus on some target species such as Yellow-bellied Eremomela, African Penduline-Tit, Brown-headed Parrot, Little Bee-eater, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow, and Bush Pipit, before returning to the camp for some more leisure time to get ready for dinner.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Wakkerstroom

Apr 23, 2026

After a short morning exploration around the camp, return for breakfast. Then, begin the journey to Wakkerstroom to spend the last two nights of this trip. Wakkerstroom is world-renowned for its birding, which has helped the town develop significantly over the years due to the interest of visitors from all around the world. It is located in a valley that offers stunning panoramic views and features a myriad of species, from grassland endemics to water and forest birds. En route, there may only be one stop at a grassland area to try and track down the White-bellied Bustard, which is formerly known as Barrow's Korhaan and sometimes treated as a distinct species. Arrive in Wakkerstroom late in the afternoon and have some time to relax and get settled in before dinner. Elevation is 5,700 feet, with mainly high-altitude grassland habitat.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Wetlands Country Lodge

Wakkerstroom

Apr 24, 2026

Today, venture on a morning outing with a packed breakfast to explore the area around Wakkerstroom. Focus on tracking down some of the more elusive species of the northern grassland areas like Blue Bustard, Secretarybird, Grey-winged Francolin, Red-capped Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Blue Crane, Grey Crowned-Crane, and Southern Bald Ibis. Two of the most important species to be on the lookout for are Rudd's Lark and Botha's Lark, which are globally threatened and with populations of fewer than 5,000 each, possibly even as low as 1,500 each. Although the Yellow-breasted Pipit can be tough to track down during the winter months, it may also be possible to encounter it in this area. Return to town around lunch time and enjoy the chance to relax. Then, spend the afternoon birding the wetlands along Wakkerstroom to track down Cape Shoveler, Red-billed Duck, Blue-billed Teal, Spur-winged Goose, African Snipe, African Marsh-Harrier, Little Rush Warbler, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.

Breakfast-Dinner included
Overnight at Wetlands Country Lodge

Departure

Apr 25, 2026

Spend the final morning of this journey on an early birding drive in the region. Search for any outstanding species and, perhaps, find one of the local meerkat mobs before heading back to the lodge for breakfast and departure for Johannesburg. All morning activities on this day depend on departure flight times, as it is a 4-hour drive from Wakkerstroom to the airport.

Breakfast- included

Arrival Home

Apr 26, 2026

Spend overnight in flight and arrive home today.