10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2021

One in November 2018 included a one-day birding trip in the Drakensberg area, a mountain range in the border area between South Africa and Lesotho. Pretty pointless, I guess, if it wasn’t for the birds – though it seems some tourists take the same tour just to get the Lesotho stamp into their passport.

South Africa 231

South Africa Africa Lesotho Nigeria 231

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2013

Albeit currently a rugged 4×4-only road, Sani Pass is the most accessible route from KwaZulu-Natal into the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. However, the great birding experience that is Sani starts lower down. The final southern African stronghold of this species is the high Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho.

Lesotho 168

Lesotho Africa Birds Rats 168

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

This immature Verreaux’s Eagle-owl was one of the first birds I saw at Kruger, on the introductory afternoon ride through the park. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls are amongst the heaviest and longest owls in the world. The small group was a good counterpart to the large, convivial ABA Safari group of 98 birders.

South Africa 253

South Africa Africa Leopards Penguins 253

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Sometimes they have to protect their catches from piratic African Fish Eagles who swoop down as soon as they that see a Saddle-bill has successfully caught a fish. It is quite a sight to experience hundreds of Abdim’s Stork dropping out of the skies from seemingly thin air, to gorge on burnt or fleeing insects and rodents.

Africa 239

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 239