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 222

South Africa Africa Lesotho Nigeria 222

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. A family of endangered Wattled Cranes might be a highlight of the lower sections of the Sani Pass road, by Adam Riley. Photo by Adam Riley. A lovely male Cape Rock Thrush by Adam Riley .

Lesotho 164

Lesotho Africa Birds Rats 164

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 13, 2011

Drakensberg (or Orange-breasted) Rockjumper is a Drakensberg Mountain species whose range is shared with the tiny landlocked kingdom of Lesotho. One of the Drakensberg Rockjumper ’s most reliable stake-outs is Sani Pass, a winding 4×4 track from the village of Himeville into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

South Africa 215

South Africa Lesotho Africa Swaziland 215

10,000 Birds

MAY 31, 2011

This was tough because this excluded species that occur in two countries within South Africa’s geographical area, Lesotho and Swaziland. So birds like Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker and Southern Bald Ibis were automatically withdrawn. A male Knysna Woodpecker by Steve Davis 5.

South Africa 225

South Africa Africa Parrots Swaziland 225