10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

What drove me to this revelation was crossing the border of the tiny, enclaved nation of Lesotho via the Sani Pass, a ridiculously treacherous road. Hannah overlooking a valley Traveling into Lesotho from the Sani Pass is an experience more than just the journey to the top.

Lesotho 218

Lesotho Sheep South Africa Africa 218

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 225

South Africa Africa Lesotho Nigeria 225

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. Buff-streaked Chats and Cape Rock-Thrushes sing from boulder tops, and family huddles of Ground Woodpeckers emit their rather gull-like shrieks. A lovely male Cape Rock Thrush by Adam Riley .

Lesotho 165

Lesotho Africa Birds Rats 165

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 217

South Africa Lesotho Africa Swaziland 217

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like Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker and Southern Bald Ibis were automatically withdrawn.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 227

South Africa Africa Parrots Swaziland 227