We leave Johannesburg early morning for our first destination, Wakkerstroom. This area, one of the most important and unique bird regions in South Africa, is without a doubt, a birdwatcher's paradise. We will reside on the outskirts of town in comfortable en-suite rooms. The vegetation in the area comprises mainly grasslands. Will spend the afternoon birding around town, in search of Grey Crowned Cranes, Cape Longclaw, African Marsh Harrier, Long-tailed Widowbird, Cape Crow, South African Cliff-swallow, Cape Canary and a host of other bird species. At dusk we might also see Marsh Owls displaying their hunting technique over the grasslands. D

After an early bird breakfast, will head out into the district in search of Rudd's, Botha's & Spike-heeled Larks, Grey-winged & Red-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Cloud & Pale-crowned Cisticolas, Cuckoo finch, Buff-Streaked Chat and Sand Martin. There are plentiful raptors incl. Jackal Buzzard, Amur Falcon and Rock Kestrel. In the pockets of afro-montane forests we could find Bush Blackcap, Olive Woodpecker and Rameron Pigeon. Will return to town for lunch and a short siesta. Our quest will continue in the afternoon for Bald Ibis, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Denham's Bustard, Yellow-tufted Pipit, and Blue Korhaan. Overnight as previous. BD

Early morning drive to the Wakkerstroom Wetland and it's two hides for some last birding before breakfast. The wetlands hold a significant proportion of globally endangered Whitewinged Flufftail and large number of specials such as Little Bittern, Baillon's Crake, Redchested Flufftail and African Rail. Return to the Centre for breakfast, after which we pack up and depart for Mkuze Game Reserve. Will have lunch at the Ghost Mountain Inn just outside Mkuze village before entering the reserve.

With a bird list of over 420 species, Mkuze is one of the most rewarding bird-watching areas in the World. Mkuze has a diverse array of habitats, from tall open woodland to dense, scrubby sand forest, to tall riverine forest to shallow tropical wetlands. Mammals are plentiful and include White and Black Rhino, Vervet Monkey, Chacma Baboon, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Crocodile, Giraffe, Warthog, Burchell's Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Red and Grey Duiker, Greater Kudu and Nyala. For the next two days we will be staying at the Inhlonhlela Bush Lodge overlooking Inhlonhlela pan. The distinctive en-suite units are of wood and reed structure, connected by boardwalks, which lead to a central lounge and kitchen. A field ranger is on hand to take us on walks, the first one being after we have settled in.

During the course of our stay here we will:

• Drive to Nsumu & Ediza Pans, large floodplain wetland areas which are home to Pink-backed Pelican, Woolly-necked and Yellow-billed Storks, Goliath Heron, African and Lesser Jacanas, Pygmy Goose, Intermediate Egret, African Spoonbill, Spurwinged Goose, Whitefaced Duck, Water Dikkop and a number of palearctic wader species.
• Do an early morning walk with a field ranger into the Fig Forest. Could see Trumpeter Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Purplecrested Turaco, Whitebacked Vultures, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Dark-Backed Weaver, Goldenrumped Tinkerbird, African White-eye, Squaretailed Drongo, Yellowbellied Green-bul, Terrestrial Brown-bul, Broadbilled Roller, Green Malkoha, Crowned Eagle and Scaly-throated Honeyguide.
• Drive around in the remaining habitats ranging from acacia woodland to sandforest to riverine areas in search of Crested Guineafowl, African Broadbill, Rudd's Apalis, Miombo Wren-Warbler, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, African Green Pigeon, Green Twinspot, Black-tailed Waxbill, Pink-throated Twinspot, Dusky Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Neergaard's Sunbird, Eastern Nicator, Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny and Wahlberg's Eagle, Bateleur, Black Sawwing, Bearded Scub-robin, Yellowthroated Longclaw, Black-bellied Korhaan, Senegal Lapwing, Grey Penduline Tit, Bushveld Pipit and Lemonbreasted Canary in the Palm savannah areas. Need we say more?
  Day 4:BD (Lunch at own expense at Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze Village).
  Day 5:BLD

After breakfast we pack our luggage and head southeast to Rocktail Bay Lodge. This lodge is situated in the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve, adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve. The lodge is positioned in coastal forest, tucked behind the first row of dunes. Will be staying in wood and thatch 'treehouse' chalets, which have en-suite facilities. This is perhaps one of the most private beach experiences in South Africa. Will arrive around midday and check in. After lunch will go on an afternoon drive to local birding stakeouts. Birding specials could include Emerald Cuckoo in the forest, and Rosy-throated Longclaw, Rufous-bellied Heron, Croaking Cisticola and African Quail-Finch in the marshy and grassland areas. BLD

Will do an early morning short walk through the coastal forest for Woodward's Batis, Brown Scrub-robin, Livingstone's Turaco and Grey Sunbird. Will also spend some time at a quaint hide to maybe see Lemon Dove and Buff-spotted Flufftail. After brunch we then head north to Ndumo Game Reserve, on South Africa's border with Mozambique. There we will be transferred to Ndumo Wilderness Camp, situated in an area not open to the general public. The camp is situated on the edge of Banzi Pan, and offers superbly appointed tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Ndumo must rank as the top birding spot in Kwazulu-Natal, with over 60% of South Africa's birds occurring in the area, only a few less than the Kruger National Park, which is about 180 times larger. An afternoon drive to a nearby pan may yield Saddle-billed Stork, African Openbill, a variety of smaller waders, and thicket species such as Crowned Hornbill, Crested Francolin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Retz's Helmetshrike and Pygmy Kingfisher. BLD

One full day spent birding in all of Ndumo's diverse habitats. Possible sightings could include Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, White-eared Barbet, Brown-throated Weaver, Little Bittern, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Grey-rumped Swallow, Lesser Honeyguide, Rufous-winged Cisticola, Painted Snipe, African Finfoot, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Common Quail, Dusky and Purple Indigobird, Black Coucal, Eastern Olive Sunbird, Allen's Gallinule, Black-bellied Starling and Grey-headed Kingfisher. Birds of prey are well represented, incl. Palmnut Vulture, African Fish Eagle, Sooty Falcon, Osprey, Black Sparrowhawk, Lesser-Spotted Eagle, Cuckoo Hawk and the most elusive nocturnal piscivore, Pel's Fishing Owl. BLD

After an early morning of birding we have brunch followed by a transfer back to the gate and then the long drive back to Johannesburg, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Contact us for rates.(Code outlook)B