The stunning and breath-taking province of Mpumalanga on the eastern side of South Africa is famous for the Kruger National Park and it’s sought after big 5, and amazing bird life. But Mpumalanga has more to offer then just Kruger National Park. Don’t get me wrong the birding in Kruger is amazing, and I lead and join birders on trips to Kruger, but this write up is aimed at the small escarpment town of Kaapsehoop close to Nelspruit.
As a bird guide I lead tours all over Africa and the world for Nature Travel Birding, but my local area too has some exceptional birding. With us all being restricted on travel I have been focusing on local birding trips with South Africans, now that we can travel why not join me on a birding trip to Kaapsehoop and the Lowveld while on the way to Kruger.
Kaapsehoop used to be famous for the Blue Swallows which unfortunately have not been seen in the area for some time, but the little area on the escarpment with its fantastic scenery and wild horses still offers some incredible birding. With Indigenous forest accessible in the area we have been enjoying some great sighting some of the regions for secretive birds like: Bush Blackcap, Barratt’s Warbler, Green Twinspot and White-starred Robin. Other great birds in the forest area include: Swee Waxbill, Olive Bushshrike, Olive Woodpecker, Red-backed Mannikin, Knysna Turaco, Forest Canary, Grey Cuckooshrike, Cape Batis and Lemon Dove.
The magical thing about the area is the variety of habitats; one can spend time in the forest and then head across to the open pristine grasslands of the Blue Swallow reserve or walk among the boulders from the town and enjoy an different variety of birds. In winter the flowing aloes attract the likes of Gurney’s Sugarbird and Malachite Sunbirds. Other great birds seen in the grasslands and around the town include: Black Sparrowhawk, Buff-streaked Chat, Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Grassbird, Drakensburg Prinia, Cape Longclaw, Southern Tchagra, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, Black-winged Lapwing, Black-rumped Buttonquil and Striped Fuftail.
With us slowly getting back to normal, and our summer migrants arriving take the time out to enjoy some birding and why not make a stop in Kaapsehoop and the Lowveld to enjoy a range of different birds not seen in Kruger. A stop off at Kaapsehoop will only make that Kruger trip even more special.
I am offering my services as a birding guide to join you on a birding trip in Kaapsehoop, the Lowveld and Kruger where I can join you for the day or even hop into your car and enjoy the birding the area has to offer. Feel free to get into contact with me to make that trip down to Mpumalanga more memorable and enjoyable.
Marc Cronje
083 705 6436
Marc.cronje1991@gmail.com
www.naturetravelbirding.com- have a look at our birding trips we offer across Africa and the world.