Birds of the Kruger National Park - Class Aves

Finding birds or birding in the Kruger Park is a relatively simple matter. On arrival, one is immediately impressed by the sheer number of birds and variety of species. With a potential bird list of over 500 bird species -- more than half of Southern Africa's 900 species!

Depending on the season, a competent birder could expect to find between 150 and 250 species on a one to two week visit to the Kruger National Park. In general, the denser vegetation and variety of habitats in the south and far north are the most productive birding areas. Punda Maria and Pafuri are particularly good for specials.

The Kruger National Park is, without doubt, the finest birding locality in southern Africa. It provides a unique combination of wilderness areas, varied habitats, easy road access, and comfortable amenities, together with a wide variety and concentration of bird species and big game animals.

The park is situated in the north-east of south Africa, bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe, in an area known as the Transvaal Lowveld. As one of the largest parks in Africa, it covers an area of almost 20 000 square kilometres, and is roughly 350 km long and 60 km wide.

For the birder, the high diversity and density of bird species is the great attraction. The wide range of habitats is responsible for a bird list of over 500 species, while the productivity of these habitats is such that many species occur in abundance. The Park is especially good for large raptors which are rare outside of extensive conservation areas, while many other scarce and migrant species are attracted to it's unspoilt wilderness.