South Africa & Botswana

Limpopo & Tuli

19 November to 3 December 2010

Principal Leader: Leon Marais

Maximum of 11 clients (two leaders with more than six clients).

Cost: £3,699 single room supplement £180

South Africa's Limpopo Province straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and borders the three neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Much of the province is devoted to wildlife and indeed a large portion of it falls within the Kruger National Park. Other wildlife areas include Mapungubwe National Park in the north and Marakele National Park in the east as well as numerous private reserves and conservancies. Habitats are varied in the province and range from the moist forests of the Soutpansberg and Escarpment to grasslands, wetlands and arid savannah. Our tour of this province aims to make the most of these differing habitats to yield a large and varied bird and mammal list. We begin in the Nylsvley area, South Africa's most important floodplain, which holds large numbers of waterbirds when inundated. Next we head north to the Soutpansberg, where we explore Lake Albasini and some forest habitats in the Soutpansberg Foothills. Then we move northwest to Mapungubwe National Park, a region of primordial scenery and wonderful birds and big game. Our next stop is in the awesome Tuli Block across the Limpopo River in Botswana. This is a large region of privately owned game reserves providing great game viewing and a chance at spectacular birds such as Three-banded Courser, Verreaux's Eagle and Pel's Fishing Owl. Crossing back into South Africa we then head south-east to the Magoebaskloof area, where forest birds such as Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Cape Parrot, Knysna Turaco and Bat Hawk are on the search-list. All in all this promises to be a spectacular tour, so journey with us and see why we think this 'Limpopo & Tuli' itinerary will be a big hit!