General South Africa RFI (1 Viewer)

[randyy]

I'll be in Capetown from May 26-30, before heading to Nairobi on a Dragoman tour. Does anyone have any recommendations for me - places to visit, places to stay, places to eat? Should I hire a guide, or just hire a car and self-drive? I would like to get on a pelagic as well.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Randy Yuen
Colorado USA

 

[Rasmus Boegh]

This page is very usefull, and describes loads of birdingspots "down there":

http://www.sabirding.co.za/

(look under birding resources)
It also give you info on boat-trips (pelagics)... but the following are more extensive on that matter:

http://www.zestforbirds.co.za/
http://www.capetownpelagics.com/

Surely, if you have the time, you shouldn't miss a pelagic when your finally "down there".

Good Luck!

 

[randyy]

Thanks!

Thanks for the websites, they should keep me busy for a few days doing research!

Randy

 

[markgriff]

I was out in Cape Town a few months back and used a guide called Frank from 'Cape Sugarbird Tours' - didn't cost a great deal for a good days birding! Unfortunately, I can't find any contact deatils for him at the moment. If you go to the Tourist Information Office in Cape Town, they had tour leaflets there.
Also have a look at www.birdwatch.co.za - another site for tours based around The Cape.

If you decide to go it alone, Rondevlei Nature Reserve was superb and teeming with birds. Good for herons, egrets and ibis etc but watch out for the hippos!
Also Strandfontein Water Treatment Works. The smell there is not great but again excellent for birds, especially ducks and grebes. I picked up Black-shouldered kite, Malachite Kingfisher and African Jacana here as well.
If you've got time, try Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens too. Orange-breasted Sunbird was the specialty here as well as lots of other small birds such as Olive Thrush, Cape Sugarbird and Black Sawwing Swallow.