Karoo National Park is an excellent spot for serious bird-watchers, since the checklist of 250 species includes many specials and other . The campsite often offers the best birding, so take a stroll out there even if you’re not staying. In the vicinity of cliffs, look out for the majestic and other soaring overhead. The bird shelter at the dam is good for waders. are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = most of the global population is resident in South Africa- Acacia pied barbet
- African red-eyed bulbul
- African rock pipit (NE)
- Black stork
- Booted eagle
- Cape robin-chat
- Chat flycatcher
- Chestnut-vented warbler
- Cinnamon-breasted warbler (NE)
- Common swift
- Dusky sunbird
- Jackal buzzard (NE)
- Karoo bustard
- Karoo chat
- Karoo eremomela (NE)
- Karoo lark (NE)
- Karoo long-billed lark
- Karoo prinia (NE)
- Karoo scrub robin (NE)
- Karoo thrush (NE)
- Layard’s tit-babbler (NE)
- Ludwig’s bustard
- Namaqua warbler (NE)
- Pale-winged starling
- Pririt batis
- Red-headed finch
- Rufous-eared warbler
- Short-toed rock thrush
- Sickle-winged chat (NE)
- South African shelduck
- Tractrac chat
- Verreaux’s eagle
- Yellow-bellied eremomela
Best Time for Bird Watching
The main point of interest for visiting bird-watchers is specials and other , which are generally throughout the year. That said, bird-watching is most productive from November to April, when are present. Bearing in mind, however, that the summer heat can be extreme, a visit during the cooler winter months of May to September will most likely be more pleasant.