Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park’s bird checklist of 280 species includes a large number of dry-country specials with a limited distribution in South Africa. The park is renowned for its birds of prey, with , , , , and among the more common of 45-plus species. A notable feature of the landscape is the massive communal nests built in acacia trees by . 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- Ashy tit
- Black-chested snake eagle
- Black-eared sparrow lark (NE)
- Burchell’s sandgrouse
- Capped wheatear
- Dusky sunbird
- Fairy flycatcher (NE)
- Great sparrow
- Lanner falcon
- Ludwig’s bustard
- Martial eagle
- Pink-billed lark
- Pygmy falcon
- Red-footed falcon
- Red-necked falcon
- Secretary bird
- Sociable weaver
- Southern black korhaan (NE)
- Southern white-faced owl
- Swallow-tailed bee-eater
- Verreaux’s eagle owl
- Violet-eared waxbill
- White-headed vulture
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching in Kgalagadi is always good, but especially so from November to April, when you can observe birds as well as species. Kgalagadi can become extremely hot in the midsummer period (November to March), while nighttime temperatures during the midwinter months (June to August) often drop close to or below freezing. The cusp months (April to May and September to October) provide a compromise between extremes.