Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve has more than 250 bird species recorded. Migratory birds are present from November to April. Being a typical Big Five private game reserve, Makalali isn't really aimed at serious birders. The birding is good, but it’s a good idea to make arrangements for private drives, prior to arrival to avoid disappointment.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African green pigeon
- African hawk-eagle
- Arrow-marked babbler
- Black-crowned night heron
- Chinspot batis
- Common greenshank
- Greater painted-snipe
- Jameson’s firefinch
- Lesser spotted eagle
- Little grebe
- Pennant-winged nightjar
- Senegal lapwing
- Shaft-tailed whydah
- Southern ground hornbill
- Southern pochard
- Stierling’s wren-warbler
- Temminck’s courser
- White-winged widowbird
- Yellow-breasted apalis
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching in Greater Makalali is always good, but it’s best from November to April, when Eurasian and intra-African migrant species are present. The prime time for general wildlife viewing is from June to September (the dry months).