Marakele hosts one of the world’s largest colonies of the endangered Cape vulture. More than 800 breeding pairs nest on the mountain cliffs and groups of them may be seen in the air. Aside from vultures, Marakele is great for checking off many other raptors riding the thermals generated by the Waterberg cliffs. The park has more than 280 bird species and migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African finfoot
- Black cuckoo-shrike
- Black-cheeked waxbill
- Black-chested snake eagle
- Brown snake eagle
- Brubru
- Buff-streaked chat
- Cape bunting
- Cape rock thrush
- Cape vulture
- Common kestrel
- Fiery-necked nightjar
- Gurney’s sugarbird
- Half-collared kingfisher
- Lanner falcon
- Lazy cisticola
- Malachite sunbird
- Mocking cliff chat
- Mountain wheatear
- Peregrine falcon
- Rufous-crowned roller
- Southern carmine bee-eater
- Southern white-crowned shrike
- Swee waxbill
- Verreaux’s eagle
- Violet-eared waxbill
- Wahlberg’s eagle
- Wailing cisticola
- White-crested helmet-shrike
Best Time for Bird Watching
A birding visit to Marakele would be best scheduled during the migrant season, which occurs from November to April. There isn't ever a bad time to visit since bird watching is generally decent throughout the year. However, June to September are the best months for observing wildlife.