Embarking on one of many available Kruger Park safaris, we are assured by game rangers that we will undoubtedly spot some of South Africa’s big five as well as other fascinating wildlife along the way. What we tend to forget is that the big 5 are not the only attraction of Kruger Park tours. Birdlife form an integral part of the Kruger National Park and would you believe that there are more than 900 birdlife species in the Kruger Park alone? Here are five of the most unusual birdlife species that make the Kruger Park their home.

For those who have visited the majestic Kruger National Park, you will know that it is undoubtedly one of the most serene and inspiring destinations in South Africa. Tourists and locals alike visit numerous game parks in South Africa including Sabi Sands Reserve and other game popular parks but the Kruger Park still remains one of the most popular and exciting holiday destinations for any South African trip. But before you grab your map and adorn your binoculars, here are five facts about the Kruger National Park that you might not know.

Park and tour owners have recently been able to breathe a sigh of relief as the South African government has recently agreed on establishing a reaction unit focused specifically on targeting rhino poaching crimes that have been occurring within the Kruger Park and other parks in South Africa. These wildlife crimes have affected the park in the past few years as Rhino’s have been killed for their ivory, which is said to be sold in the Far East where there is a steep demand for the horn.

In December I had a short break from safaris and had arranged to go on a birding course in the far north of Kruger. I had three objectives for that week– 1) to learn more about birds plus see some of the unique species of the area; 2) to have a holiday in Kruger Park which involved a lot of walking; and 3) to have that holiday in the Parfuri / Makuleke region which is relatively inaccessible to the general public. So on the 8^th December I travelled to the far north of Kruger, the Parfuri region, to a training camp located on the southern banks of the “great, green, greasy” Limpopo River for a wonderful week of birding. I saw many new (for me anyway!) birds and learnt a huge amount more about their calls and habits. There were 15 of us on the course with 2 instructor guides and we walked for 3-4 hours every morning while it was still relatively cool and drove every afternoon when it was generally too hot to walk.