North Eastern Limpopo
Limpopo Lifers links three accommodation venues located in three very different habitats in North Eastern Limpopo. The combined bird count for the three venues using the SABAP pentads is 390 birds. We recommend that at least two nights are spent each at Birders Cottage, Zvakanaka Farm or Nthakeni River and Bush camp. This allows for a full day’s birding at each venue.
The route linking the three venues can be continued to include Punda Maria, Shingwedzi, Mopani and Tsendze Camps in the northern section of the Kruger National Park. By combining the Limpopo Lifers venues and the Kruger Park venues a circular route can be created. The northern regions of the Kruger Park have a number of accommodation options and the birding is excellent. e.g. Punda Maria, Shingwedzi, Mopani and Letaba Camp
Limpopo Lifers Birding Venues:
All three venues below have excellent birding on the property with many options to bird in the district, alone or with a bird guide.
Book directly with the venues. Booking information on venue websites.
Nthakeni Bush and River camp is located in Pafuri in tropical riverine forest fringed by Mopani bush.
Zvakanaka Farm is located in the Soutpansburg in dry mountain forest/scrub and grassland.
Birders Cottage is located in Magoebaskloof Escarpment Mist Belt Forest.
https://www.facebook.com/mbcottage
A recent guest found and photographed many of our forest specials. Check out this Facebook post
The Safari Expert recently visited Birders Cottage and produced this video of his stay.
Birding and General Guides
Sam Baloyi is an experienced guide for the Pafuri region.
Contact: 078 010 8112.
David Lestoalo is an experienced guide for the Magoebaskloof region.
Contact David: 083 568 4678.
Samson Mulaudzi is an experienced guide for the Soutpansberg region.
Contact: 083 662 9960
Birding
The links to SABAP2 pentad summaries are shown below. Detailed species lists of these three pentads can be found here.
What is the South African Bird Atlas Project?
The list below shows some of the special birds that can be seen in the North East Limpopo. We recommend that you use a bird guide to make the best use of your time.
| Cape Parrot | Brown-necked Parrot | Retz’s Helmet-Shrike |
| African Finfoot | Racket-tailed Roller | Broad-billed Roller |
| Orange-winged Pytilia | African Broadbill | Pink-throated Twinspot |
| Green Twinspot | Orange Ground Thrush | Allen’s Gallinule |
| Eastern Nicator | Olive Bushshrike | Crested Guineafowl |
| Bearded Scrub Robin | Red-backed Mannikin | Magpie Mannikin |
| Knysna Turaco | Chorister Robin Chat | White-starred Robin |
| White-throated Robin-Chat | Blue-spotted Wood Dove | Gorgeous Bush Shrike |
| Black-fronted Bushshrike | Southern Yellow White-eye | Yellow-streaked Greenbul |
Some of the specials to be seen at each venue:
Birders Cottage: Cape Parrot | Yellow-streaked Greenbul | Orange Ground Thrush | Black-fronted Bush-Shrike |
Zvakanaka: Crested Guineafowl | Bearded Scrub Robin
Nthakeni: Brown-necked Parrot | Southern Yellow White-eye.
Roads
The recommended access roads are indicated on the NELB map. These roads are usually in good condition and safe for birders to use.
Driving Time
Nthakeni to Pafuri picnic site – less than 1 hour
Birders Cottage to Zvakanaka Farm – 2 hours.
Zvakanaka Farm to Nthakeni Bush and River camp – 2hours