Calling all birding enthusiasts! Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is excited to announce the launch of our brand new Karoo Birdwatching Safari—an exclusive tour designed to take you on an unforgettable avian adventure through our 10 000 hectare wildlife reserve.
Led by experienced and knowledgeable game rangers, Inverdoorn’s Karoo Birdwatching Safari is an exceptional addition to your Big 5 safari experience. Embark on a dedicated, one-hour bird watching expedition, venturing beyond the usual game drive routes to explore the reserve’s prime birding locations and diverse habitats teeming with avian life.
Beyond the Big 5: A Birder’s Paradise
While Inverdoorn is renowned for it’s cheetah breeding project, free-roaming game, and magnificent sightings of the Big 5 close to Cape Town, the untamed vastness of the Great Karoo holds another treasure—over 165 species of native birds.
From the flamboyant pink of the Greater Flamingo gracing the reserve’s waterholes to the majestic silhouette of the rare Verreaux’s Black Eagle soaring overhead, Inverdoorn is a haven for birdwatchers seeking regional sighting of South Africa’s interior bird life. While birding on the Karoo plains, larks, starlings, weavers and chats are prominent. The Common Ostrich, Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard and Namaqua Sandgrouse are what you should look out for.
Spectacular sightings of birds can also be seen in and around Inverdoorn’s overnight safari lodge. While enjoying breakfast under the trees or relaxing afternoon by the pool in the afternoon sun, you might sight an Acacia Pied Barbet, Red-eyed Bulbul, Karoo Scrub Robin, Cape Robin-chat, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomola, Pale-winged Starling, Southern (Lesser) Double-collared Dusky Sunbird, or Redheaded Finch.
Regional birds to look out for are the Karoo Eremomela, Namaqua Warbler (Prinia), and Pririt Batis. Be sure to keep your eyes trained on the skies and trees, as the reserve’s resident raptors include the Booted Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rock Kestrel and numerous Lesser Kestrels in the summer months. And, if you’re stopping at one of the Inverdoorn’s watering holes, grab your binoculars for an up close sighting of the Karoo’s wading birds, from Grey Plovers and Southern Sheld Ducks, to Three Banded Plovers and Grey Herons.
Discover the birds of the Karoo
The Wings of The Karoo
From beginners to expert birders, this specialised birdwatching tour caters specifically to those wanting to find and photograph the birds of the Karoo. While you’ll still be exploring the reserve in a traditional 4×4 safari vehicle, driving past wild game and keeping an eye out for the Big 5, the primary focus will be on spotting and appreciating our incredible feathered residents. Set outside of the traditional safari game drive times, you’ll have plenty of time to find and photograph the birds on your check list. Your guide will expertly navigate through the reserve, making strategic stops at prime birding spots and diverse habitats to maximise your chances of encountering a variety of birds.
Our commitment to conservation extends to all the inhabitants of the reserve. Therefore, the birdwatching safari tour will prioritise minimal disruption and noise, ensuring even the smallest and most elusive birds remain undisturbed in their natural habitat. Our careful birding approach also allows for exceptional photographic opportunities and creates a truly enriching experience for every participant.
Book Inverdoorn’s Birdwatching Safari Tour
Ready to embark on a unique birding adventure? Join Inverdoorn’s Karoo Birdwatching Safari for a mere R1000 per person. This one-hour exploration promises to be a highlight of your Inverdoorn stay, leaving you with memories that will take flight long after your visit.
