Buffalo
Shingwedzi is prime elephant and buffalo country. See the vast array of wild game and birds which can be spotted by going on game drives or tracked on foot on this South Africa safari. Enjoy a barbecue in the bush.
Track wildlife and birds on foot, or head off on game safari drives in search of lion and leopard. Guests can enjoy an unforgettable, heart-racing game walkout in the bush surrounding Shingwedzi Camp or take a mystical night drive out in the African wilds on your South Africa suggested itinerary. Along the way break for a barbecue and let the whoop of the hyena and the frog-like call of the Mocambique nightjar enchant you.
Please Note: If you must walk around at night please do not do so without a torch.
Shingwedzi Wildlife
Game can be sparse in the stretches of Mopani Shrubveld in the region, but the alluvial plains in the immediate vicinity of the Shingwedzi River tend to be very productive. Impala, Kudu, Duiker, Bushbuck, Nyala and Sharpe's grysbok are browsers to be searched for, while Buffalo and waterbuck are the most common grazing species.
During this South Africa safari you will see that Elephant, Baboon and Vervet Monkey. These animals are all prominent, as are tree squirrels, especially in the camp itself. Predators include Lion, Leopard and Spotted Hyena and there are a couple of packs of Wild Dog that roam these northern reaches of the Kruger National Park.
There are open plains north of Babalala Picnic Site where Cheetah are regularly recorded. This is a good place to search for the rare large Antelope species: Roan, Sable, Tsessebe, Eland and Lichtenstein's Hartebeest.
Birding
Shingwedzi has abundant bird-life and, aside from the ubiquitous squabble of hornbills, starlings, weavers and mourning doves, the camp is a good place to see Bennett's woodpecker, Natal robin, European hobby (hawking prey at dusk in summer), grey penduline tit, black and steelblue widowfinch and scops owl (at night).
Cutthroat finch has been recorded in camp near the swimming pool. Giant Eagle Owl is also regularly seen in the large riverine trees on the road approaching the camp.One should keep a careful lookout for Bathawk. Although not easy to see, they are around and the lucky birder could see them catching bats and swifts at dusk.
The high-water bridge is a good potential vantage point, while they can also be seen along the Kanniedood Dam road on your South Africa safari. There was great excitement in 1995 when collared palm thrush was recorded in the camp. It has subsequently been recorded every year and quite possibly breeds.
Downstream from the rest camp Kanniedood Dam hosts many interesting species. Storks (openbilled, yellowbilled, saddlebilled and woolynecked) are prominent. The hide is a good spot to see black crake and African jacana at close quarters. Whitewinged tern has also been recorded on the dam. In summer, a bit of luck may offer birders the chance to compare the rare dwarf bittern with the common greenbacked heron.
5 Things to Seek
- Giant Eagle Owl
- Elephant
- African Rock Python
- Spotted Hyena
- Green Pigeon
