Bird Hides Kruger National Park

There are currently eleven bird hides in the Kruger Park.

This list omits camp hides that arise within chosen camps such as at Bateleur, Punda Maria, Sirheni, Talamati, Tamboti and private hides at Letaba for residents of Fish Eagle Guest House and at Shingwedzi for Rentmeester Guest House.

From South to North:

• Nthandanyathi - situated on the S28 south east of Lower Sabie just north of the junction with the S137.

• Gardenia - situated on the S25, S119 junction near Malelane.

• Lake Panic – situated on the S42 near Skukuza on the road to the Nursery

• Sweni – situated where the S37 meets the Sweni River about 5 km from N’wanetsi Picnic Site

• Ratel Pan – situated on the S39 about 4 km north of Timbavati Picnic Site

• Sable Dam – situated on the S51 about 7 km from Phalaborwa Gate

• Matambeni – situated on the S62 on the northern bank of the Letaba River, north west of
• Letaba Camp

• Shipandani – situated on the S142 about 3 km from Mopani Camp

• Pioneer Dam - situated on the southern side of the dam of the same name,beside the dam wall, also on the S142.

• Nyawutsi – situated on the eastern part of the S50 a few km north of GrootvleiDam

• Kanniedood – situated on the S50 a few km south east of Shingwedzi Camp

Restrooms:

There are no restroom facilities at any of the hides (apart from the rest room facilities at Shipandani and Sable Dam for sleepover guests only), but the majority are situated close to rest camps or picnic spots, where such facilities will be present.

A Sleepover at the Hides:

The basic necessities are available at Shipandani at Mopani Camp and for the Sable Dam Hide at Phalaborwa Gate, this includes Mattresses, bed linen and basic cutlery and crockery.

The Shipandani Hide sleeps a maximum of 6 people. Only one group may use the hide on a given night. Parties are not allowed to sleep at the hide for more than one night at a time.

The Sable Dam Hide sleeps a maximum of 9 people. Only one party may use the hide on a given night. Parties may not sleep at the hide for more than one night at a time.

What you can expect to see?

The attraction of the hides is that almost anything can be sighted,it rather unexpected as anything may turn up. There is a large occurance of leopard encounters from several of the hides. Most of the hides are situated by waterholes or on rivers, hippo and crocodile are occupant at the majority of the hides, as are the biggest selection of water birds such as herons, fish eagles, storks, kingfishers and cranes. Over 226 birds have been sited, such as:

• Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Geelbekrenostervoël)

• Arnott's Chat (Bontpiek)

• Red-faced Cisticola (Rooiwangtinktinkie)

• Klaas's Cuckoo (Meitjie)

• Grey-headed Parrot (Savannepapegaai)

• Böhm's Spinetail (Witpensstekelstert)

• Mottled Spinetail (Gevlektestekelstert

• Verreaux's Eagle-Owl (Reuse-ooruil)

• Freckled Nightjar (Donkernaguil)

• White-crowned Lapwing (Witkopkiewiet)

• Tropical Boubou (Tropiese Waterfiskaal)

• Retz's Helmet-Shrike (Swarthelmlaksman)

• Black-throated Wattle-eye (Beloogbosbontrokkie)

• Gorgeous Bush-Shrike (Konkoit)

• Mosque Swallow (Moskeeswael)

• Eastern Nicator (Geelvleknikator)

• Green-capped Eremomela (Donkerwangbossanger)

• African Yellow White-eye (Geelglasogie)

• Southern White-faced Scops-Owl (Witwanguil)

• Stierling's Wren Warbler (Stierlingse sanger)

• Crowned Hornbill (Gekroonde Neushoringvoël)

• Red-faced Cisticola (Rooiwangtinktinkie)

• Black Cuckooshrike (Swartkatakoeroe)

The joys of been patient

Little movement first appears when you arrive at the hide. Yet observing patiently for a a short period of time will show a strong stream of entertainment. People who prefer to sit and be patient in a hide for the day mainly see much more than those who drive around looking for game.