Karoo Birds & Nocturnal Prowlers

4 DAY TRIPS : 16 to 20 January 2023

21 to 24 May 2023

11 to 14 August 2023

This trip is tailor made for lovers of wide-open spaces, glorious night skies and great Karoo hospitality.

We visit the KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy which includes the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve and the Hanover Aardvark Nature Reserve.

Our home for three wonderful nights is New Holme Nature Lodge, situated on the banks of the Zeecow River, between Colesburg and Hanover. New Holme is set in a sweeping landscape of wide-open spaces and spectacular sunsets, combining traditional Karoo hospitality with vast scenic beauty. The farm, which was originally a thoroughbred racehorse stud farm, is presently an active sheep and ostrich business.

More than two hundred million years ago this landscape was part of a large lake and a vista dotted with gigantic trees. It is a birding paradise with over 200 species recorded. The farm supports a variety of vegetation types with mountains, hills, plains and permanent water, which provide ample suitable habitats for many wildlife species.

An added attraction is a 180° “Star Deck” fitted with a wide angle telescope from which one can enjoy breathtaking star-studded Karoo night skies

BIRDING

To date, the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve boasts an impressive bird list, with more than 205 bird species having been recorded.

The area supports an array of large birds including Verreaux’s and Martial Eagles, Karoo, Northern Black and Blue Korhaans, Blue and Grey Crowned Cranes and Kori and Ludwig’s Bustards.

Both Burchell’s and Double-banded Coursers occur and LBJ’s are well represented with six Lark, five Pipit and five Cisticola species being resident. Other arid area specials such as Fairy Flycatcher, Namaqua and Rufous-eared Warblers, Karoo and Sickle-winged Chats and Cape Penduline-Tit are regularly seen.

NOCTURNAL CREATURES

NOCTURNAL CREATURES

Even though the Karoo is an arid region, the diversity of nocturnal animals is astounding. Possible sightings include Aardwolf, Cape and Bat-eared foxes, African wildcat, Black-footed cat, Aardvark, Porcupine, Striped polecat, African striped weasel and both Small and Large spotted Genets.

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