Day 7…Kruger National Park…Birds in the park with our photos…Exciting experience last night…Thermal Game Drive…

It’s always challenging to photograph a hippo with its mouth open. This was safari luck!

Although we aren’t avid bird watchers, we enjoy seeing some of the many species of birds in Marloth Park and Kruger National Park. We see many interesting species while stopping at Sunset Dam in Lower Sabie.

How Many Types of Birds Are in Kruger National Park?

A Cape Buffalo on the shore of Sunset Dam in Lower Sabie. Also, another yellow-billed stork is standing on the back of a submerged hippo.

When people think of Kruger National Park in South Africa, they often picture lions lounging under acacia trees, herds of elephants crossing dusty roads, or leopards draped over branches. But there’s another world in Kruger that’s lighter, faster, and more colorful — the world of birds.

A spoon-billed stork.

Kruger National Park is home to an astonishing 500 bird species. That’s right—within its 19,485 square kilometers (7,523 square miles), Kruger holds one of the richest bird diversities on the African continent. This vibrant collection of feathered creatures includes everything from massive eagles to tiny sunbirds, offering a full spectrum of colors, shapes, and sounds.

Of those 500 species, about 253 are permanent residents. You can spot these birds year-round, no matter when you visit. The remaining species are either migratory — flying in from Europe, Asia, or other parts of Africa during certain seasons — or nomadic, moving based on the availability of food and water.

Another view of the spoon-billed stork.

The sheer variety is breathtaking. You might see a lilac-breasted roller flashing its iridescent wings as it swoops to catch insects, or a martial eagle surveying the savannah from high above. In the riverine forests, if you’re lucky and very quiet, you might even spot the elusive pel’s fishing owl, a bird so secretive that finding it feels like winning a prize.

More spoon-billed storks.

Among Kruger’s many bird species, a few stand out so much that they’ve earned a special title: the Big Six Birds. Modeled after the famous Big Five mammals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), the Big Six Birds include:

  • Lappet-faced vulture: The largest vulture species in Africa, with a wingspan reaching up to 2.9 meters (over 9 feet).

  • Martial eagle: A powerful bird of prey known for its strength and sharp eyesight.

  • Saddle-billed stork: A striking wading bird, unmistakable with its bright red and black bill and towering height.

  • Kori bustard: One of the heaviest flying birds in the world, often seen solemnly striding across open areas.

  • Southern ground hornbill: A large, charismatic bird that spends most of its time walking the ground, foraging for insects and reptiles.

  • Pel’s fishing owl: The mysterious, nocturnal hunter, usually found near large bodies of water.

Black-winged stilt

Each bird species contributes its thread to Kruger’s life fabric. The park’s diverse habitats — from dense riverine forests to open grasslands and thorny bushveld — create countless niches where different birds can thrive. Whether it’s the acrobatic swoop of a bee-eater catching a dragonfly mid-air or the solemn flight of a heron skimming over a dam, every moment feels alive with movement.

An Egyptian goose at Sunset Dam.

Visiting Kruger during the summer months (October to March) can be especially rewarding for birdwatchers. Many migratory species have arrived to breed during this time, and the park pulses with even more energy. Birds wear their brightest breeding plumage, and their calls fill the air from before dawn until long after sunset.

A Cape buffalo with numerous oxpeckers on its hide.

Birdwatching in Kruger isn’t just about spotting species to tick off a list, though many enthusiasts enjoy that aspect. It’s about slowing down and tuning into a world that’s always there but easy to miss. It’s about noticing the tiny weavers meticulously building nests, the stealthy herons poised at the water’s edge, or the flash of a kingfisher darting like a jewel across a river.

In short, Kruger National Park is not just a paradise for the “big” wildlife seekers; it’s equally a treasure trove for bird lovers. With around 500 species filling the skies, trees, rivers, and bushveld, the park offers an endlessly rewarding experience for anyone willing to look a little closer and listen a little longer. Every visit holds the promise of a new feathered friend to discover.

Lots of hippos.

Last night, we went with resident Rodger on his Thermal Game Drive in Marloth Park. Rodger is sending me a few videos of what we saw. Once we receive them, we’ll post the videos and our photos. It was a fascinating experience we’re anxious to share.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 17, 2015:

A lone female was stopping for a drink. The edge of the open vehicle is shown in this photo, illustrating how close we were to her. For more photos, please click here.

Part 3…Kruger National Park photos…Grocery and egg prices…What are we spending on food?…

This mom elephant and her two youngsters were a delight to see.

The photos from Kruger weren’t as clear as they may have been if the wildlife had been so far away. It was a tough day in the heat when the wildlife tends to stay undercover to stay cool. Surely, we’ll return to Kruger each week as the weather cools and hopefully take better photos.

On another note, we grocery shopped last Sunday at Spar in Komatipoort and spent a total of ZAR 4867.67, US $264.90 plus another ZAR 1162.94, US $63.29 at The Butchery, the meat market in Marloth Park at the Bush Centre.

Elephant moving further into the bush.

The total for the next two weeks, considering we dine out two nights a week, is ZAR 6030.61, US $328.19, averages ZAR 3015.10, US $164.10 per week, assuming we selected the finest meats, vegetables, and dairy products we consume regularly.

Plus, with dining out at Jabula every Friday and Saturday, our bill is typically ZAR 918.78, US $50 each night. Thus, we spend another US $100 weekly, making our weekly food bill, including dining out twice weekly, ZAR 3934.07, $262.10. When we dined out in Minneapolis or  Lake Las Vegas, typically we spent at least twice as much for dining out.

It wasn’t easy to get good shots of the wildlife when it was a very hot day and the wildlife were readily visible, as they hid under cover in the bush.

When we compared our weekly grocery bills in the US, we paid at least twice as much as we do here. It’s incredible how much less costly it is to live here.

Of course, from time to time, we will go to the local SaveMor market in Marloth Park for fresh veggies for our salads and side dishes. We purchased these when we first arrived for US $12.90.

Spoonbill stork: The African Spoonbill is a long-legged wading bird. Its height is 90 cm (36′). Its body is predominantly white, except for its red legs, face, and bill. Its wings are 365-403 mm long. This bird can be easily identified by its uniquely spoon-shaped bill. At birth, the African Spoonbill’s bill does not resemble a spoon. It is born with a short beak that gradually develops into its spoon-like shape. It usually resembles a spoon right before it is time to leave its nest. Both the male and female birds are similar in appearance.

Yesterday, we had a fantastic time seeing Kathy and Don at their home on the Crocodile River. We arrived at 11:00 and left around 1:30 to allow them to get back to unpacking. It was wonderful to see them when it had been over three years since we dropped them off at the airport in Nelspruit to return to Hawaii for Don’s US medical care. They are thrilled to be back in the bush.

Surely, we’ll see them regularly during the remaining nine weeks until they return to the US. We have lots of plans to see friends while we’re here and then, the arrival of our friend Lisa in the beginning of April. We won’t be short on social activities, much of which transpires when we are at Jabula.

Notice the last item on this list is for a 24-pack of Alzu free-range eggs. They don’t carry pasture-raised eggs, so this was our best option. The price for the 24 jumbo eggs was ZAR 72.99, US $3.97, or almost US $2 a dozen, the same price we paid two years ago.

Last night, we booked our flights, hotel, and car in a good package deal with Expedia on our site. We’ll be leaving South Africa for Minnesota on May 24, arriving on May 25 (considering the seven-hour time difference), and fly back to Marloth Park on June 17, arriving on June 19.

Notice the circular marking on the waterbuck’s rear end. This is seen on both females and males.

We booked the same hotel we stayed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a rental car, and our round-trip flights. Fortunately, Maisie’s graduation isn’t until May 29, and the graduation party is on May 31. We’ll have four days to recover from the long flights before the festivities begin.

Waterbuck: This is a large, robust female antelope. Bulls have a shoulder height of 1.4 metres and can weigh up to 260 Kg. Cows are smaller than bulls. Waterbucks have a brownish-grey shaggy coat. The eyes and nose are patched with white, and there is a white collar under the throat. The rump has a characteristic white ring. The large rounded ears are a prominent feature. Only the bulls have long, forward curved horns. Both sexes emit a, not unpleasant, musky smell which typically lingers at resting sites.

With the weekend approaching, we’ll see fewer animals when a new influx of tourists arrives, often feeding them foods they love but are unfit for their health and well-being. This is sad.

That’s it for today, folks. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 13, 2015:

In Kauai, Tom spotted these two chickens. “Must have been a double yolker,” Tom clucked as I laughed. For more photos, please click here.