Greater Johannesburg Birding Day Tour
Introduction
Johannesburg / 12 hours
Greater Johannesburg Birding Day Tour
Discover the rich avifauna of South Africa’s highveld on a full-day birding excursion through the Greater Johannesburg region. Spanning a diverse cross-section of habitats—from high-altitude grasslands and expansive wetland sanctuaries to rocky hillslopes and urban botanical gardens—this 12-hour guided tour targets a vast array of open-country endemics, waterbirds, and raptors.
Led by expert naturalists, the flexible itinerary can be customized to your specific target species and preferred pace, visiting renowned biodiversity hotspots such as Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, and Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
Marievale Wetland Sanctuary: Scan extensive reedbeds and shallow open pans for specialized wetland birds, including the African Grass Owl, Marsh Owl, African Rail, and migrant waders.
Suikerbosrand Grasslands & Ridge: Explore high-altitude grasslands and rocky ridges to target localized highveld endemics like the White-bellied Korhaan, Blue Korhaan, Melodious Lark, and Sentinel Rock Thrush.
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens: Visit the cliff faces and lush flora of this iconic reserve to view a famous resident breeding pair of Verreaux's Eagles alongside woodland and garden species.
Urban Parks & Indigenous Thickets: Tour rich urban oases like Delta Park and Melville Koppies for parkland, thicket, and woodland specialists, ranging from cuckoos and woodpeckers to vibrant waxbills.
Customizable 12-Hour Itinerary: Benefit from an expert-led, flexible 12-hour route tailored to your personal target list, photographic priorities, and preferred habitats across Gauteng.
Expected Weather
Summer is the rainy season and lasts from October to April, but usually takes the form of an afternoon thunderstorm, leaving the rest of the day clear and bright. While winter temperatures may occasionally drop close to freezing, the days are sunny and dry.
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 2°C (39.2°F) to 25.5°C (78°F) and is rarely below -1°C (30°F) or above 29.5°C (85°F).
Habitats Explored
Wetlands, altitudinal grasslands, rocky slopes, botanical gardens, parklands.
Target Rare Species: White-bellied Korhaan, African Grass Owl, Marsh Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle, Melodious Lark, Secretarybird, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Wattled Starling, Mountain Wheatear, Red-headed Finch, Black-faced Waxbill, Violet-eared Waxbill, Fairy Flycatcher, Blue Korhaan, Corn Crake, African Marsh Harrier, White-bellied Sunbird, Cape Teal, Blue-billed Teal, African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail, African Marsh Harrier, Little Bittern, Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Avocet, Sedge Warbler, Orange-breasted Waxbill, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Red-throated Wryneck, Black Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk. Cardinal Woodpecker, Thick-billed Weaver, African Black Duck, Karoo Thrush.
Important Information
Duration: 12 hours. Minimum 1, maximum 8 participants.
Medium-paced tour tempo. If you’re a keen photographer (so are we) there will be opportunities to capture species and moments.
Map
A. Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Nigel Delmas Rd, Greater Nigel, Nigel, South AfricaB. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort, 1724, South AfricaC. Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
R550, Heidelberg, South AfricaD. Delta Park
77 Craighall Rd, Victory Park, Randburg, 2195, South AfricaE. Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
4 Judith Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg, 2195, South AfricaPricing
What's Included
What's included
Guiding fees
Vehicle and fue
Tolls
Entrance fees
1 bottle of water per guest
What's not included
Meals
Drinks
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature
Flights
Accommodation
About Us
Sustain Safaris helps nature lovers explore their wildest dreams. We lead experienced global wildlife travelers on captivating and responsible expeditions to find Sub-Saharan Africa's rarest, most cryptic, elusive, and endemic species in the most extraordinary destinations.
We offer highly specialized nature tours and expeditions which will immerse you in unique destinations that showcase some of the very best mammal, bird, and biodiversity hotspots.
Guided by our passionate regional experts, you’ll encounter not only iconic species but also enjoy a holistic nature-based and cultural-based experience with comfortable to luxury lodging. Our small groups will also ensure a personalized experience throughout our journey together.
Sustain Safaris is not a volume operator. We go the extra mile, every time. We understand every client has unique needs and we offer bespoke itineraries catering for your preferences and budget.