[birdky] FW: Natural History Safari to South Africa - Horticultural - Orni thological - Geological - Cultural

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Hello all:
A friend of mine asked if I could post the following for him.
 
Shawchyi Vorisek, Frankfort, KY
 
 

 

Ntaba Tours  

 

Ntaba Tours looks forward to sharing what undoubtedly will be a lifetime
experience for you

Natural History Safari
to South Africa
Horticultural - Ornithological - Geological - Cultural



August 23rd to September 6th, 2005

  

Tour Price: $2,350.00 for 12 Nights and 13 Days, excluding Airfare
Airfare: $1,370.00 Round Trip from Atlanta to South Africa 
and all air travel within South Africa*
*The cost of the Airfare is subject to change - depends on airline price at
time of booking

Be my special guest and explore South Africa's rich and exotic bird life
with me, Rob Mountain.



I was extremely blessed growing up in South Africa on a large farm on the
banks of the Rietvlei Dam, surrounded by a nature reserve. My parents
introduced me to Birding at a very young age and we were members of the
South African Wild Life Society. We went on many birding outings and I had
the privilege of being taught by some of South Africa's most renowned
ornithologists. I later became a member of The Vulture Study Group of South
Africa. I spent many hours watching the birds of the Highveld region. I not
only learned their names but also learned to imitate their calls. I would be
woken in the mornings by the call of Africa's most majestic eagle, the
African Fish Eagle.  While eating breakfast I would hear to unmistakable
call of the Crested Barbet going off like an alarm clock that had no snooze
button. On a typical day I would see flocks of Helmeted Guineafowl running
in the open grasslands, and Yellow-Throated Longclaws perched precariously
on large anthills. Then there was the Fiscal Shrike - commonly called the
"Jackie Hanger". This name was derived from the fact that these birds impale
their prey on anything with a sharp point to it. Black Shouldered Kites,
Forked-Tailed Drongos, just to mention a few of the wonderful endemic South
African birds that we would see during the day light hours. As the sun would
set the Red-Chested Cuckoo would utter a loud often-repeated
"weet-weet-weeoo", referred to by the Afrikaans speakers as saying 'Piet my
vrou".  Then at night we would have the Fiery-Necked Nightjar break the
silence with its plaintive, descending, six-syllabled "good Lord
deliiiiiiers us" call.

I have not even touched the tip of the iceberg so to speak but I hope that I
have aroused a desire in those of you who have a passion for Birding to join
me as I lead groups of American Birders to the country of my birth. Southern
Africa boasts a total bird list of more than 900 species, which exceeds 10%
of the entire world's total.

I am aware that I will encounter many Birders whose knowledge and expertise
in this field far exceeds my own. However, as a South African now living in
the USA and an avid birder, I understand the needs of 'birders' and I
appreciate the different techniques that need to be applied in organizing
and conducting successful Birding tours and safaris in South Africa. I am
also very familiar with most of the game that we will encounter in the Game
Reserves. I speak several languages, namely English, Afrikaans, German, and
Zulu.  This sure helps when getting around.

Ntaba Tours caters for the CASUAL BIRDERS - those who enjoy birding at a
sedate pace, but also seek to experience the Natural History and further
beauty and splendor of South Africa around them. We also cater for the
ARDENT BIRDERS - up before dawn and only Birds all day. 

What is South Africa? - "A World in One Country" is what South Africa is
described as.  At the southernmost tip of Africa lies a destination like no
other.  It is a land of unmatched contrast and unequaled beauty.  Here
you'll mix with a cultural mosaic of proud people who'll collectively
welcome you with a warmth that matches the enviable climate of this sunny
land.  

I am a member of National Audubon Society as well as American Birding
Association.

Ntaba Tours looks forward to sharing what undoubtedly will be a life time
experience for you.



With every deposit paid for any one of the Birding Tours, a package will be
sent to you containing the book "Sasol Birds of Southern Africa" by Ian
Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, as well as a checklist for the
areas that we will be visiting, and other relevant information to make your
birding more enjoyable and successful with David Nkosi and I.

Contact us 

Ntaba Tours 

Toll Free: 1-866-GO-NTABA (1-866-466-8222)
Phone & Fax (502) 848-0626
Email: mountain@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:mountain@xxxxxxxxx> 

Check out our web site at www.ntabatours.com

 

"Ntaba" is the Zulu word for "Mountain"

               

Rob and Stella Mountain

   Brief Itinerary 

*       The Brenthurst Gardens, owned by the Oppenheimer family 

*       Sterkfontein, one of the world's most significant and productive
palaeoanthropological sites 

*       Constitution Hill, Johannesburg 

*       Lowveld Botanical Gardens, great opportunity to get close to birds
endemic to South Africa's moist savanna region 

*       Safari in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga - your chance to see
the "Big Five" (Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Elephant) and a
great diversity of geology, plant, soil, and bird species   

*       West Coast National Park - Game, Birds, Whale watching 

*       Namaqualand - Several localized endemics such as the Cape Rock
Jumper, Victorian's Warbler and the Protea Canary 

*       Cape Peninsula, Penguin Colony, Waders, Skuas, Gulls, Terns, African
Black Oystercatchers. 

*       Cape Town's Waterfront 

*       Table Mountain 

*       Kirstenbosch, the most famous South African botanical garden, also
with an absolute wealth of endemic bird species 

*       Wine Tour in the Western Cape Winelands 

*       Visit to historic university town of Stellenbosch 

*       Excellent Birding, guided by professional and registered
ornithological guide, David Nkosi 

 



 

David Nkosi

 

"A Zulu, I was born in the heart of Zululand between Utrecht and Vryheid in
the rolling grasslands of the Natal Midlands. With my parents I moved to a
farm on the Amersfoort road some 8 km from the little hamlet of
Wakkerstroom. While I was a boy I probably played amongst the Rudd's Larks
territories without knowing what they were. I helped my father - a stock
warder - watch over the cattle and goats. Because there were no fences we'd
have to stay with the stock all the time and I would hunt birds to eat,
learn about finding nests and watch where they went and how they behaved.
Remarkably, this was to help me later in life when birds became my work."
David specializes in southern Africa and Madagascar. He is a superb birder,
young and enthusiastic, with a great personality and lots of fun stories. He
has his FGASA qualifications and is a certified guide. Because he is Zulu he
brings a piece of real Africa with him; you will love him.

 

Siyabonga -Thank you

 

 




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