While our main focus at Sabi Sands was photographing the big cats, the birdlife added another special layer to our safari experience. Leopards and lions may have been the stars of the reserve, but the birds of Sabi Sands constantly caught our attention during game drives.
Our guides were always happy to stop for birds whenever we asked. They would often point out species hidden in the trees or perched beside the tracks that we may otherwise have missed. Although we saw many of the same birds during our Kruger National Park safari drives, Sabi Sands gave us a few exciting new species to add to our growing bird list.
The lilac-breasted roller quickly became my favourite bird from our South African safari adventure. Their incredible colours almost look unreal in the African sunlight. A close second would have to be the oxpecker. These tiny birds spend their days riding on large mammals, feeding on ticks and insects while helping keep the animals clean.
Birds Seen at Sabi Sands
During our safari drives in Sabi Sands, we photographed a wonderful variety of bird species including:
- African goshawk
- Bennett’s woodpecker
- Burchell’s starling
- Grey heron
- Lilac-breasted roller
- Magpie shrike
- Oxpecker
- Red-crested horhaan
- Verreaux’s eagle-owl
- White-backed vulture
- Yellow-billed hornbill
- Red-billed hornbill
Each sighting added something unique to our safari experience. Some birds were perched quietly in the trees while others were spotted beside watering holes or soaring overhead searching for food.
Favourite Bird Encounters in Sabi Sands
Lilac-Breasted Roller
The lilac-breasted roller is one of the most photographed birds in southern Africa, and it is easy to understand why. Their brilliant mix of purple, turquoise, green and blue feathers made them stand out beautifully against the dry bushveld backdrop.
Oxpeckers
Oxpeckers became one of my favourite safari birds because of their personality and behaviour. Watching them hop across giraffe and other animals searching for ticks was both entertaining and fascinating.
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
Seeing a Verreaux’s eagle-owl as we were returning to the lodge after dark was another highlight. These large owls are incredibly impressive with their striking pink eyelids and piercing eyes.
Bird Photography in Sabi Sands
Photographing birds in Sabi Sands was both rewarding and challenging. Birds are often much smaller and faster than the larger safari animals, which meant quick reactions and patience were essential. The soft early morning light and golden afternoon sunsets created beautiful conditions for bird photography during our drives.
Although there were many more birds that we encountered along the way, I did not manage to capture clear photographs of all of them. Even so, they remain an important and memorable part of our South African safari adventure.
Final Thoughts
Sabi Sands may be famous for its leopards and lions, but the birdlife should not be overlooked. From colourful rollers to majestic owls and helpful oxpeckers, the birds of Sabi Sands added colour, character and unforgettable moments to every safari drive.
If you enjoy bird photography or simply appreciate wildlife, the birds of Sabi Sands are every bit as rewarding as the reserve’s famous big cats.
All the images in this post were taken using my Lumix G9II. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me through my website, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.