Date: 1/4/26 8:57 am From: Dana Greeley via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] OT: South Africa birding
Saw your post below and here's my 2 cents. I was last in S Africa in April of 2018. I flew into Durban, rented a car and drove from Durban up to St. Lucia and back. I birded 3 days with Themba and highly recommend him as an incredibly knowledgeable guide! Here's a link to contact him if you like: https://www.stluciabirding.com/
Before that trip I flew into Cape Town, years earlier, March of 2009. I stayed in the cape town area and though I hiked down table mountain, I didn't go on any guided birding trips.
Both times I had no problems with crime or theft. Both times I was solo for much of the trip. I think the usual advice about not flashing your expensive binoculars and cameras when in the urban grittier places is well advised. AND, though I know of a guy who was robbed in Cape Town, I personally had no problems.
I was more scared of meeting big game or a snake when hiking in the parks by myself. Lots of hippos at night in St. Lucia!
-Dana Seattle/ La Conner djgreel1 at gmail dot com -------------- Message: 4 Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2026 03:24:24 +0000 Subject: [Tweeters] OT: South Africa birding
Hello Tweets,
A friend has invited us to accompany him to South Africa in September. He?s not a birder, but would be willing for us to take some birding days while there. I believe he?s thinking he'll plan things himself rather than hire a tour guide/company. So, a couple of questions for those who?ve been there in recent years:
The State Department has some pretty unnerving risk alerts for SA, which make me wonder whether it?s actually a good destination in current times, or whether it?d be better to wait until it seems safer. If you?ve been there, either on your own or with a tour company, I?d be interested to hear how safe you felt.
In terms of birding, are there companies or guides you would recommend for outings?
