Menunkatuck Audubon: Under South African Skies

The southern tip of Africa is one of the greatest biodiversity hotspots in the world and attracts birders, botanists and mammal enthusiasts from around the globe. With a diverse array of endemic birds, classic African mammals, and a rich, unique botanical heritage, the multi-ethnic nation of South Africa stands out as a compelling destination for nature enthusiasts.

The Cape Peninsula, often called the “Jewel of South Africa,” offers stunning, wild, rugged scenery that is home to penguins, ostriches, several types of antelope, and the unique “fynbos” vegetation. Further inland, the world-renowned Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves and hosts lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and more than 500 bird species.

This program chronicles a journey from the Cape Peninsula to Kruger National Park, featuring vivid photos of birds, animals, and stunning landscapes. It describes what it’s like to travel through this diverse and sometimes distinctly un-African country.

Gina Nichol has been a naturalist and birder for over thirty years. She first developed an interest in the natural world while growing up outdoors in rural upstate New York. In 2005, Gina founded Sunrise Birding, LLC to provide personalized, authentic, and affordable private and small group birdwatching and wildlife tours worldwide.