community bird guides
Michael Kumako
Michael is based at the Strydom Tunnel on the Abel Erasmus Pass at the site of the extremely rare Taita Falcon.
Michael starting guiding and acting as a guardian for the Taita Falcons in 1996 when Dave Rushworth, a local resident and keen birder, gave him an old pair of binoculars and became Michael's mentor.
In 2001, John Ison and Peter Lawson, keen birders in the Lowveld, arranged for Michael to attend a training course at the BirdLife South Africa training facility in Wakkerstroom. He has since been guiding local and international bird watchers to see, particularly, the Taita Falcons. Bushnell and BirdLife Inkwazi generously made a spotting scope available to Michael to improve his service to visiting birders.
In addition to the Taita Falcon there are a number of sought after species that Michael can show you including Southern Bald Ibis and Verreaux's Eagle.
Contact Michael: +27 (0)79 261 1559
Abednigo Mahbela
Abednigo Mahbela operates within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve having previously worked as an assistant at the Venden Farm Snake Park.
He currently works at the Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre conducting boat trips on the Swadini Dam. Abednigo attended the BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom in August 2007.
Abednigo can assist you in locating, amongst others, the African Finfoot and White-backed Night-heron.
Contact Abednigo: +27 (0)72 382 1846
Thabelo Sekome
Thabelo is currently based in the Mariepskop Forest area of the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route.
He is qualified as a NQF Level 2 Nature Guide and is the co-founder of the Mariepskop Mountain Adventure Guides. His interest in birds led to him attending the BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom in August 2007. Thabelo is a phenomenal botanist and often assist University groups as a field assistant
He can help you locate the Orange Ground- Thrush and Black-fronted Bush-Shrike in the Mariepskop Forest.
Contact Thabelo: +27 (0)84 955 2975
Morris Ngwenyama
Morris is based in Lulekani, Ba- Phalaborwa where he is employed as the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route, Environmental Education Officer.
He completed his BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom in August 2007 and has since completed the SADC Environmental Educators' Course with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) in Umgeni Valley.
Morris can assist in a variety of bird watching experience in and around Phalaborwa including a visit to the Grietjie Vulture Restaurant and the Sasavona Bird Hide.
Contact Morris: +27 (0)72 499 5823
Idah Lesufi
Idah is based at the magnificent Sefapane Lodge and Safaris (a Birder Friendly Establishment) in Phalaborwa.
She completed her BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Hoedspruit in August 2008. Idah has got access to the blast of bird life of the Sefapane property and the neighbouring Nursery Dam Bird Hide which teem with waders and the occasional crocodile and pod of hippos.
Contact Idah: +27 (0)72 088 2617
Blondy Mabunda
Blondy is based in Lulekani, Ba-Phalaborwa and has an enthusiasm for all things natural and wild.
She completed her BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom in August 2007. Blondy can assist in a variety of bird watching experience in and around Phalaborwa including a visit to the Grietjie Vulture Restaurant and the Sasavona Bird Hide.