The bird life throughout the year is spectacular. It is home to large groups of crowned crane, sometime numbering several hundred and often mingling with the many wattled cranes that are never far from view. Bustards, both Denham and white-bellied, are common and secretary birds stalk the plains. The water birds are diverse in species and the sheer numbers are staggering.

Flocks containing hundreds of pelicans, egrets, spoonbills, yellow and open billed storks gather at the pans, which are often a white carpet of water lilies. The waders run around the shores of these pans keeping any birder occupied for hours. In December the resident birds are joined by many thousands of migrants passing through.

Other than wildebeest, there are zebra, tsessebe, red lechwe, oribi and steinbuck with (the less common) roan, eland and buffalo. The predators include curious hyena, large packs of wild dog, cheetah and a single remaining lioness that lives near the camp (two males are joining her in 2008). Sightings of side striped jackal, porcupine, a huge python and other specials always enhance the day.

Robin used to lead expeditions into the plains during the nineties but has not done so for ten years. He has never lost the yearning to return and will do so in December 2008 and May/June 2009. He will be based at the African Parks camp Matamanene Camp, a 3* camp providing the usual Robin Pope Safaris 5* service. Each safari will be 4 or 5 days, maximum of 6 guests if individuals, 8 if a single group.