Snipes, Swamphens & Shorbirds – A Birders Paradise
Just an hour from Johannesburg, Marievale Bird Sanctuary offers some of the best wetland bird photography in South Africa. This half-day tour is perfect for birders and photographers with limited time who want maximum species diversity in a short session. With multiple hides set in a compact, bird-rich environment, you’ll have close-range access to wetland specials like Blue-billed Teal, Black Crake, African Swamphen, African Rail, African Marsh Harrier, and three kingfisher species — Pied, Malachite, and Giant. Mornings provide soft light and active birds, but late afternoons can be equally rewarding. Whether you’re chasing lifers, rare shots, or a peaceful hide session, Marievale delivers a high-impact, low-effort experience just outside the city.
Day Tour Highlights
-
Multiple Bird Hides –Explore several hides for unique angles and up-close bird encounters.
-
Variety Of Photography Subjects – Shoot everything from shy rails to soaring harriers in one morning.
-
Half A Day Is Enough –Capture top wetland species and epic shots—no full day needed.
Detailed Itinerary
Marievale Bird SanctuarMarievale Bird Sanctuary
We’ll depart early morning from Johannesburg for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the renowned Marievale Bird Sanctuary—a wetland paradise that offers some of the best bird photography near Johannesburg.
Upon arrival, we’ll begin exploring a variety of bird hides, reedbeds, and open wetland areas, where we’ll be targeting iconic species like:
African Rail, African Snipe, Little Bittern, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Blue-billed Teal, Malachite Kingfisher, African Swamphen, Black Crake, and even Greater- and Lesser Flamingo when conditions allow.
Our slow-paced itinerary gives you ample time to set up for the perfect shot—whether it’s a perched African Fish Eagle, African Marsh Harrier in flight, or a kingfisher in action. We’ll also explore all six bird hides throughout the sanctuary, searching for Marsh Owl, Pied Avocet, Knob-billed Duck, and Goliath Heron.
As temperatures rise later in the morning, we’ll start wrapping up and enjoy a relaxed 1.5-hour return drive to Johannesburg—memory cards full and shutter fingers satisfied.
Traveler Reviews
-
Unforgettable experience - I can’t even describe how amazing this experience was!! Thanks so much Wian for making this possible. He always made sure I got the best angles of all the animals,... read more Ebner F
4 July, 2024 A great day of birding - I had a terrific birding tour in Gauteng with Wian as guide. He was very knowledgeable about species and habitat, delivering a most enjoyable day. I would recommend him. William Billy W
5 June, 2024 The best 1 day safari experience - Wian was such a surprise. As a person that has been to Joburg so many times with work, i always had less expectations from it. But Wian gave us the... read more BUZDUGANALEXANDRA
4 June, 2024
Prices & Info
1 – Birder
ZAR 4,699.00 P/Person
2-3 – Birders
ZAR 3,299.00 P/Person
4-6 – Birders
ZAR 2,199.00 P/Person
7-10 – Birders
ZAR 1,399.00 P/Person
Included:
- Professional Birding Guide
- All Entrance & Conservation Fees
- Transport (Pick-up & Drop-off)
- Bottled Water, Tea & Coffee
- Lunch
Not Included:
- International/domestic flights
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities
Payments & Refunds:
To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit is required. The remaining balance is due no later than 4 weeks before your scheduled tour date.
For bookings made within 4 weeks of the tour, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations:
-
If you cancel more than 4 weeks before your tour, you’ll receive a 50% refund.
-
Cancellations made within 4 weeks of the tour are non-refundable.
Videos & Webinars
Booking Form
Want To See What We’re Up To On Our Birding Day Tours?
We keep active bird lists on all of our day tours. You can see what past day tours have offered up on our eBird profile here:
Snipes, Swamphens & Shorbirds – A Birders Paradise
Just an hour from Johannesburg, Marievale Bird Sanctuary offers some of the best wetland bird photography in South Africa. This half-day tour is perfect for birders and photographers with limited time who want maximum species diversity in a short session. With multiple hides set in a compact, bird-rich environment, you’ll have close-range access to wetland specials like Blue-billed Teal, Black Crake, African Swamphen, African Rail, African Marsh Harrier, and three kingfisher species — Pied, Malachite, and Giant. Mornings provide soft light and active birds, but late afternoons can be equally rewarding. Whether you’re chasing lifers, rare shots, or a peaceful hide session, Marievale delivers a high-impact, low-effort experience just outside the city.
Day Tour Highlights
-
Multiple Bird Hides –Explore several hides for unique angles and up-close bird encounters.
-
Variety Of Photography Subjects – Shoot everything from shy rails to soaring harriers in one morning.
-
Half A Day Is Enough –Capture top wetland species and epic shots—no full day needed.
Detailed Itinerary
Marievale Bird SanctuarMarievale Bird Sanctuary
We’ll depart early morning from Johannesburg for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the renowned Marievale Bird Sanctuary—a wetland paradise that offers some of the best bird photography near Johannesburg.
Upon arrival, we’ll begin exploring a variety of bird hides, reedbeds, and open wetland areas, where we’ll be targeting iconic species like:
African Rail, African Snipe, Little Bittern, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Blue-billed Teal, Malachite Kingfisher, African Swamphen, Black Crake, and even Greater- and Lesser Flamingo when conditions allow.
Our slow-paced itinerary gives you ample time to set up for the perfect shot—whether it’s a perched African Fish Eagle, African Marsh Harrier in flight, or a kingfisher in action. We’ll also explore all six bird hides throughout the sanctuary, searching for Marsh Owl, Pied Avocet, Knob-billed Duck, and Goliath Heron.
As temperatures rise later in the morning, we’ll start wrapping up and enjoy a relaxed 1.5-hour return drive to Johannesburg—memory cards full and shutter fingers satisfied.
Traveler Reviews
- Excellent One Day Safari. - We had an extra day in Johannesburg and chose One Day Safari for a day trip. We booked a private full day safari with Wiam who picked us up... read more btravel2010
4 July, 2025
Prices & Info
1 – Birder
ZAR 4,699.00 P/Person
2-3 – Birders
ZAR 3,299.00 P/Person
4-6 – Birders
ZAR 2,199.00 P/Person
7-10 – Birders
ZAR 1,399.00 P/Person
Included:
- Professional Birding Guide
- All Entrance & Conservation Fees
- Transport (Pick-up & Drop-off)
- Bottled Water, Tea & Coffee
- Lunch
Not Included:
- International/domestic flights
- Visas
- Items of a personal nature
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities
Payments & Refunds:
To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit is required. The remaining balance is due no later than 4 weeks before your scheduled tour date.
For bookings made within 4 weeks of the tour, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations:
-
If you cancel more than 4 weeks before your tour, you’ll receive a 50% refund.
-
Cancellations made within 4 weeks of the tour are non-refundable.
Videos & Webinars
Booking Form
Want To See What We’re Up To On Our Birding Day Tours?
We keep active bird lists on all of our day tours. You can see what past day tours have offered up on our eBird profile here: