Whether you’re bird spotting in the wetlands, grassland or bush areas – this country has a wealth of bird-watching areas, you just need to know where to look.
Limpopo
The Nylsvlei Nature Reserve covers some 4000 hectares across the Nyl floodplain in Limpopo province and is known as one of South Africa’s most prolific birding sites. The area has been placed on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
While in Limpopo, birders mustn’t forget that the Kruger National Park also boasts over 500 recorded species of birds across various habitats – and is definitely worth a visit. Other notable regions include the Magoebaskloof where you get t
o sight the bat hawk and black-fronted bush shrike. The indigenous forests of the Soutpansberg also support significant birdlife.
Mpumalanga
In Mpumalanga, there is excellent birding in the Kruger National Park and along the Panorama Route which encompasses the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window. If you’re keen to sight the endangered blue swallow, then head off to the sleepy town of Kaapschehoop. Around the city centre of Nelspruit you’ll find the Lowveld National Botanical Garden and Nelspruit Nature Reserve, 2 great birding spots.
The Wakkerstroom region is also a very noteworthy birding site. According to Philip Harrison, author of South Africa’s Top Sites Eco-Travel (Spearhead), ‘Wakkerstroom is in the heartland of the proposed Grassland Biosphere Reserve, which has an unusually wide variety of birds, among them 10 of southern Africa’s threatened terrestrial species.’
KwaZulu-Natal
Some of the best birding spots in the country can be found in KwaZulu-Natal. The iSimangaliso Wetlands Park is an important region for marine birds. Mkhuze, Ndumo game reserves and the Dlinza Forest are also significant birding areas and the Ngoye forest is the only place to see the green barbet. Of course Hluhuluwe/Imfolozi is home to hundreds of bird species, as is the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and Sani Pass - home to some very fine raptors as well.
Northern Cape
For sightings of coastal birds, the mining town of Alexandra Bay has been recognised by the Ramsar Convention as a key birding site. It must be noted that the entire coastline that stretches from Alexander Bay to Port Nolloth is important when it comes to seabirds, and it is possible to see migratory artic species here in season.
A number of the national parks in the Northern Cape are also important birding regions, namely the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the Richtersveld, the Augrabies Falls National Park and the Goegap Nature Reserve.
Eastern Cape
Interestingly enough, some of the best birding in this province is said to be around the city of Port Elizabeth. The various river mouths and mud flats are the perfect habitat for marine species. Some of the best spots include the Gamtoos and Sundays river estuaries. Cape Recife Nature Reserve and St Croix and Bird islands are also notable.
Closer to East London, the Gonubie nature reserves and the Nahoon estuary are also worth visiting. Along the Wild Coast, the Dwesa Nature Reserve is an absolute must.
For inland sightings the Baviaanskloof, Mountain Zebra National Park, and the Addo Elephant National Park are also excellent birding spots.
Western Cape
The West Coast National Park is home to hundreds of marine species and this region is one of the best birding areas in the country. Note that there is a special Cape Bird Route on offer.
On the southern coast, Table Mountain National Park and The Harold Porter Botanical Gardens are 2 key birding spots. Of course, along the Garde
n Route there is a wealth of birdlife including sightings the Knysna turaco and the exquisite but rare narina trogon.
Gauteng
This province may be the economic and urban heartland of the country, but there are still some great birding spots. Notable birding sanctuaries include Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden home to the rare Verreaux Eagle or Black Eagle; Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary; Rondebult Bird Sanctuary and the Marievale Bird Sanctuary.
Free State
The area of Memel is considered one of the premier birding destinations in the Free State. It is home to more than 230 avian species with more than 15 of these species being on the Red Data List. Other significant sites include the Sandveld Nature Reserve, Willem Pretorius Game Reserve, Tussen die Riviere Nature Reserve and, if you’re keen on raptors, The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a good place to be.
North West
The Barberspan Nature Reserve in the North West Province is known as one of South Africa’s foremost birding spots. However bushveld areas such as Pilanesberg and Madikwe also boast spectacular birding. The area around Hartbeespoort Dam is also a popular birding region, and is not too far from either Gauteng or Pretoria.
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