Overview

With over 600 species recorded, Zululand is Southern Africa's Birding Hotspot. There is a range of great birding sites that willl excite the most experienced birders. Diverse habitats such as forest, grassland, wetland, bushveld, mountains,estuarine coastline and open ocean make Zululand a "must visit" region for any birder.

Game reserves like Ndumo, Mkuze, uMfolozi and others provide some of the richest birding and game viewing in the world. A scarp forest overlooking the Indian Ocean, Ongoye Forest, is the habitat of the Green Barbet, the only place to see this bird in Southern Africa. The forest harbours its own endemic mammal, the Ongoye Red Squirrel.

At Eshowe, the traditional capital of Zululand and Gateway to the Zululand Birding Route, is the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk. A 125m walkway starts in the forest understory and is soon in its leafy canopy, giving visitors a close glimpse of life high above the forest floor. The 20m high viewing tower which emerges above the trees provides excellent opportunities for bird viewing and photography. Other excellent birding spots abound in and around Eshowe. The nearby coastal town of Mthunzini with its grove of raphia palms, is the habitat of the rare Palmnut Vulture, amongst many other species, and is well worth visiting.

Some of the other sought after species to be found include:

Martial Eagle, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Southern Ground Hornbill, Green Twinspot, Half-collard Kingfisher, Pels's Fishing Owl, Mountain Wagtail, Purple-banded Sunbird, Southern Bald Ibis, and so the list goes on.....

Additional information:

Birding tours are flexible, and can be part of a customised package tour which may include other interests such as game viewing, Zulu Culture, Battlefields or other experiences including hiking, camping, photography and Zululand Outback Tours, all of which go hand in hand with birding.

Price of 3 day tour below : R3750 per person

Itinerary:

A typical 3 day birding tour could be:

Day 1 : We depart from Durban and head up the North Coast to Zululand. First stop is Amatikulu Nature Reserve where we check in to our booked accommodation of safari tents (2 x beds each) on raised wooden platforms, set into lush forests and adjoined to the communal kitchen, dining room, sun deck and ablution block by boardwalks. The reserve is situated 100kms from Durban and occupies 2100ha along the coast, at the confluence of the Inyoni and Amatikulu rivers, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The camp is electrified and clean bedding, cutlery, stove, and refrigeration is provided. You need only unpack your personal effects, drinks and food.

We spend the available daylight hours today exploring the reserve on foot and/or by Land Rover along the 4 x 4 vehicle trail or hiking trails, with the tidal estuaries, acacia woodland and lush forests all supporting abundant birdlife and small game, which we set out to find until sunset.

After a hearty meal prepared in the camp kitchen, we enjoy a period of relaxation with a sundowner in hand around the camp fire, discussing the events of the day and the plan for tomorrow Then we retire to bed and doze off to a peaceful sleep, to the sounds of nature and perhaps the call of a Natal Nightjar, with the waves of the Indian Ocean splashing on the nearby beach. Who knows, you may be visited by an owl or two.

 Day 2 : We awaken to the call of the African Fish Eagle and other birds, and marvel at the beauty of the sun at daybreak, reflecting on the Indian Ocean to the East. Its time for coffee and rusks. The aroma of coffee being brewed in the kitchen stirs you into life. Whilst breakfast is being prepared, there's still time left for some early morning birding in the camp surrounds, where you are bound to be joined by a Natal Robin or two, flitting about in the forest undergrowth. Remember to keep your tent entrance well zipped up, or the ever inquisitive vervet monkeys may just take a liking to your hospitality.

After breakfast we proceed further Northwards to the town of Eshowe, the traditional capital of Zululand. Eshowe offers a variety of unusual attractions, including the Dlinza forest with its hiking trails and Aerial Boardwalk, where we make our first stop today to take advantage of the early morning hours for some birding. This forest is the habitat of the Green Twinspot, Narina Trogan, Spotted Thrush and Delegorgue's Pigeon, to mention but a few.

Next, you are checked in at your lodgings in Eshowe, and then we proceed to visit the birding gems in and around Eshowe. We visit the two municipal dams which, depending on the season, offer sightings of Yellowbilled Duck, Fulvous Duck, African Black Duck, Hottentot Teal, Giant Kingfisher and many other water birds. This takes us to lunchtime and we enjoy lunch at Adams Outpost in the Fort Nongqayi Museum Village. Adams Outpost is a relocated corrugated iron settlers house with a reataurant and tea garden offering excellent food and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere. You may use the opportunity after lunch to tour the museum village, which will give you an insight into some Zululand History and Zulu culture.

For the afternoon session we set off to uMhlatuze Dam. This is a large dam near Eshowe which offers some excellent birding on its shores and surrounding thornveld. The world renown Shakaland Zulu Cultural Village overlooks the dam, and for a remarkable experience, taking you back to the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, you may decide to enjoy some late afternoon and early evening entertainment and supper at Shakaland before returning to Eshowe. The decision is yours.

Day 3 : We make an early start right after breakfast and set off to the coastal town of Mthunzini and the Ongoye forest.

At Mthunzini we search for the rare Palmnut Vulture amongst the groves of raphia palms. The raphia palm fruits are an essential part of the diet of the Palmnut Vulture. We have our binoculars and cameras ready to make a sighting and photograph this much sought after bird, amongst many others in the area.

Our next stop is the Ongoye Forest, situated on a high ridge parallel to the Indian Ocean and is a "must" for the discerning nature lover. Home to the rare and endemic bird, the Green Barbet, found only in the Ongoye Forest. Other species include the Yellow-streaked Bulbul, Striped Pipit, Green Twinspot, Crowned Eagle and many more. It is one of the few forests that harbours its own endemic mammal, the Ongoye Red Squirrel. We take a drive through the grasslands between the forest which are the habitat of several species of birds, and also drive to various parts of the forest and take short walks along the forest footpaths searching for the Green Barbet and many other species, with an eye open for the Red Squirrel.

Its now time for a picnic lunch in this wonderful forest.

Sadly, this brings us to the end of our tour. We now depart for your pick-up point in Durban, which we reach in the late afternoon of the 3rd day.

Things to bring: Personal effects, towels, soap, sun block, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and things that birders carry...

Inclusions : Registered guide, Transport for tour, Accommodation, entry fees to sites visited, Passenger Liability and Public Liability Insurance.

Exclusions : Cost of optional visit to Shakaland, Personal travel and medical insurance, alcoholic beverages, private telephone calls, laundry.

Cancellation policy : Cancellations between a week and 48hrs prior to departure date : 50% of total amount plus any admin fees levied.

Cancellations less than 48hrs prior to departure date or no-show : 100% of the total amount.