Southern Kwazulu-Natal Birding Routes

         

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Midlands Birding Route

The Midlands Birding Route is the most Northern component of the Southern KZN Birding Route. Starting in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the location of the world famous Giants Castle Vulture Hide, the route finds its way down from the sandstones cliffs, basalt precipices and buttresses, through the foothills of the Drakensberg and into the picturesque rolling hillsides of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Another fascinating attraction on the Midlands Birding Route is the Karkloof Crane Information Centre. The beauty of the centre's location is truly something to behold and birders have the opportunity to see all three Crane species in one outing. Other key Midlands birding attractions include some of the most reliable sites for Cape Parrots and Blue Swallows.

South Coast Route

The South Coast Birding Route comprises of a variety of habitats from coastal and wetland environments to forest, woodland and grassland. Above all it is the forest birding to be had here that is unparalleled. Southern Africa has two distinct forest avifaunas, namely the Afromontane forests and the rich tropical forest community that extends down the coast. It is only in the region of the South Coast Birding Route that these two diverse forest assemblages overlap and for this reason birding in this area is extremely profitable. Specials including the northern most population of Knysna Woodpecker and other highly sought after species such as Magpie Mannikin and African Broadbill.

Sisonke Route

The Sisonke Birding Route lies inland and to the South West of the Midlands Birding Route . Once again the source of this route is found in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the majestic Sani Pass where birders get the unique opportunity to view birds in a rugged and stunningly beautiful environment, consisting of five different habitats and ranging in height from 1600m to 3200m. The heart of this route lies in the lowlands below the Sani Pass where you will find beautiful nature reserves and large tracts of pristine mist belt forest and grassland. The Sisonke Birding Route is also home to the exciting new Marutswa Forest Boardwalk on the outskirts of the quaint country village of Bulwer . This section of the route holds an amazing aray array of highly sought after endemic species such as Drakensberg Siskin, Drakensberg Rock-jumper, Gurney's Sugarbird and Cape Vulture .

eThekwini Route

The eThekwini Metropolitan Area (Durban) is a major harbour city situated on the east coast of South Africa and offers a variety of prime birding spots and a species list in excess of 400. These spots cover such habitats as coastal lowland forest, wetlands (both fresh water and estuarine), coastal scarp forests, grasslands and bushveld. In addition, the eThekwini Natural Science Museum has world class ornithological displays and collections. Durban is well known for it's variety of waders and marine species, often turning up rarities such as Common Black-headed Gull.