SODWANAGO Bird Watching
Offers day trips to surrounding areas that are rich in bird life. Tours are tailor made to suit the birders needs and wants. All trips are exclusive and limited to one group. Snacks and refreshments are provided.
The Elephant Coast route
The Elephant Coast is situated on the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It stretches from St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay in the north, across to the Lubombo Mountains in the west and includes the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed natural reserve in Africa.
This route holds some of the richest bird viewing in Southern Africa, between the Umfolozi river and Ubombo Mountains, it includes the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Tembe Elephant Park and Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. The Kosi Bay lake system offers crystal clear waters, mangrove swamps and marshlands inside the reserve with 250 bird species including
the Pygmy Kingfisher and the African Finfoot to name a few.
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uMkuze Game Reserve
uMkhuze is considered to be one of South Africa's top bird watching destinations. Each of the diverse habitats within the nature reserve is said to have its own unique 'special' species. There are 450 species of bird recorded in the safari park.
Guests can go on a guided-walk through the fig forest near to the Nsumo Pan in search of the Palm Nut Vulture, Trumpeter Hornbills, White-eared Barbets, African Green Pigeons and Narina Trogons. Gazing up into the trees one might also spot a Pel's Fishing Owl. The waters of the Nsumo Pan are home to South Africa's only breeding colony of Pink-Backed Pelicans and a visit to the hide located there
can be very rewarding.
Lake Sibaya
This is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, and is separated from the Indian Ocean by a narrow strip of high forested sand dunes. There are not many places more enchanting for Zululand birding than along the pristine shores of Lake Sibaya. As a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, 279 avian species have been recorded here, many of them local rarities. Birds of note include the African Yellow White-eye, Pink-throated Twinspot and Woodward`s Batis.
Sodwana Bay
Sodwana Bay offers the bird watching enthusiast an oppertunity to view birds on foot. With Many trails converging here, one is able to , with a guide view many species of birds up close. The rare green malkoha can be spotted in the riverine forest as well as the Livingstone's turaco, just to name a few.
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
With more than 340 species recorded, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a great birding destination. There are several birding shelters in the park, and the viewpoint from Hilltop Camp is a great place to observe birds of prey, such as bateleur and martial eagle, soaring over the bush. Several pairs of southern bald ibis are known to breed within the park. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Kosi Bay
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is a tropical area with crystal-clear water. Approximately 250 species of bird this magnificent area contains marshland, wild date and raffia palms, mangrove swamps and fig forest.
Notable birds that can be spotted here are the rare and wonderful Palm Nut Vulture, Goliath Heron and the Narina Trogan.