Capricorn-Letaba Birding Sites

Polokwane

This is the most westerly region of the CLBR that extends from Polokwane to the Wolkberg and Northern Drakensberg mountain Ranges. The area has an average altitude of 1300 masl and is the driest area of the birding route.

The habitat is characterised by open savannah with scattered Acacia and broadleaved trees and includes the Polokwane Plateau Bushveld and Mamabolo Bushveld vegetation types. Granite outcrops and riverine thickets provide diversity in the vegetation and bird species in this area.

The unique bird species to look out for, amongst almost 350 species in this area, include Short-clawed Lark, Northern Black Korhaan, Kalahari Scrub-Robin and Black-cheeked Waxbill. The dams and associated wetlands here, attract a wide variety of waterfowl and shore birds and regularly produce rarities like Pectoral Sandpiper or Western Marsh-Harrier.

	Polokwane Nature Reserve
	Although this reserve is best known as the most reliable site for the isolated eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark, it also provides excellent bushveld, thornveld and grassveld birding. The extensive road network, walking trails and bird hides expose the visitor to a variety of habitats which hold over 300 bird species.

	Polokwane Bird Sanctuary
	This small bird sanctuary, which consists of three large settling dams, dense reed beds and tall riverine thickets, is always likely to produce an interesting birding surprise or two.

	Victoria Place Guest House
	Situated in a tranquil, leafy part of Polokwane, this Victorian-style guesthouse offers exclusive bed and breakfast accommodation for the discerning birder. The 14 spacious and tastefully decorated en-suite bedrooms and 2 luxurious suites contain all the modern comforts.

	Turfloop Dam Nature Reserve
	This provincial nature reserve was originally proclaimed in order to protect the Turfloop Dam an its associated wetland habitats. It has now also become a protected breeding site for the northernmost population of the Southern Bald Ibis.

	Thabapashwa Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails
	The Thabapashwa Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails lie in a unique mountain range between Polokwane and Mokopane. The 2000ha farm is dominated by huge granite outcrops and provides a range of habitats. There is a combination of thornveld and broadleafed woodland as well as riverine areas along a couple of small streams that run through the farm.

	The Ranch Hotel
	This four star Protea Hotel is situated about twenty kilometres south of Polowkane. The hotel has large, well tended gardens that attract a host of birds in the dry seasons. Residents at the hotel have access to over a 1000 ha of Polokwane Plateau Bushveld and many farm dams on the hotel property and wildlife conservancy.

Northern Escarpment

This is the route's mountainous area and is made up by the Wolkberg and Northern Drakensberg mountain ranges, where the altitude reaches 2300 masl. The high annual rainfall of the area results in lush afromontane forest and rolling montane grassland habitats. Unfortunately most of the grasslands have been lost to commercial forestation, but patches of this unique habitat and its diverse inhabitants still occur around Haenertsburg and in the Wolkberg Wilderness Area.

These grasslands support a small population of Blue Swallow, as well as, Gurney's Sugarbirds, Malachite Sunbirds, Broad-tailed Warbler, Redwinged Francolin and Striped Flufftail. The afromontane forests are amongst the most extensive and beautiful in the country, with the Woodbush, Grootbosch, Swartbosch and Black Forest forming an interconnected band of pristine habitat along the eastern and southern slopes of the escarpment.

In these forests, look out for specials like Cape Parrot, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and African Crowned Eagle.

	Kudu's River Valley Drive
	This spectacular 30km dirt road between Houtbosdorp and Mooketsi drops down over the escarpment through bushveld and riverine habitats. On this road, you will descend about 1000 metres and be treated to fantastic views and an interesting mix of habitats.

Woodbush Forest Drive

This 14km dirt road is the best forest birding area in the Limpopo Province, if not the country. The Woodbush Forest Drive winds through pristine afro-montane forests, down into semi-decidious mixed forest along the lower sections of the drive. Cape Parrot, Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Orange Ground-Thrush, Brown Scrub-Robin, Grey Cuckooshrike, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher are simply a few of the specials to be seen on this road.

	Louis Changuion Trail & Haenertsburg Grasslands
	This scenic trail starts in the village of Haenertsburg and winds through 200 ha of protected afro-montane grasslands with forest patches situated above the village.

	Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge
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	Black Forest Mountain Lodge
	Black Forest Mountain Lodge is situated 4km west of Haenertsburg in the foothills of the indigenous "Black Forest'. This is the perfect base from which to do some weekend birding, as within a radius of 5km there is a good variety of habitats including Afro-montane forest and grassland.

	Kuhestan Farm Cottages
	Situated on the edge of the magnificent Afro-montane forests of Woodbush and Grootbosch, Kuhestan Farm Cottages provide an ideal base for birding enthusiasts to launch a trip along the Woodbush Forest drive.

Owl Cottage

Owl Cottage is situated on the southern edge of the Woodbush Forest. On this avocado farm, Phil and Tig have created a haven for birders. With their water features and bird feeders, they have managed to attract a variety of birds to the gardens around the cottage. This is arguable on of the best sites in Magoebaskloof to view the Cape Parrot, as up to thirty birds may come to feed on the pecan-nut trees in the garden during winter.

Cheerio Valley

The Valley covers nearly 100 ha of forest and includes the world-famous Cheerio Gardens with their Azaleas, flowering cherries and crab apples. Interestingly, these exotic gardens attract a remarkable array of forest and mountain birds, and a walk along the well laid out paths may provide sightings of Lemon Dove, White-Starred Robin, Barratt's Warbler, Orange Ground-Thrush and Green Twinspot. There have even been a few sightings of Bush Blackcap here.

	Magoebaskloof Hotel
	This three-star hotel is at the top of the Magoebaskloof Pass on the R71 between Polokwane and Tzaneen. It is flanked by Afromontane Forest, is close to Afromontane grassland habitats, and overlooks the sub-tropical Lowveld at the bottom of the valley, and is therefore particularly well situated as a mountain birding base.

	Debengeni Falls
	This spectacular waterfall is a popular picnic site for locals and visitors to the area. Grey Wagtail has often been sighted here. Even if this special is not there, it is worth visiting the Debengeni Falls to see Mountain Wagtail and other forest birds.

	Cair Paravel
	Cair Paravel Lakeside Cottages are situated in the scenic Stanford Lake area of Magoebaskloof and overlook a lovely wetland and dam which attract a good variety of waterfowl and other birds. The wetland is a good place to look out for the Dark-capped yellow Warbler, Golden and Thick-billed Weaver, White-backed and African Black Duck, African Jacana, Barrat's Warbler and African Marsh Harrier.

	Magoebaskloof Birders' Cottage
	Hidden away in the top of the Magoebaskloof valley, on a working organic farm, this cottage has wonderful views down into the valley and lush forest habitat. The farm is close to Woodbush Forest and adjacent to the Swartbosch Forest and Lesodi Trail.

Tzaneen

This area encompasses the lower reaches of the Wolkberg and Northern Drakensberg mountain ranges and the hot sub-tropical regions around the Tzaneen Dam. The altitude in this area ranges from 900masl to about 650masl, with the habitat changing from afromontane to semi-deciduous forest and lush tropical vegetation. Various rivers that originate in the escarpment flow into the Tzaneen dam, the largest body of water on the route, with the Letaba River being the most dominant and flowing out of the dam through the area.

This area is alive with birds; watch out for Purple-crested Turaco, African Green Pigeon, White-browed Robin-Chat, Broadbilled Roller and Half-collared Kingfisher. This area also has the highest concentration of confirmed Bat Hawk breeding sites in the country, with four nests. In this transition zone, between the afromontane and the true lowveld bushveld, birders have a chance of finding all sorts of surprise birds. Historical recordings of Blue-throated Sunbird and Blue-spotted Wood Dove exist for this area.

	Coach House
	This luxury 5-star hotel is in the ideal setting to explore the birding sites around Tzaneen, Litsitele and Agatha. There is a Bat Hawk nest less than 2km from the hotel and during the non-breeding season the birds are sometimes seen roosting in the eucalyptus trees on the hotel property.

	Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
	This provincial nature reserve, which includes the Eiland Holiday Resort, has many of the lowveld's best qualities including fine tracts of Mopane and red bush-willow woodland, riverine forest, saline patches and doleritic ridges. A stretch of 10 km of the great Letaba River forms the northern boundary of the reserve.

	Kings Walden
	Kings Walden is renowned for its beautiful Victorian gardens set on the edge of the escarpment with stunning views out over the Lowveld. This is an enchanting guest house to stay at or simply to spend time in the gardens. Sitated on the Agatha escarpment above Tzaneen, this property attract a mix of subtropical and montane bird species.

	Tzaneen Country Lodge
	This charming hotel, on 170 ha of a working mango farm is in the sub-tropical, mixed bushveld area that has produced a good variety of interesting birds through the years. Board-tailed Paradise Whydah and their hosts Golden-backed Pytilia are occasionally seen in this area.

The Lowveld

This is the most easternly section of the CLBR with an altitude of less than 650masl. In this area, with its Mopani woodland and sour bushveld, there is a host of birds not found anywhere else on the route. Special birds like Arnot's Chat, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Thick-billed Cuckoo and Stierling's Wren-Warbler can be found here.

More common species like Greater Blue-eared Starling, Woodland Kingfisher and White-crested Helmet Shrike will also only be found in this area of the CLBR. The Proximity to the larger conservation areas of the lowveld also makes this area good for the larger birds like raptors and storks. White-headed and Hooded Vulture and Bateleur Eagle are examples of the birds that you should continuously be scanning the sky for. The riverine areas along the Letaba River act as a conduit, drawing birds like White-backed Night-Heron, Saddle-billed Stork and African Openbill Stork into the area.

	Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
	This provincial nature reserve, which includes the Eiland Holiday Resort, has many of the lowveld's best qualities including fine tracts of Mopane and red bush-willow woodland, riverine forest, saline patches and doleritic ridges. A stretch of 10 km of the great Letaba River forms the northern boundary of the reserve.

	The Junction Club and Restaurant
	This is a well-situated refreshing roadside stop along the R71 between Tzaneen and Phalaborwa as it is situated right on the banks of the Letaba River under shady trees. It has a pub and restaurant which serves breakfasts and light meals.

	Legalameetse Nature Reserve
	This reserve on the escarpment of the Drakensberg, between Tzaneen and the Able Erasmus pass, has spectacular forest and rolling grasslands.

	Mafefe 4x4 Trail / Orie Baragwanath Pass
	This 45km route descends the Drakenberg Mountains following the Magabane river starting at Mafefe about 60km south of Polokwane and ends at Ofcolaco after travelling through the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve.