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Franklin Vlei
skznbs 8.3
IBA-SA082
Categories: roadside attraction; trails; guide; booking required
East Griqualand, comprising Matatiele Commonage and Mountain Lake, Queen's Mercy Wetlands & Cedarville Flats.
Matatiele is the most westerly town in southern KZN , flanked by the Drakensberg to the north and high-lying ground due south, rising to 2000m a.s.l. Most of the site is pure grassland, holding some extremely interesting and rare high-altitude grassland birds such as Rudds Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Short-tailed Pipit, African Rock Pipit and Mountain Pipit, as well as Cape Eagle Owl and Drakensberg Rock-jumper. Queen's Mercy has a good representation of water fowl and rails. The Cedarville Flats carries a stunning number of duck, geese and cranes (Blue, Grey Crowned and Wattled)
Specials to look out for are Rudd's Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Short-tailed Pipit, Rock Pipit, Mountain Pipit, Cape Eagle-Owl, Buff-streaked Chat, Orange-breasted Rock-jumper, Gurney's Sugarbird, Grey-winged Francolin, Black-winged Lapwing, Black Harrier, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Maccoa Duck, White-backed Duck, Red-breasted Sparrowhawk, Cape Vulture and Bearded Vulture.
Directions
Visitors should travel the R56 northwards from Kokstad over the van Niekerk's Pass, across the Cedarville Flats along the Umzimvubu River plain. Mountain Lake lies above and south of Matatiele, Queens Mercy Wetlands a few kilometers due west of town.
Additional Info
Mountain Lake birding is of the top order combined with very good trout fishing. Bookings for Mountain Lake via fishing club (Shane Sweetman 039-7374849) Mehloding Trail via Trust office.
Please note that to reach Mountain Lake you require high clearance on your vehicle. There is also a nominal entrance fee.
Mehloding offers trails with the option of combining birding interests with floral appreciation in a blend of natural and cultural heritage.
There is safe parking for up to 30 cars and there are toilet facilities available.
Contact
Mehloding Community Tourism Trust
- Tel: +27 (0)39 737 3289
- E-Mail: mehloding@telkomsa.net
- Website: www.mehloding.co.za