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Umdoni Park
skznbs 12.4
Categories: accommodation; roadside attraction; trails
The outstanding forest birding on offer at Umdoni Park is one of South Africa 's best kept secrets. The estate is under the management of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. The name 'Umdoni' refers to the water berry tree present on the estate along watercourses and in the swampy areas.
Specials to look out for are Spotted Ground-Thrush, White-starred Robin, and Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler are winter visitors. Characteristic forest birds include, Black Sparrowhawk, Little Sparrowhawk, African Goshawk, Lemon Dove, Knysna Turaco, Purple-crested Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Green Malkoha, Narina Trogon, Trumpeter Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Olive Woodpecker, Square-tailed Drongo, Grey Cuckooshrike, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Brown Scrub-Robin, Ashy Flycatcher, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Southern Boubou, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike , Southern Tchagra, Black-bellied Starling, Grey Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Dark-backed Weaver, Swee Waxbill, Grey Waxbill , Green Twinspot, Red-backed Mannikin . An exciting recent colonizer is the White-eared Barbet . Magpie Mannikin and Purple-banded Sunbird are possibilities.
Directions
Travel on the N2 South from Durban towards Port Shepstone and take Exit 93 (Esperenza/Sezela). Turn left onto R102 at the top of the off-ramp and continue approx. 7 km towards Pennington. Turn right into Pennington Drive and after approximately 800 m turn right into Minerva Rd (look out for Umdoni Golf and Birdlife SA signs). Continue straight on to Gravel Road (Don Knight Ave) and through Security Control. Shortly after passing through the gates of the estate, there is fork in the road. The road to the left follows the coast along the edge of the golf greens to the golf course clubhouse. Take the road to the right to the picnic site if you wish to do a single days birding.
Additional Info
The estate is open from 06h00 to 18h00. Toilet facilities are available at the clubhouse or at Pennington only a few minutes drive away. There is an extensive network of trails through Umdoni and these can be started from either the club house, overnight cottages or the Wildlife and Environment Society's parking area.
No prior arrangements or bookings are necessary for day visitors.
Contact
-
Umdoni Park Golf Course
- Tel: +27 (0)39 975 1320