Tembe To Kosi Road

This section of road from Tembe Elephant Park to Kosi Bay has three good birding spots on it.

1. Nyanyani Pan

This large seasonal pan is situated 8km before the village of Manguzi, and about 17km from the Tembe turn-off. It covers both sides of the tar road, but the southern side is more extensive.

This pan regularly holds thousands of waterbirds, especially the dry winter months (if there is water). Many egrets and herons such as Goliath, Purple, Great White, Little and occasionally Rufous-bellied occur and are very visible. Pink-backed Pelicans wander in after food, and one can normally spot at least two African Fish Eagles sitting on poles. African and Lesser Jacana are fairly common,Lesser Moorhen and Allen's Gallinule skulking in the sedges. Red-billed Teal, Hottentot Teal, Pygmy Goose, Cape Shoveller, Fulvous Duck, White-backed Duck and Spur-winged Goose,Rosy-throated Longclaw, Caspian Plover, Common Waxbill and Grey-rumped Swallow.

2. Manguzi Forest

This dry forest is a fine example of a sand forest which covered much of the area in the past.Traveling west from Manguzi, turn right exactly 1km from the main tar road/ police station turn-off. A sand track leads up through rural settlements. Follow a fence (on your left) for 500m and take the left split in the track. 600m later the track splits again - take the left fork. After 400m the track splits again, and again turn left. This leads straight into the KZN Wildlife Ranger's outpost, where permission must be obtained to enter. The reserve is accessible with a two-wheel drive vehicle in winter, but a vehicle with high ground clearance is recommended for summer.

Once parked, exit the gate on foot, turn left and follow the fence for about 15m. A track leads off into the forest where the Ranger's outpost fence ends. Follow this path through the forest, till you exit on the other side. On exiting, turn right and follow the fence back to the Ranger's outpost. Mixed parties, including Blue-mantled Crested and Paradise Flycatcher, Woodward's Batis, Forest Weaver, Eastern Nicator, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Brown Robin, Green-backed Cameroptera, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Collared Sunbird, Square-tailed Drongo,Eastern Olive Sunbird,Red-backed Mannikin, Lesser Honeyguide, Red-billed Firefinch, Green Twinspot and Yellow-breasted Apalis.

3. Kosi Forest Lodge.

Access is by 4x4, although a pick-up with high ground clearance will make it - the track is just sandy. To get there, turn off to the police station in Manguzi (25km after the Tembe turn-off). Drive around to the station, turning left just before it. There are signs to follow "Kosi Forest Lodge". Follow the dirt road for a few km's and turn left at the sign "Kosi Forest Lodge".The camp grounds are great for selected sand forest and coastal bush specials. Purple-crested Turaco, Green Twinspot, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Red-capped Robin Chat, Brown Scrub-Robin, African Broadbill, Golden-rumped Tinkerbird, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Grey Penduline Tit, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Nicator and Collared Sunbird can all be seen around the lodge. Wood Owl, Spotted Thick-knee and Fiery-necked Nightjar can be heard at night.African Finfoot, Green Pigeon, White-eared Barbet, Woodward's Batis, Livingstone's Turaco, Green Coucal, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Narina Trogon, Lemon Dove, Southern-banded Snake Eagle and Narina Trogon.