North-East Zululand (Elephant Coast)
We have divided the North-East Zululand Birding Route into five different birding areas. Each birding area has its own unique character and set of special bird species. Within each area there is also a variety of accommodation options and birding sites to visit.
Tongaland
Tongaland is the name of the north-eastern corner of Zululand, flanked by the Lebombo Mountains on the west, the Indian Ocean on the east and the Mozambique border in the north. Most of the region is drained by the Phongolo and Mkhuze Rivers, and is characteristically flat. The Phongolo floodplain runs from Jozini to the confluence with the Usutu River , and is dominated by pans, Lala palm savannah and bush clumps. Riverine forest lines some pans and streams. Coastal dune forest hugs the Indian Ocean, and numerous pans and lakes are scattered along the coast.
Tongaland is situated on the southern end of the sub-tropical coastal plain of the east coast of Africa, and therefore provides habitat for many species not found anywhere else in South Africa. Tropical stragglers, both marine and inland, are found every year, and include specials such as Crab Plover, Plain-backed Sunbird, Rosy-throated Longclaw and Livingstone's Turaco.
Ndumo and Tembe are world renowned birding destinations and are among the better places to view the shy Sand Forest specials such as Pink-throated Twinspot, African Broadbill, Neergard's Sunbird and Rudd's Apalis. Tembe is the only place in South Africa where Plain-backed Sunbird is seen regularly. Waterbirds such as Pygmy Goose and Lesser Jacana abound in the floodplain pans.
Kosi Bay, and the road to there, is an off-the-beaten-track spot with lots to offer. Mangroves, lala palm savannah, coastal dune forest and wetlands are the major habitats here, and birds such as Pel's Fishing Owl, Lemon-breasted Canary, Rosy-throated Longclaw and Black-throated Wattle-eye can be viewed.
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Ndumo Game Reserve |
Dumo Game Reserve is situated on the banks of the Phongola and Usutu rivers and lies adjacent to Mozambique on the northern coastal plain. Despite it's relatively small size (about 9000 ha), Ndumo Game Reserve is one of the most attractive reserves in southern Africa. |
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Tembe Elephant Park |
Tembe Elephant Park, under the custodianship of KZN Wildlife, is situated within Tongaland, in the extreme northern part of Zululand. Tembe borders on Mozambique in the north, and is named after one of the late local Tonga tribal leaders. The reserve is 30 000ha in size, and was proclaimed in 1983 to protect the elephants, sand forest and suni antelope. |
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Tshanini Community Nature Reserve |
This section of road from Tembe Elephant Park to Kosi Bay has three good birding spots on it. |
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Kosi Bay Nature Reserve |
Situated in the extreme north-eastern corner of the Kwazulu Natal Province of South Africa, Kosi Bay offers some of the most exciting birding opportunities in southern Africa to both local and foreign visitors. Kosi Bay comprises an estuarine lake system consisting of four inter-linked lakes holding varying levels of fresh and brackish water. The four lakes, Makhawulani, Mpugwini, Nhlange and aManzimnyama are fed by the Siyadla and Nswamanzi Rivers from the south and west respectively. At the northern end of the lake system, the estuary opens into the sea providing a relatively large area of open sandbanks, mudflats and some of the most diverse Mangrove swamps in South Africa. |
Sodwana
Situated between St. Lucia in the south and Kosi Bay in the north, the Sodwana route encompasses a wide range of habitas. From the Sand Forest and thornveld of Phinda to the lush, subtropical forests of Lake Sibaya; from the wetlands of Muzi to the palm savannah of Ozabeni, this region has a large number of Zululand specials on offer.
The Muzi Swamps area is a birders' paradise, with large numbers of waterbirds. It is here that many, herons, waders and ducks are recorded.
Ozabeni's Palm Savannah offers some exciting birding in unusual habitat.
Mbazwana and Sibaya offer coastal forest and grassland birding, and Sibaya has the addition of having open water, being South Africa's largest freshwater lake.
Specials recorded in the Sodwana Route include East Coast endemics such as Neergard's Sunbird, Rudd's Apalis, Pink-throated Twinspot and Lemon-breasted Canary. Also found are African Broadbill, Swamp Nightjar, Pel's Fishing Owl, Collared Pratincole, Black Coucal and Saddle-billed Stork.
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Muzi Pans |
Surrounded by rural villages and forest, the swamp is a typical coastal plain wetland with patches of sedge-marsh, open water, bare shores and some floating vegetation. It is situated on the Mkhuze River floodplain, between Mkhuze Game Reserve and Lake St. Lucia. The pan system becomes a major summer residence for palaeartic waders and some afro-tropical species. The densities and diversity of birds heightens dramatically during summer and regular birding trips here can produce in excess of 120 species in a summers day. |
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Sodwana Bay National Park |
Controlled by KZN Wildlife, this spot on the coast is very popular for holidaymakers. Good fishing and snorkeling/ diving has made this place a household name in South Africa. The reserve part is dominated by coastal forest, with the beach and ocean being additional habitats. |
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Lake Sibaya |
Lake Sibaya is the largest freshwater lake in South Africa and is separated from the sea by high forest covered dunes. |
Mkhuze
The Mkhuze area is a place of great beauty and high contrasts. World-renowned as a mecca for bird lovers (more than 400 species have been recorded here) the junction of the moderate and tropical climate zones creates a habitat suitable for an extraordinary variety of plants and animals. The Mkhuze area is renowned for a variety of localised birds including Pink-throated Twinspot, Eastern Nicators, Pels Fishing Owls and Neergaard's Sunbird.
The Mkhuze route also offers visitors a wide choice of accommodation with many private game farms and lodges in the area. The roads are all in a decent condition and can be negotiated with a sedan. Another drawcard for the Mkhuze area is its close proximity to the other large Zululand reserves. Also home to black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, hippo and crocodile, this area is predominantly flat and dry, with sandy red ridges which are ancient dunes. An astonishing diversity of natural habitats occur here, ranging from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo mountain range to the broad stretches of gently rolling acacia savannah, swamps and a variety of woodlands, sand forest and riverine forest. Mkhuze is also renowned for its seasonal and permanent pans with their attendant hippo, crocodiles and abundant birdlife.
The Birding spots along the Mkhuze Route Include Mkhuze Game Reserve, Leopard Mountain Game Lodge and Lebombo Game Reserve. Phinda is renowned for the game (Big Five) and bird viewing opportunities. With a bird list exceeding 300, who would argue?
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Lebombo Game Reserve |
This relatively unknown reserve lies between the impressive Lebombo Mountains and the Mkhuze River and covers a variety of habitats including riverine bush, thornveld, grassland and cliffs. The reserve is administered by KZN Wildlife, and was proclaimed in the 1980's to protect the many rare plants that grow around the mountain. The reserve lies from 90m to 595m above sea level, and stretches to the top of the Lebombo Mountains. |
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Leopard Mountain Game Reserve |
Leopard Mountain Game Reserve, winner of the 'Game and Nature Reserves' category in the AA Accommodation Awards 2001, is a 3500 ha natural heritage site of pristine bushveld, centrally situated in Maputaland between the Hluhluwe and Mkhuze Game Reserves. Their position puts them in the middle of South Africa's birding hotspot and within one hour of all the major Maputaland attractions including Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya and Ndumo Game Reserve. Within this area over 472 bird species have been recorded which makes Leopard Mountain one of the top birding spots in the country. Leopard Mountain has a diverse variety of habitats including the following: riverine forest, montane, grassland, dense thickets, broadleaf woodland, acacia bushveld. Added to this 16km of the Umsunduze River runs through the center of the reserve. |
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Mkhuze Game Reserve |
Mkhuze Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1912 and covers some 40 000 ha. This section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park rates as one of South Africa's favourite birding destinations and is one of Zululand's top 3 birding spots. Mkhuze also boasts one of South Africa's highest checklists for a protected area with over 400 species being recorded here. The main reason for this is the diversity of habitats included in the protected area. These include pans, swamps, acacia thornveld, sand forest, riverine forest and open woodland. |
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Lower Mkhuze |
Lower Mkhuze is a wetland floodplain system situated down-stream of Mkhuze Game Reserve, and includes Muzi Swamps (see Sodwana Bay Route). The area is controlled by KZN Wildlife, and forms part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mkhuze River crosses the main Hluhluwe- Sodwana road and heads into the Yengweni and Muzi Swamps area and ultimately filters into the northern end of Lake St. Lucia. Riverine forest (with leaning towards Fever Trees and Sycomore Figs), acacia thornveld and grassy wetlands typify the habitats and it is one of the few places where one regularly views Brown-headed Parrot and to a lesser extent – the elusive Pels Fishing Owl in the region. The combination of habitats makes for excellent birding throughout the year. |
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Phinda Resource Reserve |
Phinda Resource Reserve is a private game reserve of about 14 000ha. It borders Mkhuze Game Reserve on the west and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the east. The main attraction is the diversity of seven distinct ecosystems within the reserve that provide ample opportunity for great birding and also prime big game viewing. Game drives and walks turn up much more than birds with lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah, rhino and fantastic flowers, butterflies and frogs to be seen. Over 350 bird species have been recorded on the reserve. |
Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe derives it's name from a river named after the thorny monkey rope called umHluhluwe. The area is probably best known for the Hluhulwe-Umfolozi park which is internationally acclaimed for it's conservation efforts and is home to the big five: lions, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Hluhluwe Game Reserve is also renowned for it's abundance of raptors. In additon to this several top-rated birding spots are also along the Hluhluwe route, amongst them, Bonamanzi which is arguably on of South Africa's top birding spots with a huge variety of birding habitats and over 350 species recored on the property. The reserves on the western shores of Lake St Lucia, part of a world heritage site, offer abundant water and forest birding with great walking trails and breathtaking scenery.
The Hluhluwe area must be one of KwaZulu-Natal's busiest tourism areas and has an abundance of top quality accommodation facilities, from peaceful campsites to five-star game lodges. The roads are all in good condition and all birding spots can be accessed with a sedan car. Hluhluwe town has all the supplies that one may need when travelling including banking facilities.
The variety of bushveld and woodland birding found in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, combined with the natural wonders of the Lake St Lucia system and it's central position to the rest of the Zululand Birding Route make this an excellent area for the keen birder to spend time.
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Hluhluwe Game Reserve |
The Hluhluwe Game Reserves were procalimed in 1897 making this complex one of South Africa's oldest reserves, the birthplace of conservation in KwaZulu-Natal. Hluhluwe consists mainly of steep wooded hills, grass covered slopes and riverine woodland along the many rivers and streams. |
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Charter's Creek |
Charter's Creek is situated on the western shores of Lake St. Lucia, and within the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site. The spot is a popular holiday destination for birders and fishermen, and the reserve lends itself to relaxing birding. |
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Bonamanzi Game Park |
Bonamanzi is a self-contained wildlife and birders' paradise in close proximity to the St Lucia Wetlands Park and other world-renowned Zululand game reserves. Bonamanzi is considered to be one of South Africa's best birding spots with 350 species listed in the reserve. |
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Falaza Game Park |
Falaza Game Park is situated close to False Bay on the western shores of Lake St. Lucia. The reserve was established in the early 1990's and comprises 800ha of sand forest, bushveld, riverine forest, grassland and a dam. |
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False Bay Park |
False Bay Park is situated along the western shores of Lake St Lucia and forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park.Most of the 2 247 ha False Bay Park is covered with sand forest, woodland and mixed patches of open shoreline. False Bay Park also boasts one of South Africa's only Pink-backed Pelican colonies. Two main trails, the Dugandlovu and Mpophomeni trails, offer excellent opportunities to explore the fantastic birdlife in this area. |
iSimangaliso (St.Lucia)
St Lucia offers birders some of Zululand's best birdwatching. With over 420 Species recorded in the area, one can be assured of some great birding in one of South Africa's most bio-diverse areas. One of the great things about birding around St Lucia is the series of self-guided trails and hides. Birding on foot with waterbuck and reedbuck grazing in the background and hippos snorting from the pans makes for an extra special birding experience. The greater St Lucia Wetlands Reserve is a recently proclaimed World Heritage Site and one of South Africa's oldest reserves established back in 1895. It includes the conservation areas of the Eastern Shores, Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, Charters Creek, Fanies Island, False Bay, Phinda Resource Centre and Mkhuze Game Reserve (dealt with separately). The lake itself covers an area of about 38 000ha and is one of South Africa's most important waterbird breeding areas.
The Habitats are extremely varied from the Estuary and its Floodplains and Pans to Dune Forest, Sand Forest, Coastal thickets, Mangroves and Grassland (with flooded areas in the summer). There is also a group of excellent local guides based in St Lucia town, which if used will make finding all those specials and great trails that much easier !
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Eastern Shores |
The iSimangaliso wetlands reserve is a recently proclaimed world heritage site and one of South Africa's oldest reserves established back in 1895. The lake itself covers an area of about 38 000ha and is one of South Africa's most important waterbird breeding areas. The habitats are quite varied from the estuary and it's floodplains to dune forest, sand forest, coastal thickets, mangroves and grassland (with flooded areas in the summer)- all this allows for a wonderful selection of birdlife with over 420 species recorded in the area. One of the great things about birding around St Lucia are the self guided trails and hides. Birding on foot with waterbuck and reedbuck grazing in the background and hippos snorting from the pans makes for an extra special birding experience. |
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Monzi - Futululu Park |
Futululu Park is situated in coastal forest near Monzi, between Mtubatuba and St. Lucia. It is situated within the 1800ha Futululu Section of the Dukuduku Forest - and within the Greater St. Lucia World Heritage Site. |
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Lake Mavuya |
The Mavuya Estate was purchased by Sappi in 1989, and at that stage the entire lake was planted to sugar cane. This was achieved by the use very large pumps that pumped water out of the wetland and into a canal on the southern side, which effectively drained all water away from the wetland in an easterly direction into the Umsinduzi River. With the inception of the Sappi Environmental Policy in 1990, the canal wall was broken in two places, allowing for water to fill the lake once again. |