Birds of Eden Bird Sanctuary

The world’s largest single span aviary, just a few kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route, where birds are free to fly free provides an incredible experience for those who visit, and a wonderful way of life for over 2000 previously caged birds.

The completely unique venture of Birds of Eden is an enormous two hectare dome spanning a gorge filled with verdant, indigenous forest. Within it are some 100 species of incredible African birds, a few of them endangered that provide anyone entering the dome with a literal experience of paradise. There are 1.2 kilometres of wooden walkway to lead you through the beautiful place (unlike Monkey Valley, you don’t need a guide to take you through the refuge), over a river and behind a waterfall (part of the sanctuary’s mysterious ruin). Birds of Eden’s dome emulates thunder storms, complete with renditions of claps of thunder and short cloudbursts from the irrigation system in the dome structure.

The same group of people who created Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary that is just next door to Birds of Eden making a two-in-one day trip effortless, were behind the incredible project that provides a safe haven not only for birds and miniature monkeys, but for rehabilitated pet birds too.

But the overwhelming experience of being in the wild with hundreds of birds as they swoop, fly and call around you is what Birds of Eden is essentially about.

The park has seven dams, the largest of which has a floating bridge with seating at which you can order light meals; a 200-seater amphitheatre and a breath-taking canopy walk.

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Barberspan Bird Sanctuary

Regarded as one of the largest waterfowl sanctuaries in Southern Africa, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is a huge 2000 hectare body of water that is RAMSAR Convention-accredited, indicating its international importance for migratory birds and waterfowl.

The Barberspan bird sanctuary lies on the outskirts of the little known Delareyville, close to Vryburg on the N14 highway and roughly three hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Barberspan is the largest of a series of pans that lie in the fossil bed of the Harts River. The pan, which measures roughly 600 metres wide and 1 550 metres in length lies within the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary. More than 12 000 birds and over 365 bird species have been recorded here - the sheer numbers and diversity mean that the sanctuary is extremely popular with birders.

Part of the reason for so many birds is that it is one of the few permanent bodies of water on the western highveld, and during the dry months, provides food and shelter for these large numbers of waterbirds. It is home to, amongst others, flamingos, pelicans, grebes, terns, herons, cranes, ibis and bitterns, and all but one of the South African duck species have been sighted at the pans.

Power boats are not allowed in the pans and even canoes and rowing boats are restricted to the southern section, although birding from a canoe is particularly gratifying.

However the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is popular with anglers and several regional and national angling competitions are held here. One is allowed to camp along the angling shoreline and there are also walking trails.

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South African Birdlife

South Africa ranks as one of the top birding destinations in the world. An incomparable combination of variety of birds, first class South African hotels and accommodation facilities, an excellent network of internal airline routes and a multitude of South African car hire companies (including the large internationals) and a supportive avi-tourism industry makes South Africa one of the most desirable birding destinations in the world.

Birders from around the world come to experience both the great variety of typically African birds, migrants, and Endemic Birds. These birders enjoy excellent birding, whether they are with an organised commercial birding tour or are touring independently. Of the +/- 850 bird species recorded in South Africa, about 725 are resident or annual visitors, and 50 of these are endemic or near-endemic and can only be seen in South Africa. Apart from resident birds, South Africa hosts a number of intra-African migrants such as cuckoos and kingfishers, as well as birds from the Arctic, Europe, Central Asia, China and Antarctica during the year.

KWAZULU NATAL

The north-eastern part of KwaZulu Natal is one of the most species-rich areas of South Africa with a tropical feel and spectacular birds. Lush forests, marshes, freshwater lagoons, flooded grasslands, tidal estuaries and acacia woodland support an excellent array of birds. Specials of the area include Woodward's Barbet, Palmnut Vulture, African Broadbill, Neergaard's Sunbird, Rudd's Apalis, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Knysna Turaco, Livingstone's Turacos and Southern Banded Snake Eagle.

Birding facilities are exceptionally well developed in this region. The Zululand Birding Route is centred on Eshowe. Dlinza Forest in Eshowe has a forest boardwalk that takes you into the canopy from there you can observe species such as Delegorgue's Pigeon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Crowned Eagle and Spotted Ground Thrush.

WESTERN CAPE

The Western Cape is a much visited region with excellent birding and superlative scenery, the best whale-watching in the world and the possibility of seeing Great White Sharks. Apart from the pelagic trips which are good all year but best in winter, the Western Cape hosts a large number of endemics and the best wader watching in the country. The endemics include fynbos specials such as Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, Protea Seedeater and Hottentot Buttonquail. Cape Rockjumper is found on the craggy mountainsides. Knysna and Victoria's Warblers can be seen in the damper valleys and a variety of larks in the dry interior.

The West Coast National Park (which includes the Langebaan Lagoon) attracts massive numbers of waders from their Arctic breeding grounds during the southern summer and is particularly important for the Curlew Sandpiper. The Langebaan Lagoon is surrounded by the strandveld where Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan and a variety of smaller birds such as Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit and Layard's Titbabbler can be seen. Closer to Cape Town the Cape of Good Hope National Park offers excellent birding for species such as Hottentot Buttonquail and a variety of seabirds. The nearby Boulders Beach National Park at Simonstown has a flourishing African Penguin colony.

MPUMALANGA

The Lowveld is the low-lying tropical region in the north-eastern part of Mpumalanga largely taken up by the famous Kruger National Park and is bordered in the west by Drakensberg escarpment. These low-lying bush areas are home to large populations of South Africa's Wildlife and birds typical of such South African Reserves.

Raptors occur here in good numbers including Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Walhberg's Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Other large and noticeable birds include Saddlebilled Stork, Southern Ground Hornbill, Ostrich and Kori Bustard. Along the western edge of the Lowveld the escarpment supports many forest and cliff dwellers including Taita Falcon, Bat Hawk and Cape Parrot.

The Central Grasslands are a key area for birders holding a number of special grass- and wet- land species. One of the most visited towns is Wakkerstroom which is close to where Mpumalanga, the Free State and KwaZulu Natal Provinces meet. Wakkerstroom is visited by most of the birding tours that come to South Africa and as a result has excellenent birding facilities including resident tour guides.

GAUTENG

Even though Gauteng is the most heavily developed area in South Africa, Gauteng offers excellent birding. Around 350 different bird species can be seen within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, and a wide range of habitats are easily accessible. Of primary interest are Marievale, Suikerbosrand, the Magaliesberg Mountains, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens and the Dinokeng Bushveld area. Even within cities a great variety of birds may be found, and garden lists often exceed 100 species. Common species include Hadeda Ibis, Speckled Pigeon, Grey Loerie, Bokmakerie, Green Woodhoopoe, Black-collared Barbet, Olive Thrush and Cape Robin.

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