KwaZulu Natal Tourist AttractionsNorth Coast Birding Route
Where? North Coast, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Overnight? Stay in Tugela, in KwaZulu Natal
The North Coast Birding Route is a sub-section of the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route, which boasts not only all three of the country's crane species (blue, grey crowned, and wattled) but also includes the rare blue swallow, the crowned eagle, bearded vulture, mangrove kingfisher and the southern bald ibis. And a lot more besides.
It is one of two major birding routes of the province. The other is the Zululand Birding Route.
The Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is extensive, incorporating beaches, forests, the Lowveld and the Drakensberg Mountains - a terrain of such extensive variety that it is not surprising to learn that it holds in excess of 550 bird species.
Which is why the route is subdivided into five shorter routes, making it easier for bird lovers to follow and to easily divide up to suit itineraries.
Between Ballito and Mtunzini are a series of forest, woodland, wetlands and grassland. But its strength is the quality of the forest birding. Many of the areas are only accessible with a guide.
Highlights include:
• Dlokwane Forest is a rare example of climax coastal lowland forest. Look out for specials and small raptors
• Nonoti Estuary - a wide variety of wetland habitats that continues on the Nonoti Floodplain with some surprises if you are patient
• Amatikulu is a beautiful reserve conserves some of the largest remaining coastal grassland and palmveld; plenty of little and white-fronted bee-eaters and croaking cisticolas, whilst the forest, bush and wetlands reveal even further delights like the swamp nightjar and bat hawk.
