Birding at Shongweni

Shongweni Dam and Game Reserve is home to over 220 species of birds - amazing bird watching for the keen birder- a particularly large number considering the proximity to Durban, KwaZulu Natal. This is due to the excellent variety of habitat types, from water to forest to grassland to classic thorn-veld.

White-backed Night Heron can be viewed from canoes and rock climbers can encounter Martial, Crowned and Black Eagle and even nesting Black Strols. Visitors on game viewing drives or trails may encounter the elusive Narina Trogon.

The excellence of Shongweni as a birding venue was recognised by its status as a venue for the 1998 International Ornithological Congress. Distinguished visitors to the Makangoma Bush Lodge included internationally renowned bird experts who often make recordings in the Game Reserve.

Inanda, Nagle and Hazelmere Resource Reserves all also have an excellent variety of bird species for the avid bird watcher.

Birding and Bird Watching at Albert Falls

With 280 bird species so far recorded at the reserve, Albert Falls Dam is considered an ideal venue for birders. This favourite spot for birders, with a good mix of habitats: thornveld, grassland and the expansive dam itself offers all kinds of water birds, African Fish Eagle, Secretary Bird.

Osprey can be seen regularly among the bigger species. Typical of the reserve are Darter, Reed and White-breasted Cormorants, Hamerkop, Little Egret, Goliath and Black-necked Herons, Spoonbill, Great White Egret, Sacred Ibis - all in or near the water. The rare Pelican can also be seen occasionally.

Thorn tree veld and dense scrub offers shrikes, scrub robins, barbets, woodpeckers and aloe-attracted sunbirds, orioles and bulbuls, Gymnogene and migratory kites, African Goshawk and Red breasted Sparrowhawk. Night drives yield owls and Nightjars.