Some 275 bird species have also been recorded from the park and, although it is no longer permissible to hike, it remains one of the top birding hotspots on the central Karoo birding route. At least 2 days are recommended to cover the park thoroughly though it is suitable for a day trip from either Graaf Rienet or Cradock.

The entrance gate is roughly 1.5Km south of the R61 on a well-maintained gravel road. Check the plains on either side of this stretch for Northern Black Korhaan, which is common throughout the park, while Greater Kestrel is frequently seen on the telephone wires. Several small drinking pools at the entrance gate attract a variety of seedeaters including the Red-billed Firefinch, Southern Masked Weaver, Yellow Canary, Red-headed Finch and Scaly-throated Weaver. Watch out for Village Indigobird – a scarce resident in the park. The small dam to the left of the entrance can also be particularly productive and is best viewed from the offices. Inside the reserve, you are confined to your vehicle except at designated picnic spots and viewpoints, where it is possible to alight from your vehicle at own risk.

Most of the low-laying areas are covered by dry Karoo scrub, with the Ubejane Loop and Link Road being especially productive. Search for Eastern Clapper, Spike-heeled, Melodious, and Large-billed Larks and for both Nicholson’s and African Pipits. Eastern Long-billed Lark occurs, though the birds here appear strikingly similar to Karoo Long-billed Larks. Sickle-winged Chat co-occurs with Familiar Chat and caution is required to separate these two similar looking species. The endearing Rufous-eared Warbler is common, as is Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Lark-like Bunting, Black-headed Canary and Grey-backed Sparrow-larks irrupt into grassy areas in incredible numbers during the summer rains, especially when grasses come to seed. The Red-headed Finch and Scaly-feathered Weaver are also especially noticeable when grasses come to seed. Double-banded Courser is regular throughout the park, though the lower sections of the Sonnenrust 4×4 trail to the north are best for this species. Kori and Ludwig’s Bustards and both Northern Black and Blue Korhaans can be seen throughout the central regions of the park, the latter preferring grassy areas along the Link Road. Karoo Korhaan is surprisingly absent. The Juriesdam 4×4 through the east of the park deserves special mention as Pink-billed Lark and African Quailfinch are common along this route – though both species are seemingly absent from elsewhere in the park.

Acacia thickets occur along the many dry river gulleys, especially the Wilgerboomrivier which flows through the centre of the park. Pririt Batis, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Acacia Pied Barbet, Grey and Southern Black Tits, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Black-throated Canary, White-browed and Karoo Scrub-robins, Karoo Thrush, Cape White-eye, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler (Warbler), and Fairy Flycatcher are all fairly common in this habitat. Common Scimitarbill and Crested Barbet have both recently been confirmed for the park and appear to be becoming increasingly more common; search for these two species especially in the vicinity of the Ubejane Loop. The beautiful Golden-breasted Bunting regularly flushes from the roadside.

The south of Mountain Zebra National Park is dominated by the Bakenkop (1 957m) and Bankberg (1 927m) at much higher altitudes that the northern sections of the park. While it is no possible to access these peaks – where it is noted that Drakensburg Rockjumper occur – the Kranskop Loop takes one to higher altitude. Ravines and road cuttings in this section of the park should be checked for Buff-streaked Chat, Sentinel Rock-thrush, Layard’s Tit-babbler (Warbler), Ground Woodpecker, Pale-winged Starling, Mountain Chat, and African Rock Pipit. Grey-winged Francolin are also often heard from this section of the park.

Raptors abound in the park. Pale Chanting Goshawk is especially noticeable, often perching on exposed perches to survey the surrounding landscape. Several pairs of the impressive Verreaux’s Eagle nest inside the reserve and these stately birds are often seen soaring at midday. Jackal Buzzard, Martial, Booted and African Fish Eagles, and Gabar Goshawk are all fairly common.

Key species:

Blue Korhaan, Ludwig’s and Kori Bustards, Eastern Clapper and Pink-billed Larks, Drakensburg Rockjumper, Mountain Chat, Verreaux’s Eagle, Ground Woodpecker