Fish River – Kap River Nature Reserve
About the Birding
The tiny 670 hectare Kap River Nature Reserve is situated between the Great Fish and Kap Rivers, roughly 28km from the coastal village of Port Alfred. The conservancy protects lush sub-tropical forest, coastal thicket and reclaimed agricultural pastures and is home to over 300 species of bird as well as a handful of introduced herbivores. Hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, angling, and picnicking are all permitted – rendering this a pleasant and easily accessible hotspot to visit within the Greater Fish River system.
About the Birding Site
The Great Fish River is the Eastern Cape’s largest river system, running 644Km from source to mouth and draining a basin of some 30 366Km2. Originating to the east of the Karoo town of Graaf Rienet, the river runs past Cradock and Grahamstown before finally entering the Indian ocean near Seafield. Its main tributaries include the Groot Brak, Tarka, Kap and Little Fish Rivers with supplementary input from the Orange River through the Orange-Fish River tunnel system.
Other Related Information
Directions:
To reach the Kap River Nature Reserve, travel east from Port Alfred in the direction of East London along the R72. Roughly 1km before the road crosses the Great Fish River, turn to the left along the unpaved road. The gate to the conservancy is located under 1km along this road, as you cross the Kap River.
To access Fish River Mouth, turn to the right immediately before the bridge over the Fish River and follow the gravel road along the edge of the estuary and salt marsh.
Key species:
Striped Pipit, Half-collared Kingfisher, Crowned Eagle, White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot, Knysna Woodpecker
Contact details:
BOOKINGS
Bookings can be made by contacting the reserve manager Mark Dixon on:
Cell - 074 634 4072
Office - 046 604 5527
Email - mdixon@ndlambe.gov.za
or if unavailable through the municipal office on 046 604 5500; just ask the switchboard operator for Kap River Nature Reserve bookings.
On arrival at the reserve, the following Staff can be contacted:
Eunice: 073 134 2885
Richmond: 082 732 9454 / 064 878 5288
GPS: -33.47241033469987, 27.070656200245313