Free State Central – Willem Pretorius Game Reserve

About the Birding

In the acacia savanna areas species such as Common Scimitarbill, Acacia Pied Barbet, White-backed Mousebird, Cape Robin-chat and Kalahari Scrub Robin, Ashy Tit, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Black-chested Prinia, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher (winter) and Brown-crowned Tchagra may be found.

This habitat also boasts a number of small seedeaters, including Scaly-feathered Finch (Weaver) and Green-winged Pytilia, Blue Waxbill, Violet-eared Waxbill and Black-cheeked Waxbill, whydahs, Yellow Canary and Black-throated Canary. Look out for Green Wood-hoopoe and Red-throated Wryneck in the poplar trees in the picnic site just before entering the reserve to the north of the dam.

Take a short walk from the road to the viewing point on top of the koppie. From here you will have a wonderful panoramic view over the reserve below, and across Allemanskraal Dam. Look out for swifts and swallows; Alpine Swift, African Black Swift, Little Swift and White-rumped Swift may be seen feeding together. This is also a good spot to search for game in the thornveld and grasslands below.

The dam environment is host to many waterbirds. A heronry is usually present during the summer months on the island near the two resorts; more than ten species of large birds, including herons, egrets, ibis, cormorants and African Darter may breed here. Small waders may be found along exposed stretches of shoreline, and waterfowl, including South African Shelduck, Spur-winged Goose and Egyptian Goose, Cape Shoveler and Southern Pochard are also present. Listen for the call of the African Fish Eagle.

Reedbeds bordering the narrow eastern parts of the dam host Southern Red Bishop and various skulking warbler species. Martial Eagle and Gabar Goshawk are sometimes found in the wooded valleys where white stinkwood trees dominate, and many other interesting species can be present here such as Violet-backed Starling (summer).

Open grassland habitats in the southern section of the reserve provide habitat for Northern Black and Blue Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Melodious, Pink-billed, Spike-heeled and Red-capped Lark and various cisticola species. Other birds to look out for here include Secretarybird, Black Harrier and Orange River Francolin.

A good diversity of game species are also found here. Larger mammals include Cape buffalo, Giraffe, Eland, Black Wildebeest (one of the largest populations in South Africa), Red Hartebeest, Common Reedbuck and Burchell’s Zebra.

Key species:

Orange River Francolin, Blue Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Melodious Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Karoo Scrub Robin, Pririt Batis, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Blue Crane and Martial Eagle

About the Birding Site

This 12 000 hectare reserve qualifies as one of the top birding spots in the Free State and surrounds the Allemanskraal Dam with a range of easily-accessible habitats. The reserve bird checklist totals about 250 species, of which about 200 are common or regularly seen. Habitats include open water, shoreline, reedbeds, acacia savanna, grassland, wooded valleys and rocky hills with bush-covered slopes.

Key species:

Orange River Francolin, Blue Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Melodious Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Karoo Scrub Robin, Pririt Batis, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Blue Crane and Martial Eagle

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
Willem Pretorius Game Reserve: -28.300981, 27.256200
An entrance fee is payable. Facilities include a network of roads with a few strategically placed view sites.
Access is via the N1 motorway, about 30km south of Ventersburg and 150km north of Bloemfontein. The reserve is well signposted.

Other related information:

Recommended accommodation nearby:
Accommodation in the reserve itself is in self-catering chalets, and there are caravan and camping sites. A picturesque bush camp is also available.
Aldam Holiday Resort
Website: https://www.aldamestate.co.za/

No Birder Friendly Establishments are currently available in the area.

Local guide information:
No Birder Friendly Tour Operators or local guides are currently available in the area.

Text prepared by:
Rick Nuttall
Martin Benadie | Specialist Birding Guide

Key species:

Orange River Francolin, Blue Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Melodious Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Karoo Scrub Robin, Pririt Batis, Black-cheeked Waxbill, Blue Crane and Martial Eagle

Contact details:

Willem Pretorius Game Reserve
Tel: +27 (0)57 651 4003 / +27 (0)57 651 4168