Greater Plettenberg Bay – Harkerville & Kranzhoek viewpoint

About the Birding

Turn towards the coast at the Sasol Garage (-34.037, 23.226) off the N2. Close to the Harkerville SANparks office, listen out for Victorin’s Warbler. A 9km Perdekop hike (-34.0472, 23.2308) starting at the SAN Parks offices, through the forest offers up the forest birds of the area including Cape Batis, African Olive Pigeon, Knysna Turaco, White-Starred Robin, Chorister Robin, Yellow-Throated Woodland-Warbler, Grey, Amethyst, Collared, Southern and Greater Double Collared Sunbird, Forest Canary, Olive Thrush, Terrestrial Brownbul, Olive and Knysna Woodpecker and Forest buzzard.

Another 2 hikes can be found at Kranzhoek picnic site (-34.0785, 23.2281). The Coastal Hike, a tough 13km hike down through forest ravine and along the coast coming back up through coastal fynbos to the starting point. There is also a second hike of around 1km through the forest. The same forest birds as at Harkerville apply, but along the cliffs look out for Peregrine Falcon, Cape Siskin, Rock Kestrel, Karoo Prinia and Neddicky.

Key species:

Knysna Warbler, Victorin’s Warbler, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail, Glossy Ibis, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Karoo Prinia

About the Birding Site

The Plettenberg Bay Region covers the area from Harkerville off the N2, then along the airport road to Robberg Nature Reserve, through the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, and then joining back on the N2 past the Sewage Treatment Plant, Riettvlei dam and road to Emily Moon and the Bitou River Valley to Uplands on the R340, as well as the Keurbooms River.

Indigenous forest, fynbos, coastal rocky cliffs, urban gardens, wetlands, grasslands, and estuary ensures a wide range of habitat around this beautiful birding area between Knysna and Tsitsikamma.

Key species:

Knysna Warbler, Victorin’s Warbler, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail, Glossy Ibis, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Karoo Prinia

Other Related Information

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There is a wide range of accommodation available in the Greater Plettenberg Bay area.

Local guide information:
No BirdLife South Africa recognised Birder Friendly tour operators in the area.
Ian Pletzer
Cell: +27 (0)83 357 5267
Email: Pletzer.Ian@gmail.com

Other related information:

Text prepared by:
Ian Pletzer, BirdwatchPlett & Outeniqua Birding

Key species:

Knysna Warbler, Victorin’s Warbler, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail, Glossy Ibis, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Karoo Prinia

Contact details:

N/A