Heimersrivier Road

Western Cape, George – Heimersrivier Road

About the Birding

The Heimersrivier road runs from East to West, parallel to the Langkloof. As such, if planning for a morning drive, then it will be best to drive the route from East to West with the sun therefore shining from behind. However, in the afternoon it will be best to drive from West to East, starting on the opposite end of the road and again avoiding driving into the sun. The description below follows an East to West approach to the Heimersrivier road, in other words: a morning drive.

On approach from George, take the N9/N12 over the Outeniqua Pass to the point where the highway diverges, where the N12 veers off to the left, heading towards Oudtshoorn while the N9 continues straight in the direction of Uniondale. From here, at the N9-N12 junction, continue straight along the N9, heading East and into the Langkloof (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/67aPMaND56y1TrtH8 or GPS: -33.819317, 22.354838). There are three route options depending on your time frame, and these are explained below:

Option 1

Option 1. Follow along the N9 until reaching the turn-off that reads ‘Paardepoort’, which is 9.1 kilometres from the N9-N12 junction (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2hLXBHMMYJuBSojn7 or GPS: -33.833899, 22.449980). Turn left onto this gravel road and drive through Paardepoort and continue on until you reach the Heimersrivier Road (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8sWfoUfsjbgtAGwS6 or GPS: -33.767408, 22.420514). This stretch of road is 9.2 kilometres. Then turn left onto the Heimersrivier Road and follow it due West until you reach the N12 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kr98C7ys5JVeoMUw5 or GPS: -33.768675, 22.341410). From here you can turn left again and follow the N12 back to the N9-N12 junction to complete the loop. This route is the shortest route option and the section driven on gravel roads from the N9 to the N12 is 17 kilometres.

Option 2

Option 2. Instead of turning off at Paardepoort, one continues further along the N9, driving for 19.6 kilometers from the N9-N12 junction until reaching the turn-off that reads ‘Eseljagpoort / Heimersrivier’ (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pnxrA1BJR19N3adAA or GPS: -33.807007, 22.557846). Turn left onto the Eseljagpoort road, a gravel road that leads you through the Eseljagpoort. After 10.3 kilometers the Eseljagpoort road merges with the Heimersrivier road on the far side of the Paardeberg (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uEQ645sgwhepQUMg7 or GPS: -33.754087, 22.481818). From here, follow the Heimersrivier Road to the West for 13.8 kilometers until you reach the N12 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kr98C7ys5JVeoMUw5 or GPS: -33.768675, 22.341410). Turn left and follow the N12 back to the N9-N12 junction to complete the loop. The section on gravel roads from the junction at the N9 to the junction at the N12 is 24.2 kilometres.

Option 3

Option 3. This is the longest route and it takes one along the full length of the Heimersrivier Road. From the N9-N12 junction, drive along the N9 for 28.6 kilometres until arriving at a turn-off with a signpost reading ‘Daskop’ (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hta3gnAE8hsJh33p8 or GPS: -33.787093, 22.652369). Turn left onto this gravel road and follow it through the little poort for 2.2 km until reaching a junction where the road splits (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EosP5pkudZ7VirnT9 or GPS: -33.770416, 22.656731). Turn left onto the start of the Heimersrivier Road. From here, follow the Heimersrivier Road to the West for 30.7 kilometres until you reach the N12 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kr98C7ys5JVeoMUw5 or GPS: -33.768675, 22.341410). Turn left and follow the N12 back to the N9-N12 junction to complete the loop. From the junction at the N9 to the junction at the N12, this route along the gravel roads is 32.9 kilometres.

Birding along Option 3 will now be explained in further detail as an example of the birding that can be expected in this area. Shortly after starting the loop from the N9-N12 junction, one starts to drive into the Langkloof. Here there are several farm dams situated quite close to the N9 and if there has been good rainfall.

When these dams are full of water, then they become a sought-after habitat for a variety of waterbirds. The first two dams are 6.2 and 7 kilometers from the N9-N12 junction and both are situated to the left of the road (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aSN2Z7gs2zPPe4V3A or GPS: -33.828336, 22.418945 & Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oGp2go6AxgwsKfKB6 or GPS: -33.830103, 22.426594). Here you can tick off most of the common waterbirds including ducks, geese, lapwings and plovers. Further along, there are two larger dams, the first is on the left and the second on the right at 10.1 and 10.6 kilometers respectively (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cRSEaynkzNGLKgsK8 or GPS: -33.831179, 22.459218 & Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2qKLCrziKTdLuoPo7 or GPS: -33.829124, 22.465936). The latter is the largest dam along this route and when it is full it may host a vast number of waterbirds including all three species of grebe: Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe and Great Crested Grebe as well as an array of different ducks, including species such as Maccoa Duck.

As one heads further East along the N9, beyond the dams, then you will start to notice vast green pastures and these often support Spur-winged Goose, Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and Secretarybird. In summer time, these fields are also visited by flocks of White Stork. For the Denham’s Bustard, the best chance of an encounter is to take option 3 and thus travel as far East as the Daskop turn-off, scanning the field along the N9 quite carefully.

Take the Daskop road and head into the little poort. Here you may spot several Fynbos birds. When the proteas are in seed (especially directly after a fire) you can get Protea Canary and when the Aloes flower (in winter) the air is filled with the high-pitched calls of the Malachite Sunbirds. The rock areas are home to Cape Bunting and one should also be on the lookout for mammals such as Cape Grysbok and Rock Hyrax or Dassies. Keep an eye out for Booted Eagles flying overhead.

Beyond the little poort, and upon reaching the turn-off onto the Heimersrivier Road, the Karoo birding really begins! Turn left, heading West, with the sun now shining directly from behind, and the plains opening up in the foreground. From here one should be driving fairly slowly, looking and listening carefully for those sort-after birds: the Karoo specials. Sometimes it can also be very rewarding to stop at particularly productive habitats and to climb out for a more careful look / listen.

Driving along the first section of the road, scan the arid plains for as far as you can see, looking for larger birds such as Secretarybird; Blue Crane, Ludwig’s Bustard and Southern Black Korhaan. Look out for the smaller LBJs on the fence line or within the road reserve, birds such as Karoo Scrub-Robin, Karoo Chat, Familiar Chat and Rufous-eared Warbler. Scan the open field just beyond the fence line for Namaqua Dove; Capped Wheatear; Large-billed Lark; Red-capped Lark, Pied Starlings and African Pipit. Sometimes, on quiet mornings, these birds will even sit in the road, and during years of good rainfall, they are joined by flocks of the nomadic Grey-backed Sparrow-lark. Water troughs and farm dams can become a magnet for thirsty birds, and this is also a good place to stake-out for the Grey-backed Sparrow-lark. The farm dams on this side of the Paardeberg also attract a slightly different array of waterbirds. The most typical include South African Shelduck; Cape Teal; African Spoonbill, Hamerkop and Pied Avocet. The reed beds along the edges of some of these dams host masses of Southern Red Bishops and Southern Masked Weavers. One of the best dams for stopping and scanning for waterbirds is located about 21.5 kilometres from the N9 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aeY36Lu4sp5nmReJ6 or GPS: -33.757708, 22.456549) and another worthwhile dam is located about 26.1 kilometres from the N9 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kUP2fVC1A7SVGh477 or GPS: -33.769805, 22.410517).

Drainage-line woodland is another special habitat that has to be examined carefully when encountered. This is a taller habitat of thick, thorny ‘acacia’ woodland that dominates along the drainage lines. The dominant tree species within this habitat is the Sweet Thorn, Vachellia karroo. In summer these trees are usually full of little insects, especially caterpillars; and these little insects form an important part of the diet of many insectivorous birds. There are two particularly good patches of Drainage-line woodland located along the Heimersrivier Road. Following route option 3, the first decent patch of woodland is located at about 19.6 kilometres from the N9 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rNJLyvyTZkKXEcUb8 or GPS: -33.753335, 22.475568), and the second patch of woodland is located about 26.3 from the N9 (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vy61iASE8Batvss59 or GPS: -33.770179, 22.408495). Both of these sites can also form part of route option 2. At these sites, one needs to stop and climb out to listen for the bird calls. Here you should be on the lookout for Chestnut-vented Warbler, Pririt Batis, Long-billed Crombec and Yellow-bellied Eremomela as well as the dainty little Fairy Flycatcher. Also listen for Acacia Pied Barbet and Cardinal Woodpecker. The hillside opposite drainage-line woodland at the latter site (Link to Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vy61iASE8Batvss59 or GPS: -33.770179, 22.408495) is home to Grey-backed Cisticola and a family of tiny little Cape Penduline Tits.

All along the way, one should be scanning every electricity pylon for birds of prey. The Karoo is a haven for these birds, and anywhere along this road, you might find Martial Eagle; Booted Eagle; Lanner Falcon; Rock Kestrel, Black Harrier and plenty of Pale Chanting Goshawks. Also, scan the skies for swifts and swallows; in summer the area is visited by large flocks of Common Swift.

About the Birding Site

The Heimersrivier Road runs all the way from the Daskop turn-off, off the N9, to the Heimersrivier turn-off on the N12 near Zebra. This amounts to a distance of 32.9 kilometres. The Heimersrivier Road stretches from East to West, running parallel to the N9 for most of the way. While the N9 runs through the Langkloof, with the Outeniqua Mountains to the South of it and the Paardeberg to the North of it; the Heimersrivier Road runs North of the N9, and the Paardeberg forms a separating barrier between the N9 and the Heimersrivier Road. Therefore the Heimersrivier Road is situated at the onset of the Klein Karoo.

The fields in the Langkloof are often covered in green grass. Not so the fields along the Heimersrivier Road. The Paardeberg (mountain range) forms a cloud barrier between the Langkloof and the Klein Karoo, stopping much of the frontal rains from reaching the Klein Karoo. Many of the birds have adapted well to this harsh landscape and most have excellent camouflage, blending into this arid environment. There are lots of ‘LBJs’ (Little Brown Jobs), making bird identification a fun challenge at the best of times.

Other Related Information

The gravel roads that provide access to this area are kept in a relatively good condition, with very little corrugation. However, sections of the road can be dusty at times, so be prepared to close all windows for approaching or passing traffic.

Text prepared by:

Christiaan Viljoen
Qualified Nature Guide
Phone: +27 (0)83 703 9482
Email: christiaan.viljoen.25@gmail.com

Key species:

Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, Fairy Flycatcher, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Karoo Chat, Large-billed Lark, Ludwig’s Bustard, Pririt Batis, Rufous-eared Warbler and South African Shelduck.