Kariega and Bushmans – Golden Mile

About the Birding

The narrow stretch of agricultural land stretching west from the small coastal village of Boknes, to as far as the eastern boarder of the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant National Park, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s richest farming areas; hence the name, the Golden Mile. The area benefits from year-round moisture provided by the warm Indian Ocean and is dominated by lush grasslands, dense coastal thickets, and rich primary forest.

The route is best combined with a visit to the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant National Park and requires roughly a morning to cover properly.

Coastal grasslands covering much of this area support impressive numbers of Secretarybird and Denham’s Bustard. Scan recently grazed areas for the nomadic Black-winged Lapwing, which frequently mixes with flocks of the abundant Blacksmith and Crowned Lapwings. The Plain-backed and African Pipits co-occur. Wing-snapping Cisticola and Common Quail are both common by voice in the summer months, though both species are tricky to see well. Several coveys of Red-winged Francolin are present and this species is best seen in the early morning and late afternoon when they frequently emerge onto the road to feed.

Coastal thickets and forest are rich in species. This is perhaps the best area in the country to search for the endemic Knysna Woodpecker, which is common throughout though knowledge of its call is essential to locating them. Knysna Warbler is similarly common in the area, preferring impenetrable thickets at the forest edge. Other forest species include Olive Woodpecker, Olive Bush-shrike, Dark-backed Weaver, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Sombre Greenbul, Chorister Robin-chat, Brown Scrub-robin, Trumpeter Hornbill, and Scaly-throated Honeyguide.

In sections, it is possible to view the nearby Bird Island group roughly 5Km offshore and Cape Gannet are frequently sighted flying offshore.

Key species:

Denham’s Bustard, Secretarybird, Red-winged Francolin, Chorister Robin-chat, Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Warbler

About the Birding Site

The Bushmans and Kariega Rivers drain two small basins in the Eastern Cape, both entering the Indian Ocean on either side of the small coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea. Both rivers flow permanently across much of their lengths, supporting large agricultural and conservation areas. The Bushmans and Kariega triangle is of ecological significance, supporting several endemic and highly threatened species. This includes the almost mythical nominate race of the African Barred Owlet – which likely constitutes a true species and would thus be endemic to the area – as well as the critically endangered Eastern Cape Cycad (Encephalartos altensteinii).

Large areas in the region have been converted from private farmland into high-end ‘Big 5’ conservation areas, harbouring vast tracts of forest, coastal grassland, succulent thicket, dune thicket as well as isolated patches of fynbos. Among the most important of these are the Kariega Private Game Reserve, Thomas Bains Nature Reserve, and Water’s Meeting Nature Reserve. Other notable hotspots in the area include the coastal strip between Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea, Assegai Trails farm, and the Golden Mile farming community. Access to several of these sites is limited to overnight guests only, though most species are common in the area and can be found with 2-3 days to explore public sites.

Key species:

Denham’s Bustard, Secretarybird, Red-winged Francolin, Chorister Robin-chat, Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Warbler

Other Related Information

Directions:
At the main intersection as you enter the coastal village of Boknes, head north-west along the unpaved gravel road. Turn to the left at -33.7223, 26.5659 and continue straight for several kilometres until you pass through a security boom. The Golden Mile road continues west from here, before finally turning north through the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant National Park, and eventually culminating in the village of Alexandria.

Other related information:

Note that access to the Woody Cape section of Addo Elephant National Park requires a permit, and access to private farmland is strictly prohibited. All birding should be done from the main road.

Recommended accommodation nearby:
No Birder Friendly Establishments are currently available in the wider Golden Mile are, though an assortment of accommodation options are available in the nearby villages of Cannon Rocks, Boknes, Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred.
Suggested accommodation options include:

Woody Cape Nature Lodge
Website: https://woody-cape.business.site/
Tel: +27 (0)87 943 6849

Local guide information:
No Birder Friendly Tour Operators are currently available for the Kariega and Bushamans River Valleys. However, birding tours in the general area are available through:

Tim Cockcroft
Website: https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding
Email: timwcroft@gmail.com
Tel: +27 (0)72 314 0069

Text prepared by:
Daniel Keith Danckwerts (Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Tours)

Key species:

Denham’s Bustard, Secretarybird, Red-winged Francolin, Chorister Robin-chat, Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Warbler

Contact details:

N/A