Western Cape – Ladismith Area

About the Birding

Birding in the areas surrounding Ladismith is discussed in four different sections hereafter, namely:
• Hoeko Loop Road
• Dwarsrivier Loop Road
• Van Zylsdamme Loop Road & Huisrivier Road
• Elandsberg- & Ladismith Hiking Trails

Birding along the roads in the area, to the south of the Klein Swartberg Mountain Range, is rewarding.

Birding along the loop road can be split into three different areas, namely firstly the eastern section where mostly farmland types of bird species are encountered. Secondly, along the northern section of the route, the typical mountain and cliff-loving bird species can be found. Lastly, the western leg of the loop road does not present very good birding opportunities due to the infestation by the Black Wattle species. However, in this latter area, the road verges may still present a good opportunity to spot some of the localised special bird species i.e. Black Sparrowhawk, Cape Siskin, Fork-tailed Drongo, etc.

To date, 157 different bird species have been recorded along this drive. Bird species observed include amongst others South African Shelduck, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Red-chested Cuckoo, Giant Kingfisher, Lesser Honeyguide, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Sombre Greenbul, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Tchagra, Karoo Thrush, Long-billed Crombec, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Grey Tit, Rufous-eared and Chestnut-vented Warblers, Karoo Prinia, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

To date, 140 different bird species have been recorded along this looped road. Best species to be on the lookout for include South African Shelduck, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Giant Kingfisher, Lesser Honeyguide, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Sombre Greenbul, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Tchagra, Karoo Thrush, Long-billed Crombec, Karoo Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Rufous-eared- & Chestnut-vented Warblers, Karoo Prinia, Black-headed Canary, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape Bunting.

To date, 138 different bird species have been recorded along the Van Zylsdamme Loop Road and along the Huisrivier Road. Special bird species to be on constant lookout for include South African Shelduck, Karoo Korhaan, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Red-chested Cuckoo, Giant Kingfisher, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Sombre Greenbul, White-backed Mousebird, Cape Rockjumper, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Tchagra, Long-billed Crombec, Karoo Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Namaqua-, Rufous-eared-, Layard’s and Chestnut-vented Warblers, Karoo Prinia, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

To date, 139 different bird species have been recorded in the area crossed through by the hiking trails. The number of species or even simply numbers of birds that may be seen on any of the hiking trails will however be somewhat low. Still, the outdoor activity and scenery along the hikes will make up for any misgivings you may have considered undertaking anyone of these hikes.

Bird species that could likely be encountered include South African Shelduck, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Red-chested Cuckoo, Giant Kingfisher, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Sombre Greenbul, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Tchagra, Karoo Thrush, Long-billed Crombec, Pririt Batis, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Chestnut-vented Warblers, Karoo Prinia, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

About the Birding Site

The area surrounding Ladismith is dominated by intensely developed agricultural areas as well as vineyards and orchards of various fruits. The majestic Klein Swartberg (Small Black Mountain) Mountain Range to its north overlooks the Ladismith Valley and separates it from the Great Karoo to the north. The Seweweekspoort Peak, which incidentally is the highest mountain peak in the Western Cape Province at 2325m AMSL, as well as the very prominent Towerkop Peak, with its twin heads, overlook the town and the adjoining farmlands, orchards, and vineyards.

The area is served by an adequate network of well-maintained gravel district roads that can be travelled with any vehicle.

The Hoeko farming community is located approximately 12 to 13km to the east of Ladismith along the popular and well-known Route R62 to Calitzdorp. Approximately 50% of this semi-circular road is tarred, whilst the balance is a gravel road that is usually in good condition as it carries a substantial volume of local traffic serving the farming community along the road. The road can be accessed from either the eastern or western sides. The eastern access point is located along the R62 main road that runs between Ladismith and Calitzdorp at GPS -33.5058˚S, 21.3717˚E. The road can also be accessed from its western end in Ladismith at GPS -33.4927˚S, 21.2634˚E. The total length of the looped section of the road is approximately 17km but when the main road section is added the total length of the circular drive becomes approximately 29km long.

The eastern section of the road runs along an intensely developed valley which is mainly covered in vineyards and different types of fruit orchards. The northern section of the loop road runs along undeveloped areas along the foothills of the main Klein Swartberg Mountain Range and presents excellent opportunities for finding special birds on the rugged mountain slopes. The scenery along this road is brilliant with good views of Seweweekspoort Peak, Elandsberg as well as Towerkop.

The access points onto some of the Ladismith Hiking Trails (as detailed in a section hereafter) are located along this northern section of the loop road, close to the point where the road ventures to the south.

The western section of the road unfortunately follows the course of the Swartbergrivier which is seriously infested with huge stands of exotic Black Wattle species. These areas unfortunately tend to be almost void of any bird species.

This short loop road crosses through the farming areas alongside the Buffelskloofrivier as well as the Dwarsrivier. The Buffelskloofrivier Valley is in the eastern half of the area crossed through by the loop road whilst the Dwarsrivier is in the western half of the area. Both valleys have been intensely developed with most of the Buffelsrivier valley being taken up by crop agriculture whilst the Dwarsrivier valley is covered in fruit orchards and vineyards.

The Dwarsrivier farming community is located approximately 6km to the west of Ladismith along the main road to Laingsburg (R323). The length of the gravel loop road section is approximately 11,5km whilst the return leg along the main R323 road adds another 4,5km to the length of the loop. The Dwarsrivier Loop Road can be accessed from either of its ends which are in the east at GPS -33.4947˚S, 21.2171˚E and at GPS -33.5096˚S, 21.1724˚E in the west. Both these two GPS points are located on the main tarred road (R323) to Laingsburg.

The gravel road serves the adjoining farming community and is generally in quite good trafficable condition.

The Van Zylsdamme Loop Road is a small loop road serving farming communities that are approximately 20km to the west of Ladismith along the main road (R323) to Laingsburg. The Loop Road is a small gravel road that serves the local farming communities, and it is approximately 11km long. Birders are however advised to include the short section up and down the Huisrivier (House River) which adds another 8km to the length of this looped road drive.

The Van Zylsdamme Loop Road can be accessed from either its eastern end at GPS -33.5027˚S, 21.0850˚E or from the west at GPS -33.4919˚S, 21.0118˚E. Both these GPS points are located along the main tarred route (R323) to Laingsburg.

The road section through the Van Zylsdamme section of the road provides good opportunities to locate most of the bird species which are normally associated with developed agricultural areas. Almost all the local terrestrial bird species can be encountered along this section of the road. Most of the cultivated areas are irrigated and as such attracts many bird species into this very arid region.

The road closely follows the course of the Grootrivier (Great River) which drains a substantial area of the Great Karoo that is located on the northern side of the Klein Swartberg Mountain Range.

The short drive along the Huisrivier Road is a very scenic drive along the banks of the Huisrivier. Good vantage points onto the adjoining undeveloped hillsides are available at many points along this road and this creates the opportunities to locate some other Klein Karoo specials, particularly species loving rocky hillsides like Ground Woodpecker, Sickle-winged Chat, Nicholson’s Pipit, Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Bunting, etc.

Elandsberg Hiking Trail:
The Elandsberg Hiking trail follows a rough Jeep track all the way to the top end of the track, which is 4,7km from the starting point at GPS -33.4633˚S, 21.2837˚E. The starting point is located on the Hoeko Loop Road on the northern side of Ladismith in the Klein Swartberg Mountain Range. This trail is indicated in Magenta on the attached layout map.

The track ascends approximately 565m to the end of the Jeep track. The track provides for a constant non-stop climb over the 4,7km length. During winter months the mountain peaks are often covered in snow as can be seen in the attached photograph. Birding on the mountain slopes is always quite challenging but the vistas make up for what birding does not provide. A couple of special bird species are however always present, albeit that they may be rather difficult to locate, i.e. Victorin’s Warbler, Striped Flufftail, Fynbos Buttonquail, Ground Woodpecker, and Cape Rockjumper. The Prinia, Sunbird and Cisticola species are somewhat easier to locate on the slopes. Overhead, raptors like Verreaux’s- & Booted Eagles, Rock Kestrel, & Jackal Buzzard as well as especially Alpine- and African Black Swifts should all be present.

This trail provides very good vantage points onto the Klein Swartberg Mountain Range with the Towerkop, Elandsberg and Seweweekspoort Peaks all very much in view along most parts of the trail.

Ladismith Hiking Trails:
The Ladismith hiking trails were laid out on the foothill mountains immediately adjacent to Ladismith on its northern side. These trails are used more regularly than the Elandsberg Trail as these set of trails are less steep and therefore, provide for a more relaxed hike.

The main south to north trail is approximately 6km long and runs from the water supply reservoirs located at GPS -33.4847˚S, 21.2670˚E. The main trail ascends approximately 270m over the 6km length to its northern end point located at the start of the Elandsberg Trail at GPS -33.4633˚S, 21.2837˚E. This main trail is indicated in Red on the layout map attached.

At approximately the halfway mark on the main trail an alternative return trail turns eastwards and provides for an approximately 4km long detour. Along this trail section the main Klein Swartberg Mountain Range is constantly in view, but excellent views are also obtained over the town of Ladismith to the south and the Klein Karoo flats. Good views onto the Touwsberg, and Rooiberg Mountains, further to the south, are also in sight along most of this detour section marked in Orange on the layout map.

For the less adventurous another short detour section is available, marked in Light Pink on the layout map. This shortcut link provides for a round trip length of approximately 3km from the start at the reservoir back to its end.

Other Related Information

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are several guesthouses offering farm stays on farms surrounding Ladismith or in the town itself as well as other accommodation types in the area which are available through the normal accommodation booking sites.

Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this area.

Text prepared by:
Francois Furstenburg

Key species:

South African Shelduck, Karoo Korhaan, Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Red-chested Cuckoo, Giant Kingfisher, Lesser Honeyguide, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Sombre Greenbul, White-backed Mousebird, Cape Rockjumper, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Tchagra, Karoo Thrush, Long-billed Crombec, Karoo Eremomela, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Grey Tit, Namaqua-, Layard’s and Chestnut-vented Warblers, Karoo Prinia, Black-headed Canary, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

Contact details:

Cape Nature:
For permits and bookings: +27 (0)87 087 3002

Ladismith Tourism Bureau:
Tel: +27 (0)28 050 0158
Email: visitladismith@gmail.com