A parking area and view site at the summit of the Mafika Lisiu Pass (-29.064278, 28.405767), at an altitude of 3090 m, provide spectacular views west towards Pitseng. Be warned, however; even on a summer’s day, warm sunshine can change very quickly to thick mist and cold conditions; be prepared for all weather conditions! Bird species commonly encountered here include family groups of Drakensberg Rockjumper, Sickle-winged Chat, Sentinel Rock Thrush, small flocks of Drakensberg Siskin, Large-billed Lark, Cape Bunting and White-necked Raven. A pair of Bearded Vulture nests on nearby cliffs, and these majestic birds – often both adults and juveniles – should be seen during most visits. Cape Vultures are also frequently seen soaring close to the view site; Verreaux’s Eagle is less common in the area. Mountain Pipit is the commonest pipit here in summer, with African Pipit occurring in grassy areas lower down the mountain slopes and in the valleys. Lanner Falcon is also common, often seen perched on nearby electricity pylons, while Jackal Buzzard is the most numerous raptors at this altitude, their high numbers probably due to the super-abundance of prey in the form of endemic Sloggett’s ice rats in the spongy alpine meadows. Black Stork may also be seen in this area, and coveys of Grey-winged Francolin also occur, with their shrill, yet evocative calling adding to the wonderful atmosphere of the highlands.

The Bokong Nature Reserve visitor centre on the left of the A25 a short distance further on provides excellent views of swallows and swifts flying close to the cliffs below. On the grassy hillside slope opposite and directly south-east of the centre is an ossuary – an area of large slabs of flat rock – used by Bearded Vultures in flight to drop and break large bones, after which the birds land and feed on pieces of bone and on exposed bone marrow. It is fascinating to experience this behaviour, with birds often retrieving unbroken bones, soaring to a height and dropping these repeatedly over a period of time.

Continuing due south from the visitor centre and then east, the A25 soon drops steeply down to the village of Ha Lejone, overlooking the upper reaches of the Malibamatso section of the Katse Dam. Look out for Drakensberg Siskin and Grey Tit in streamside vegetation close to the road and dazzling Malachite Sunbirds at flowering patches of red-hot pokers (Kniphofia sp.) while taking a break on the way down the Pass. At Ha Lejone village, take the first gravel road to the left (-29.108975, 28.491378), which hugs the Malibamatso Valley of Katse Dam. Look out for Ground Woodpecker on the rocky slopes and road cuttings and scan the dam on the right for waterfowl (African Black Duck is quite common in open water close to the bases of cliffs) and cormorants. Rocky slopes may also produce Mountain Wheatear and African Rock Pipit, while hillside scrub may host Layard’s Tit-babbler (Warbler), Fairy Flycatcher and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Inspect overhead power lines in summer for groups of Common House Martin, with flocks of 300 and more birds seen in this area at times. Continue for a few kilometres to the bridge spanning a tributary of the Malibamatso River flowing in from a westerly direction (-29.083689, 28.503272) and scan the cliffs around the dam for Southern Bald Ibis, which may roost and nest here. Turn left after the bridge and travel a short distance upstream (a high clearance vehicle is recommended) to find a delightful spot for a lunch break next to the rapids of this clear mountain river. Various widowbirds (Long-tailed, Red-collared) as well as Southern Red- and Yellow Bishops display in the surrounding areas in summer.

Key species:

Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin, Mountain Pipit, Bearded Vulture, Sickle-winged Chat, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Cape Vulture, Grey-winged Francolin, Large-billed Lark and Grey Tit