North-east Zululand – Mkhuze Manyoni Private Game Reserve
About the Birding
Birders should begin their explorations of core section of Addo Elephant National Park in the areas surrounding the main camp in the north. Here it is permissible to walk around and there are several facilities that cater specifically for birdwatchers, including both a network of trails and footpaths as well as a small bird hide. Check the bulbuls carefully as both Dark-capped and Cape Bulbuls occur, though beware of hybrids which have intermediate eye-rings.
About the Birding Site
The Mkhuze area, situated just inland from iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, is world-renowned as a mecca for birders laying at the ecotone between two distinct climatic zones and supporting a high diversity of habitats. Habitats in the region include cliffs, rocky ridges and scarp forests on the eastern slopes of the Lebombo mountains, through to acacia savannah, mixed woodlands and grasslands surrounding Lower Mkhuze. Numerous large pans are also scattered throughout the region and, although water-levels vary from year to year, are widely regarded as the most important waterbird breeding sites anywhere in South Africa.
Other Related Information
Directions:
Take the N2 freeway north until you reach the town of Mkuze. Turn to the west along the D240, then immediately south to the North Gate of Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Alternatively, roughly 25km to the south of Mkuze, turn west along the D464 to reach the southern gate to Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
Notable points of interest include the:
North gate: -27.6402, 32.0210
South gate: -27.7534, 32.1051
Key species:
Pink-throated Twinspot, Rudd’s Apalis, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Bushveld Pipit
Contact details:
For more information, please contact at:
Manyoni Private Game Reserve
Tel: +27 (0)35 595 8550
Email: admin@manyoni.co.za
Website: www.manyoni.co.za