Ndumo is arguably one of South Africa’s most productive birding areas boasting the highest checklist for any protected area in the country including well over 400 species and several of them being range-restricted or at the southernmost limit of their ranges.

The primary attractions in Ndumo are the vast areas of pristine sand forest supporting the full compliment of near-endemics. Search for Pink-throated Twinspot, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, African Broadbill, Rudd’s Apalis, Crested Guineafowl, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Bearded Scrub-robin, Eastern Nicator, and Neergaard’s Sunbird in this habitat. Knowledge of the calls of the aforementioned species is essential to success when birding this incredible dense habitat. Woodland species to look out for include the Flappet Lark, Lilac-breasted Roller, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Jameson’s Firefinch, African Barred Owlet, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Retz’s and White-crested Helmetshrikes, Stierling’s Wren-warbler, African Grey Hornbill, Southern White-faced Owl, Grey Go-away-bird, Bearded Woodpecker and Green-winged Pytilia.

The vast Nyamithi Pan attracts impressive numbers of waterbirds including the Great White and Pink-backed Pelican, Woolly-necked, Saddle-billed, African Openbill and Yellow-billed Storks, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Lesser Jacana, Black and Rufous-bellied Herons, Fulvous Whistling Duck, African Pygmy Goose in summer, Collared Pratincole, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (summer), Dwarf Bittern (summer), African and Baillon’s Crake, Allen’s Gallinule (summer), Lesser Moorhen (summer), and Greater Painted-snipe. In marshy areas, listen for the distinctive calls of the sought-after Black Coucal in the summer months.
Guided walks along the north or south banks of the Pongola River, and Shokwe Pan, enter areas of climax riverine forest in which it is possible to find the highly sought-after Pel’s Fishing Owl and Narina Trogon. Enquire at reception as to whether there have been any sightings of the former species, as the local guides often know the whereabouts of these sought-after birds. Other exciting species in this habitat include the African Broadbill, Southern Yellow White-eye, Eastern Nicator, White-starred Robin (winter), African Wood Owl, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, and White-browed Robin-chat. This habitat is also frequented by the African Cuckoo-hawk and Southern Banded Snake-eagle, though both of these species may be encountered anywhere within Ndumo.
Raptors are common, with at least 40 species recorded. Look in particular for Bateleur, Lesser Spotted, Steppe, Martial, African Crowned, African Hawk and Wahlberg’s Eagles, African Goshawk, Eurasian Hobby, Bat Hawk and Western Osprey. Ndumo is also one of the premier sites to look for the threatened Southern Banded Snake-eagle and Sooty Falcon in South Africa; the latter a rarity.

Ndumo is well-known as a rarity hotspot and the list of species previously recorded in the reserve includes the likes of Thick-billed and Barred Long-tailed Cuckoos, Slaty Egret, Eleonora’s Falcon, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, and Black-and-white Flycatcher. Thus, birders should always remain mindful of out-of-range species at this site.

Key species:

Pink-throated Twinspot, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Rudd’s Apalis, African Broadbill, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Crested Guineafowl, African Pygmy Goose, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Southern Banded Snake-eagle