North West – Mountain Sanctuary Park

About the Birding

Mountain Sanctuary Park offers relaxed birding for Magaliesberg Mountain specials and the opportunity to explore on foot.

Driving to Mountain Sanctuary Park from the Breedtsnek Pass you may find Zitting Cisticola, Coqui Francolin, Red-collared Widowbird, and Cape Grassbird and keep a look out for raptors like African Hawk Eagle and even African Cuckoo Hawk.

Birding can also be quite optimal around reception and the camp itself. Here one may bump into Black Cuckooshrike, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Speckled Mousebird, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Streaky-headed Seed-eater, African Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Canary, Chinspot Batis, Jameson’s Firefinch, White-bellied Sunbird and White-throated Robin-chat.

The hiking trails allow access to the higher slopes of the Magaliesberg for a better chance at specials such as Short-toed Rock Thrush, Striped Pipit, Cape Bunting and Cape Vultures flying overhead, and even the possibility of the odd Lappet-faced Vulture.

Key species:

African Hawk Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle (summer), Lappet-faced Vulture, African Cuckoo Hawk, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, White-fronted Bee-eater

About the Birding Site

Mountain Sanctuary Park is a private nature reserve in the Magaliesberg Mountains, five hundred feet above the Grootfontein valley. The reserve is primarily a hiking reserve and visitors have access to approximately 1000 hectares of land. You will not be restricted to set routes and will have the freedom to walk around as you like, either on-trail or off. Walking times and routes can vary anywhere between fifteen minutes and eight hours.

On your hikes you will encounter lovely crystal clear mountain pools which contain the purest mineral water that is suitable for both drinking and swimming. Habitats range from woodland, grassland, some wetlands and rock pools and rocky hillsides.

Key species:

African Hawk Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle (summer), Lappet-faced Vulture, African Cuckoo Hawk, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, White-fronted Bee-eater

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
Mountain Sanctuary Park: 25°50’09.8″S 27°28’29.8″E
Mountain Sanctuary Park gate off Breedtsnek Pass: 25°49’14.6″S 27°27’37.3″E
-25.820709, 27.460360
Entrance fee is payable.

Other related information:

Over the 45 years that the sanctuary has been open to visitors, it has built up the reputation as being one of the most peaceful and quiet places In South Africa. This has been achieved through Mountain Sanctuary’s no nonsense rule that absolutely no radios may be used and no excessive noise be created. This rule is strictly enforced by Mountain Sanctuary’s right to reserve admission into the nature reserve.

Recommended accommodation nearby:
Accommodation, available on the reserve, ranges from camping sites to chalets and log cabins.

Local guide information:
No BirdLife Recommended Tour Operators are in the area.

Text prepared by:
Martin Benadie | Specialist Birding Guide

Key species:

African Hawk Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle (summer), Lappet-faced Vulture, African Cuckoo Hawk, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Bunting, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, White-fronted Bee-eater

Contact details:

Mountain Sanctuary Park
Tel: +27 (0)14 534 0114; +27 (0)82-707-5538 (08h00 – 17h00)
E-mail: owen@mountain-sanctuary.co.za
Website: http://www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za/