Birding is generally best in the warmer summer months (September-April) when the resident species are supplemented by the influx of migrants, though the dry winter months often facilitate large congregations of birds around several nationally important wetlands. Many sites on the route are easy to access on fair roads though drivers are cautioned that gravel roads may become impassable during the wet season limiting access to a few sites. Moreover, given the size of the sub-route in general, the region is further divided into five distinct birding areas each treated individually. These include the Louwsberg, Pongola, Ulundi, Umfolozi, and Vryheid areas.

The Pongola sub-route covers much of the eastern coastal plain including the immense Jozini Dam and several areas bordering the Lebombo Mountains. These regions feature the only examples of Sweet Lowveld Bushveld, supporting a vast array of species including several species that are rare in other parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Among these are the Burchell’s Starling, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Purple Roller, Magpie Shrike and Red-headed Weaver. The route includes small areas of habitat which are more characteristic of eastern Zululand, in which several of the coastal plain endemics may be seen including the Rudd’s Apalis, Pink-throated Twinspot, Lemon-breasted Canary and Neergaard’s Sunbird. Notable sites along this sub-route include the Hlatikhulu Forest, Lebombo Cliffs, Pongola Game and Nature Reserves and the Mkuze Falls Game Reserve.

Key species:

Pink-throated Twinspot, African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, Livingstone’s Turaco, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat