Sedgefield, Western Cape – Simbavati Fynbos on Sea

About the Birding

Driving up from the gate to the main lodge and bistro, one passes through stunning Milkwood or Dune Forest. Here, numerous specials should be looked out for such as Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Olive Bushshrike. Red-necked Spurfowl might be seen crossing the road at any point.

Around the main lodge and bistro, open fields provide habitat for Cape Longclaw and Bokmakierie which should be looked out for.

Numerous trails of varying lengths wind around the reserve, and these put one into the key habitats of Fynbos on Sea.

Most of the reserve is covered in moist Fynbos, where one should look out for Cape Grassbird and Karoo Prinia, while Cape Bulbul is around often too.

Areas of thicket hold Black Cuckooshrike and an assortment of seedeaters such as Swee Waxbill, Brimstone Canary, and Streaky-headed Seedeater. Cape Spurfowl can also be seen, which can be confused with the Red-necked Spurfowl.

Milkwood forest dominates much of the slopes around Fynbos on Sea and can have an assortment of birds such as Collared Sunbirds, Cape Batis, and Black-bellied Starling. The reserve also boasts 3 different species of Woodpecker, most notably the Knysna Woodpecker which can be quite common at times.

Views over the ocean and coastline offer distant views of the African Oystercatcher and Cape Cormorant. However, one can get closer to these birds by walking west along the beach from Gerikas Point at -34.02638, 22.77458. If you look further out to see, you could easily get views of Cape Gannet. Other pelagic species such as Albatrosses and Petrels are also possible, but a scope is recommended and try and see these.

Raptors such as African Fish Eagle and Jackal Buzzard are common, while birds like Forest Buzzard and Osprey are also around but harder to find.

At night, listen out for the African Wood Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar, as well as the ever-present Spotted Eagle-owl. Spotted Thick-knee can often be found too.

About the Birding Site

Fynbos on sea offers a handful of walking and mountain bike trails, which goes through a variety of habitats. Milkwood or Dune Forest and moist coastal fynbos make up most of the habitat at Fynbos on Sea, however patches of thicket, proteas, coastline, as well as gorgeous views onto the Swartvlei estuary offer a wide variety of species. In a Summer morning, over 50 species is easily possible.

Other Related Information

Simavati’s Fynbos and Sea can be accessed from the main gate at -34.01000, 22.75542 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bm9mobmQEAy6ksJt7)

The main lodge and bistro are situated at -34.02369, 22.76828.

Hiking trails of differing lengths (between 2km and 15km) are available for a price of R50 per person.

Mountain bike trails of differing lengths (between 5km and 15km) are available for a price of R100 per person (if you bring your own bike).

Numerous guided activities are also available.

The Fynbos on Sea Bistro is open from 07:00 – 14:00 in season.

The Fynbos on Sea bistro is accessible to wheelchairs, however, the trails are not.

Text prepared by:

Justin Ponder

Key species:

Knysna Woodpecker, Olive Bushshrike, Black-bellied Starling, Karoo Prinia, Cape Bulbul, Red-necked Spurfowl, Cape Spurfowl, Cape Grassbird, Cape Gannet, African Oystercatcher

Contact details

Simbavati Fynbos on Sea

Contact Simbavati’s Fynbos on Sea:

Tel: + 27 087 148 3822

Email: res@simbavati.com

Website: https://www.simbavati.com/lodges/fynbos-on-sea/