Southern Zululand – Melmoth Weni Farm

About the Birding

Weni Farm is a large private farm, situated off the D256 to the north of Eshowe in the direction of Melmoth. Given that this is private property, birders must attain permission from the owners (see below) before venturing further than the main access road. For birders, numerous grassland and riverine species can be seen.

Among these are the Cape Grassbird, Short-tailed Pipit, Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Crane, both Yellow-throated and Cape Longclaws, and Shelley’s Francolin. Black Stork have bred on site in the past and occasionally wander through the area, while the White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher may be seen on the river. The Lanner Falcon, African Hawk-Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, and Black Harrier are all seen intermittently.

Key species:

Southern Bald Ibis (breeding), White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot

About the Birding Site

Southern Zululand is perhaps the premier forest birding route in all of KwaZulu-Natal, home to a rich diversity of species in a mix of different habitats. Starting on the warm coast of Zululand, between Mtunzini and Richard’s Bay, the route offers many estuarine swamp forests supporting impressive numbers of threatened species including the Mangrove Kingfisher and Black-throated Wattle-eye. Coastal forests here are equally rich in species and are perhaps the best areas anywhere in South Africa to search for the Spotted Ground Thrush (mainly a winter visitor) and Palm-nut Vulture.

Further inland near the towns of Eshowe, Melmoth, and Nkandla are several Afromontane mistbelt and scarp forests where a number of incredibly range-restricted species may be found including the highly localized endemic race of the Green Barbet, as well as Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon. These areas descend sharply down to dry thornveld habitats in a region that is rich in both Zulu history and culture.

The town of Melmoth, located at the gateway into the picturesque Zulu highlands, was founded in 1888 as a ‘gold rush’ town on a portion of the farm Golden Reef. The town itself is situated at roughly 800m above sea level and is surrounded by areas of good forest, riverine thickets, thornveld and grassland. These areas altogether support in excess of 300 species of bird. Top among these are the Southern Bald Ibis, Orange Ground Thrush, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, and Buff-streaked Chat. Notable sites along this sub-route include Weni Farm, Sappi – Mooiplaas, Wintershoek Farm and the famed Nkandla Forest.

Key species:

Southern Bald Ibis (breeding), White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot

Other Related Information

Directions:
From Melmoth, proceed along the R66 in the Eshowe direction for approximately 6km and turn left onto the D256 road. Continue along this gravel road for 6km, then turn left into Weni Farm.

Notable points of interest include the:
Entrance to Weni Farm: -28.5743, 31.4570

The nearest towns to Weni Farm are:
Melmoth: 10km
Eshowe: 50km

Other related information:

Access and facilities:
Please note that Permission is required from Bertus or Caroline De Waal before visiting Weni farm Tel: + 27 (0)35 450 2314

Recommended accommodation nearby:
Numerous Birder Friendly Establishments are available in the town of Eshowe. For more information, please view Birder Friendly Establishments using the following link:
http://www.birdlife.org.za/go-birding/bird-friendly-establishments/kwazulu-natal/

Local guide information:
Several community guides operate within the wider Dlinza/Melmoth/Mtunizini areas. For more information, please use the following link:
https://www.birdlife.org.za/go-birding/community-bird-guides/

Text prepared by:
Daniel Keith Danckwerts (Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Tours)

Key species:

Southern Bald Ibis (breeding), White-backed Night Heron, African Finfoot

Contact details:

Please note that Permission is required from Bertus or Caroline De Waal before visiting Weni farm. For access, contact:

Bertus or Caroline De Waal
Tel: + 27 (0)35 450 2314