Transkei – Collywobbles Vulture Colony
About the Birding
The Collywobbles vulture colony is set in one of the most spectacular locations of any of South Africa’s Cape vulture colonies – the 300m sheer cliffs of the Mbashe Gorge in the Idutywa District. Located roughly 60 km’s south of Mthatha, the site is set in a rural location along the convoluted meanderings of the Mbashe River. Access can be challenging, though the incomparable views of the vultures is worth the trek!
About the Birding Site
Until very recently, the vast Transkei has been the least explored region of the Eastern Cape province – extending from Kei Mouth to as far as Port Edward at the boarder of the KwaZulu-Natal province, and bound to the north by the Drakensburg Mountains. Many parts remain difficult to access, given that the region was considered as an unrecognised state for ‘separate development’ until as recently as 1994. Post-Apartheid, the Transkei was reclassified as part of the Eastern Cape though the region remains almost totally under-developed.
Other Related Information
Directions:
From Umtata/Mthatha: head south on the N2 towards East London and after 31km’s turn left. Zero your odometer as you turn off the N2. At km8.6 keep left, km10.7 keep right. Continue until km12.1 where you keep right, km20.5 turn left, km 23.2 keep right. At km23.9 keep left and travel along the ridge with the Mbashe River below on your right, at km26.7 turn left and again at km28.2 keep left.