Western Cape – VanWyksdorp and Surrounding Areas

About the Birding

To date, 207 different bird species have been recorded in the area surrounding VanWyksdorp.

The VanWyksdorp area provides for great opportunity to view many of the Klein Karoo special bird species in the variety of different habitats on offer. The vegetation in the areas surrounding VanWyksdorp varies from succulent Klein Karoo habitats, mountain Fynbos, dense lowland shrubbery along drainage lines, Acacia thickets, Renosterveld, montane hillsides, Protea covered slopes and other. Birding is quite diverse in the different habitat zones.

To date, 178 different bird species have been recorded along the Rooiberg Pass drive. Special bird species that may be encountered along this drive include Black- & White Storks, Ludwig’s Bustard, Verreaux’s Eagle, Black Harrier, African Olive Pigeon, Tambourine Dove, Namaqua Sandgrouse, African Black Swift, European Bee-eater, Greater Honeyguide, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo-, Spike-heeled- & Karoo Long-billed Larks, Cape Rockjumper, Karoo Chat, Pririt Batis, Pale-winged Starling, Cape Sugarbird, Dusky Sunbird, Protea Canary, Karoo- & Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Lesser Honeyguide, Southern Tchagra, Grey- & Cape Penduline Tits, Layard’s-, Rufous-eared- & Namaqua Warblers, Cape Siskin, Black-headed Canary, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

In the area surrounding the weir and along the drive to Moose Valley Weir, 179 bird species have been identified to date. The list of birds recorded to date includes the following special species, namely Blue Crane, Common Quail, Karoo- & Southern Black Korhaans, Denham’s- & Ludwig’s Bustards, African Black Duck, African Spoonbill, Hamerkop, Double-banded Courser, African Fish Eagle, Black Harrier, African Harrier Hawk, Alpine Swift, White-backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Half-collared Kingfisher, Namaqua Dove, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Western Barn Owl, Mountain Wheatear, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Karoo Long-billed-, Cape Clapper-, Red-capped- & Karoo Larks, Karoo Chat, Grey Tit, Cape Grassbird, Karoo Eremomela, Fairy Flycatcher, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Layard’s-, Namaqua- & Rufous-eared Warblers, Black-headed Canary, Cape Siskin, as well as Cape- & Lark-like Buntings.

To date, 183 different bird species have been recorded along this drive, many of which are endemic bird species to the RSA. Typical special bird species that may be encountered are Fynbos Buttonquail, Common Quail, Southern Black- & Karoo Korhaans, Denham’s Bustard, Verreaux’s Eagle, Black- & Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawks, African Goshawk, Tambourine Dove, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Alpine Swift, Ground Woodpecker, Karoo- & Sickle-winged Chats, Karoo Long-billed- & Karoo Larks, Cape- & Sentinel Rock Thrush, Plain-backed Pipit, Cape Rockjumper, Karoo- & Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Cape Grassbird, Grey- & Cape Penduline Tits, Layard’s Warbler, Mountain Wheatear, Pale-winged Starling, Orange-breasted- & Dusky Sunbirds, Swee Waxbill, Lark-like Bunting, Protea Canary, and Cape Siskin.

About the Birding Site

The area surrounding VanWyksdorp is dominated by intensely developed agricultural fields and the Rooiberg (Red Mountain) Mountain Range to its north and the Klein Karoo plains to the south.

Birding in the areas surrounding VanWyksdorp is discussed in three different sections hereafter, namely:
• Moose Valley Weir on the Grootrivier
• Rooiberg Pass
• Paardebont Road

Birding along the district gravel roads in the area is rewarding but the area can become very hot and dry during the summer months. Under such conditions, the roads are very dusty and often badly corrugated.

The very steep gravel sections on the Rooiberg Pass can become impassable following heavy storms and the causeway across the Gourits River on the Paardebont Road can easily be flooded during the rainy season. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for most drives in this area. It is also recommended that crossing of the Gourits River Causeway should be avoided when the causeway is flooded.

The length of the drive across the Rooiberg Mountain Range via the Rooiberg Pass is approximately 43km up to the point where it joins up with the roads leading to and from Calitzdorp.

The Rooiberg Pass can be directly accessed from VanWyksdorp in the south by driving the route along the northern side of the town that is signposted “Calitzdorp” or it can be accessed from the north from the Calitzdorp side at GPS -33.6338˚S, 21.7002˚E. It is advisable to travel the route in both directions as the views on the northbound drive are completely different to the views gained when driving towards the south. Although the length of the one-direction travelling is only 43km, allow sufficient time, minimum 3 hours recommended, per direction of travel to appreciate the scenery available and to do some intense birding of the areas adjoining the roadside.

This drive is very scenic, especially during springtime when the Fynbos and Protea species display their full blooming splendour, but every season provides for varying degrees of aromas, glory, beauty, and splendour. Most of the area that is crossed through by the road is maintained as pristine wilderness areas and protected nature reserves.
The route, as indicated on the attached map, runs via the private Rooiberg Lodge Nature Reserve. The Lodge is open to day-visitors and nature drives can be arranged through the Lodge by prior arrangement and bookings. The small detour through the Rooiberg Lodge estate is recommended as it provides very good opportunities to spot a few of the Klein Karoo special bird species that are not that easy to connect with elsewhere. The vegetation along this detour through Rooiberg Lodge is somewhat different from the vegetation encountered along areas adjacent to the Mountain Pass because this secluded valley is moister than the rocky slopes on the main Rooiberg Mountain ridges and slopes.

The Rooiberg Pass is quite steep and often badly eroded, especially after heavy downpours. A vehicle with good ground clearance is always recommended for this drive. It is advisable to check the road conditions prior to entering the pass section if you are not driving a 4×4 vehicle. The mountain pass section is a narrow and very steep gravel road. The pass section gains approximately 500m in elevation over about 6km in distance (average gradient of 1:12 or 8,5%).
Spectacular views are obtained across the Klein Karoo landscape to the south on the southern ascending section as well as onto the Grootswartberg Mountains to the north along the descending section. The pass is not heavily trafficked and hence provides for good opportunities to do some mountain birding directly from the road servitude. A small picnic spot is available at the summit of the pass. It is recommended that frequent stops are made at safe and convenient spots along the route of the pass to enjoy and appreciate the scenery and check for the resident bird species in the adjoining shrubs.

Moose Valley Weir is located on the Grootrivier (Great River) approximately 23km to the west of VanWyksdorp at GPS -33.7308˚S, 21.2461˚E. To drive to the weir, the gravel road (R327) to Ladismith is followed out of the town of VanWyksdorp for 8km. At the 8km mark, turn left (south) to “Mond van Pietsrivier”.

This road is a minor district connector road that circles around the Wolwekop Private Nature Reserve but also links to the Ladismith to Riversdale main tarred road (R323) further to the west. Drive another approximately 11km along this road to the second Moose Valley Estate’s entrance gate where a sign “Private Property” is displayed. Public entry to the weir is however permitted. This second entrance gate is located at GPS -33.7326˚S, 21.2813˚E. Follow the farm track for approximately 1,1km until you cross the first large irrigation channel. Turn right just after crossing the channel and follow the elevated two-spoor farm track along the bank of the irrigation channel until the weir is reached at GPS -33.7308˚S, 21.2461˚E.

Do not attempt to cross over the river at the downstream side of the weir as it is extremely dangerous, and you will be entering private property.

The weir normally stores some water, even during dry spells and as such provides a haven for the waterbirds of the Klein Karoo area. Most of the drive from VanWyksdorp to the Moose Valley Weir is through undeveloped Klein Karoo hillsides and landscapes. An excellent vantage point over the Grootrivier exists approximately 4,6km to the west of VanWyksdorp. It is advisable to stop at this viewpoint and check the river thickets for special birds.

The last section of the drive beyond the entrance into Moose Valley Estate is through intensely developed agricultural fields. The riverbanks are also densely covered in reedbeds which provide for excellent nesting material and opportunities for weavers that in turn attract raptors and especially harriers at dawn and dusk. Many waterbirds also fly up and down the course of the river at the same time. Weavers, Bishops, Herons, Egrets, Ducks, Geese, Plovers, Kingfishers, Mousebirds, Boubous, Bulbuls, Pipits, Larks, Quails, Warblers, Cisticolas, as well as the Canaries are all common bird families along this last section of the drive up to the weir.

Paardebont Road can be accessed from both ends of the road with the western access point onto the road located at GPS -33.7376˚S, 21.5984˚E (Paardebont West). This access point is located on the Rooiberg Pass Road, approximately 19km to the east of VanWyksdorp. This road is a minor district gravel road serving the farms along the road. The road is about 59km long.

The western section of the road starts at a T-junction onto the Rooiberg Pass Road and gradually descends approximately 200m to the Gourits River over the next 17km. This road section traverses through arid and unspoilt hilly Klein Karoo environments along the foothills of the Rooiberg Mountain Range. Most of the Klein Karoo special bird species can be located along this road section. Birding along this road is quite easy as few vehicles utilise this road.

Birders should take note that the Gourits River is crossed at a low-level causeway which often gets flooded after heavy rains in the upstream catchment areas. The causeway is impassable when it is flooded. The western 17km section from the Rooiberg Pass to the Gourits River Causeway can however be undertaken in a high clearance vehicle at any time.

After crossing the Gourits River at the causeway, the road slowly ascends the valley that is locked in between the Gamkaberg on its northern side and the Attakwasberg to the south. The Gamkaberg is a Protected Nature Reserve managed by Cape Nature. Access into the reserve is restricted to access from its northern side. The area surrounding the first section of the road beyond the Gourits River Causeway is taken up by mostly private game ranches alongside the road. More intense cultivated lands are located along the middle section of the road along the valley floor with good views onto the southern slopes of the Gamkaberg.

The Paardebont Road can alternatively be accessed from the eastern side at GPS -33.6892˚S, 22.0773˚E (Paardebont East) located on the Volmoed to Robinson Pass (R328) link road. The section of the road to the east of the Gourits River Causeway is approximately 42km long. This road section also is a minor gravel district road.

Other Related Information

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are several guesthouses offering farm stays on farms or nature lodges surrounding VanWyksdorp or in the town itself as well as other accommodation types in the area which are available through the normal accommodation booking sites.

Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this area.

Text prepared by:
Francois Furstenburg

Key species:

Denham’s Bustard, Verreaux’s-, Booted- & Martial Eagles, African Harrier-hawk, Pale Chanting Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Karoo- & Southern Black Korhaans, Fynbos Buttonquail, Common Quail, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Karoo-, Red-capped- & Karoo Long-billed Larks, Karoo- & Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Chestnut-vented- & Layard’s Warblers, Grey- & Cape Penduline Tits, Protea Canary, Cape Siskin, and Lark-like Bunting.

Contact details:

VanWyksdorp Tourism:
Tel: 064 664 8226
Email: info@vanwyksdorptourism.com

Permits:
No permits are required for these areas.