The Elephant Coast - Untamed Spirit of the Zulu Kingdom

Birding or Bird Watching on the Elephant Coast

The Elephant Coast with its huge variety of habitats is home to an estimated 600 species of birds offering some of South Africa's finest birding. It is literally a bird watchers paradise.

In line with International trends TKZN, The Zululand Birding Route and the Hluhluwe Tourism Association are working together to conserve our natural resources, develop sustainable tourism and share an appreciation of birding with travellers, holidaymakers and visitors to the Elephant Coast.

To celebrate the diversity of the bird life in the broader area a team of our renowned birders, with the help and support of local birding guides, are going to attempt to record 300 species in 24 hours, no easy task! For those who want to learn more about birding we're hosting a Beginners Birding Course and special field trips with experienced local guides for more information see page 40.

Within the Elephant Coast visitors can explore five sub- birding routes whilst enjoying a choice of accommodation, good roads and the expertise of trained local birding guides that enhance your "Birding" experience.

The Tongaland route in the north is flanked by the Lebombo Mountains on the west and the Indian Ocean on the east, the central area forms the Phongolo floodplains made up of pans linked with streams that intermingle with lala palm savannah, bush clumps and riverine forest down to the dense green coastal dune forest of Kosi Bay. Ndumo and Tembe are world-renowned birding destinations; Tembe is the only place in South Africa where plain-backed sunbirds are seen regularly.

To the south another world-renowned mecca for bird lovers is the Mkhuze Route (more than 400 species have been recorded here). Experience the diversity of habitats from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo mountain range to the broad stretches of gently rolling acacia savannah, swamps a variety of woodlands, sand forest and riverine forests, not to mention the ancient dunes that form sandy red ridges renowned for their seasonal and permanent pans with hippo, crocodiles and abundant bird life.

East of the Mkhuze Route lies the Sodwana route, a manner better known for diving, but also an area that encompasses a wide range of habitats attracting all sorts of birds. From the sand forest and thornveld of Phinda to the lush, subtropical forests of Lake Sibaya (South Africa's largest freshwater lake) to the wetlands of Muzi and the palm savannah of Ozabeni.

The Muzi Swamps area is another birders' paradise with large numbers of water birds, enjoy herons, waders and ducks on trails that lead you through the Fig Forests, pans and wetlands. Ozabeni's Palm Savannah offers some exciting birding in an unusual habitat, one of the few places in South Africa where all three Longclaw species (Rosy Throated, Cape and Yellow Throated), can be found in one place. Another magical spot is the Nibela Peninsular at the northern edge of Lake St Lucia with its mixed woodland and huge floodplain area.

To the west the Hluhluwe Route (named after the thorny monkey rope called umHluhluwe) incorporates the well known Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, internationally acclaimed for its conservation efforts and home to the big five: lions, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. It is also home to the Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Snake Eagle and a variety of vultures species.

Outside the park Bonamanzi is another one of South Africa's top birding spots boasting over 350 species. The reserves on the western shores of Lake St. Lucia, offer abundant water forest birding with great walking trails and breathtaking scenery.

The St. Lucia Route on the southern tip of the Elephant Coast is home to over 400 Species, the lake itself is one of South Africa's most important water bird breeding areas. You're assured of some great birding in one of South Africa's most bio-diverse areas. Birders, or anyone who likes to walk in a naturally beautiful environment, can take advantage of self-guided trails and relax in hides - whilst trying to remember the names of the birds you're observing. Birding on foot with waterbuck and reedbuck grazing in the background and hippos snorting from the pans makes for an extra special experience.

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