Birding
Birding on the Oribi Gorge Hotel Property. Abounding with picturesque grasslands, natural forests and rivers, the Oribi Gorge Hotel property is truly a birding and butterfly paradise. It is the perfect base to operate from when exploring the Ezinqoleni, Oribi Gorge and Weza forest areas.
WHAT IT IS: A treasure hunt in the sky – this is your chance to spot some of the most stunning feathered residents that call our gorge home.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: Because there’s something genuinely mesmerising about seeing an African Pygmy-Kingfisher dart over the water or hearing the call of the Crowned Eagle.
HOW IT WORKS: Equip yourself with binoculars and set out on an adventure (via foot or car) to our lookout points.
SUITABLE FOR: ALL
Oribi Gorge is renowned for its wide variety of bird species (over 350 recorded to date). Add a new dimension to your experience by flying like a bird in the highest gorge swing in the world.
Avid and casual birders will definitely have something to chirp about! Look out for the sought after Crowned Eagle, African Broadbill, Gurney’s Sugar Bird, Knysna Woodpecker and Cape Vulture species, just to mention a few. You can even enjoy lunch in the Wild Fig Tea Garden as you listen out for that particular bird call you’re hoping to hear…
Birding in the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
“Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is one of the most scenic and easily accessible birding spots in southern KwaZulu Natal. It is centered on a 24km long stretch of gorge along the Mzimkhulwana River. The tarred road winds down the gorge to a bridge that crosses the river, the road subsequently climbs steep gradients to the top of the valley on the far side, allowing easy access to a large area of the reserve and greatly facilitating birding. The reserve is 1 837ha in extent” Birdlife SA: 2009 Birding Tour
Specials: African broadbill, Olive Wood-pecker, Knysna Woodpecker, African Finfoot, Emerald Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo shrike, Striped Pipit, Narina Trogon, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Knysna Turaco, Purple-crested Turaco, African Wood-Owl, Yellow Weaver, Lemon Dove, Forest Buzzard, Cape Vulture, White-starred Robin, Brown-scrub Robin and Mountain Wagtail
Winter Visitors: Gurney’s Sugarbird, Cape Robin-Chat, Spotted Ground-Thrush and Malachite Sunbird
Oribi Gorge Hotel – now Birder Friendly
As a Birdlife SA-registered Birder Friendly Establishment, we are now able to cater for the needs of the growing market of birders – self-drive tours and tour groups alike.
Birding Safaris:
A qualified Birdlife South Africa guide’s services can be booked to conduct these relaxing, educational tours for your group.
Visit Birdlife Trogons for the latest birding news in the area.
