Visit the amazing Vulture Viewing Hide

Take your holiday experience to the next level! Visit the amazing Vulture Viewing Hide next time you are in the breath-taking Oribi Gorge region.

The South Coast’s Umzimkhulu Valley is home to a breeding colony of Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres). Offering visitors the unusual experience of observing wild Cape Vultures at fairly close quarters in their natural habitat.

With a vulnerable population of only 8000, which is near endemic to southern Africa. The 120-bird Vulture Hide at Oribi is a highly significant colony. Especially considering it started with a mere 20 birds in the year 2000.

Located close to the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, The Barry Porter Memorial Vulture Viewing Hide (14 km from Oribi Gorge Hotel & Wild 5 Adventures) overlooks a “vulture restaurant”. Visitors can experience a 2-hour vulture viewing and close-range photo opportunity at the cliff’s edge with vultures soaring at eye level.

The Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide is a non-profit voluntary association which aims to create awareness of the importance of these magnificent birds in our environment. As well as the dire threats posed to this often misunderstood species. Visitors should book in advance for this rare experience at a highly affordable rate of R100 p/adult, minimum charge of R300, maximum 15 people and 50% discount for children 5-11 years.

Vulture species that can be spotted include the Cape Vulture, White-backed Vulture and Ruppell’s Vulture. Other specials to look out for include the Yellow-billed Kite, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, Lanner Falcon, Rock Martin, Alpine Swift, African Marsh-Harrier, Croaking Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Common Quail, Red-capped Lark, Rufous-naped Lark, African Pipit, Plain-backed Pipit. To name but a few.

Apart from vultures, spot the Knysna Woodpecker in Oribi Gorge and Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. The Black-rumped Buttonquail, Grass Owl, Broad-tailed Warbler, Pale-crowned Cisticola and Short-tailed Pipit in the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve. Weza Ngele Forest is home to Cape Parrots, Orange Thrushes, Bush Blackcaps and Forest Buzzards and in the nearby grasslands find Blue Swallows. Common forest residents include the Burchell’s Coucal, Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot and Grey Waxbill.

For more information:

Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide – Chairman and Project Coordinator Andy Ruffle andyruffle@yahoo.co.uk; bookings.vulturehide@yahoo.co.za ; +27 39 695 0829; +27 72 893 3794

So keep your eyes to the sky next time you are visiting us at Wild 5 Adventures. The wild life in our area is almost just as thrilling as the adrenaline filled activities on offer here.

For more information on our available activities, please contact us (082) 566-7424 | info@wild5adventures.co.za

Please note Wild 5 Adventures is closed on the first Monday of every month for regular maintenance.

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Source: South Coast Tourism