Southern KZN Birding Route
Media
Press Release - 27 October 2007
Superb new birding route awaits KwaZulu-Natal visitors
Birders drawn to the famed ornithological bounty of KwaZulu-Natal have a new route that showcases not only the startling diversity of the province’s birdlife, but also its range of habitats and its hospitality.
The Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is a project of BirdLife South Africa’s avitourism division, with the SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership as the primary funding partner on the project. The route has four components: the South Coast, Midlands, Sisonke and eThekwini routes.
The route takes visitors from the golden beaches and dense, lush forests of North and South coasts through the beautiful Lowveld and up to the spectacular heights of the Drakensberg Mountains.
These scenic backdrops alone lure travelers into memorable road trips, but a bird list of 500 species including many rare and endemic species such as Blue Swallow, Cape Parrot, Drakensberg Rock-jumper, Eurasian Bittern, all three of Southern Africa’s Crane species and Bearded Vulture make this an unforgettable outing for twitchers both grizzled and green.
Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF in South Africa, says: “Most of us living in this country do not realize the extent to which a diversity of biological wonders are compressed into a relatively small area such as we find in KZN. From the peaks and forested mountain ravines of the Drakensberg, one can cover rolling grasslands, mistbelt forests through to riverine coastal and estuarine regions within a single day. And on a north-south axis, one can cross from valley bushveld, mangrove forests and dune forests, all the way into thornveld savanna habitats. Each of these habitats supports a host of bird species that are unique to them. The diversity is absolutely extraordinary. However, this route is not only a place to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, but also provides an example of how those habitats can be harnessed to provide livelihoods and dignity for ordinary South Africans”.
Matthew Drew, from BirdLife South Africa, who manages the route, says its strength lies not only in its biodiversity, but also its potential for sustainable local economic development through community-based eco-tourism projects.
“The cornerstone of the route is its broad range of stakeholders which, through avitourism aims to create a sustainable economy and a community-wide appreciation of our precious natural heritage. This contribution will significantly assist in the conservation of threatened wetlands and forests in South Africa.”
Drew says that apart from fantastic birding, the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal offers complementary ecotourism activities, such as game viewing to tours and hikes through the mighty Drakensberg Massif.
This birding experience available to birders is complemented by the services of trained guides and a network of birder-friendly establishments.
Drew adds: “The human history of birding in Southern KwaZulu-Natal is almost as rich and colorful as the birds that inhabit this part of the world. For many of our community birding is not just a pastime but a life-long passion.
“Without the foundations in birding, ornithology and conservation laid by these men and women we would not have been able to create a birding route that we can be proud to share with the rest of the world.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership introduced community-based tourism as an alternative to the non-sustainable use of local forests and wetlands. They initiated sustainable eco-tourism programmes as an economically and environmentally sustainable way for rural South Africans to create livelihoods.
The Partnership contributed R1.2 million towards the development of the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route.
Andre Oberholzer, Group Head Corporate Affairs of Sappi, says: “Sappi has long been a supporter of birds and birding. Being a large landowner in South Africa it was logical for the company to invest in the conservation and research of birds on our lands and to sponsor the ongoing production of the definitive bird guide - Sappi Newmans Birds of Southern Africa. I am sure that the communities in Southern KwaZulu will benefit greatly from Sappi’s contribution to avitourism and to the Southern KwaZulu Natal Birding Route in particular.”
About the routes
• The Midlands Birding Route is the northernmost component of the Southern KZN Birding Route. Starting in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the location of the world-famous Giants Castle Vulture Hide, it winds down through the sandstone cliffs, basalt precipices and buttresses, through the foothills of the Drakensberg and into the picturesque rolling hillsides of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The Karkloof Conservation Centre is set in a beautiful location and birders have the opportunity to see all three Crane species in one outing. Other key Midlands birding attractions include some of the most reliable sites for Cape Parrots and Blue Swallows.
• The South Coast Birding Route encompasses a variety of habitats from coastal and wetland environments to forest, woodland and grassland and the forest birding to be had here is unparalleled. Southern Africa has two distinct forest avifaunas, the Afromontane forests and the rich tropical forest community that extends down the coast. It’s only on the South Coast Birding Route that these two diverse forest assemblages overlap, which is why birding in this area is hugely rewarding. Specials include the northernmost population of Knysna Woodpecker and other sought-after species such as Magpie Mannikin and African Broadbill.
• The Sisonke Birding Route lies inland and to the south-west of the Midlands Birding Route. This route begins in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the majestic Sani Pass, where birders get the unique opportunity to view birds in a rugged and stunningly beautiful environment, consisting of five different habitats and ranging in height from 1 600m to 3 200m. The heart of this route lies in the lowlands below the Sani Pass, in beautiful nature reserves and large tracts of pristine mist-belt forest and grassland. The Sisonke Birding Route is also home to the exciting new Marutswa Forest Boardwalk on the outskirts of the country village of Bulwer. This section of the route is home to sought-after endemic species such as Drakensberg Siskin, Drakensberg Rock-jumper, Gurney's Sugarbird and Cape Vulture.
•The eThekwini Metropolitan Area, including the harbour city of Durban offers a variety of prime birding spots with more than 400 species in such habitats as coastal lowland forest, wetlands (both fresh water and estuarine), coastal scarp forests, grasslands and bushveld. The eThekwini Natural Science Museum has world-class ornithological displays and collections. Durban is well known for its variety of waders and marine species, often turning up rarities such as Common Black-headed Gull.
For more information:
André Oberholzer
Group Head Corporate Affairs
Sappi Limited
Tel +27(0)11 407 8438
Fax +27 (0)11 403 8236
Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com
Marli van Wyk
Communications Manager
WWF South Africa
Tel +27 (0)21 888 2863
Cell +27 (0)84 212 2000
mvanwyk@wwf.org.za
Matthew Drew
BirdLife South Africa Avitourism
Project Manager
SKZN Birding Route
Cell +27 (0)82 325 3514
skzn@birdlife.org.za
Issued by:
William Smook
Meropa Communications
Tel +27 (0)21 683 6464
Cell +27 (0)83 357 2837
williams@meropa.co.za
Media
Press Release - 27 October 2007
Superb new birding route awaits KwaZulu-Natal visitors
Birders drawn to the famed ornithological bounty of KwaZulu-Natal have a new route that showcases not only the startling diversity of the province’s birdlife, but also its range of habitats and its hospitality.
The Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is a project of BirdLife South Africa’s avitourism division, with the SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership as the primary funding partner on the project. The route has four components: the South Coast, Midlands, Sisonke and eThekwini routes.
The route takes visitors from the golden beaches and dense, lush forests of North and South coasts through the beautiful Lowveld and up to the spectacular heights of the Drakensberg Mountains.
These scenic backdrops alone lure travelers into memorable road trips, but a bird list of 500 species including many rare and endemic species such as Blue Swallow, Cape Parrot, Drakensberg Rock-jumper, Eurasian Bittern, all three of Southern Africa’s Crane species and Bearded Vulture make this an unforgettable outing for twitchers both grizzled and green.
Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF in South Africa, says: “Most of us living in this country do not realize the extent to which a diversity of biological wonders are compressed into a relatively small area such as we find in KZN. From the peaks and forested mountain ravines of the Drakensberg, one can cover rolling grasslands, mistbelt forests through to riverine coastal and estuarine regions within a single day. And on a north-south axis, one can cross from valley bushveld, mangrove forests and dune forests, all the way into thornveld savanna habitats. Each of these habitats supports a host of bird species that are unique to them. The diversity is absolutely extraordinary. However, this route is not only a place to savour the wonders of our country’s natural habitats, but also provides an example of how those habitats can be harnessed to provide livelihoods and dignity for ordinary South Africans”.
Matthew Drew, from BirdLife South Africa, who manages the route, says its strength lies not only in its biodiversity, but also its potential for sustainable local economic development through community-based eco-tourism projects.
“The cornerstone of the route is its broad range of stakeholders which, through avitourism aims to create a sustainable economy and a community-wide appreciation of our precious natural heritage. This contribution will significantly assist in the conservation of threatened wetlands and forests in South Africa.”
Drew says that apart from fantastic birding, the Kingdom of KwaZulu-Natal offers complementary ecotourism activities, such as game viewing to tours and hikes through the mighty Drakensberg Massif.
This birding experience available to birders is complemented by the services of trained guides and a network of birder-friendly establishments.
Drew adds: “The human history of birding in Southern KwaZulu-Natal is almost as rich and colorful as the birds that inhabit this part of the world. For many of our community birding is not just a pastime but a life-long passion.
“Without the foundations in birding, ornithology and conservation laid by these men and women we would not have been able to create a birding route that we can be proud to share with the rest of the world.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The opening of the route represents the culmination of seven years of cooperation
between global pulp and paper producer Sappi and WWF, the conservation organisation, as well as rural communities who live near threatened indigenous forests and wetlands.
The SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership introduced community-based tourism as an alternative to the non-sustainable use of local forests and wetlands. They initiated sustainable eco-tourism programmes as an economically and environmentally sustainable way for rural South Africans to create livelihoods.
The Partnership contributed R1.2 million towards the development of the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route.
Andre Oberholzer, Group Head Corporate Affairs of Sappi, says: “Sappi has long been a supporter of birds and birding. Being a large landowner in South Africa it was logical for the company to invest in the conservation and research of birds on our lands and to sponsor the ongoing production of the definitive bird guide - Sappi Newmans Birds of Southern Africa. I am sure that the communities in Southern KwaZulu will benefit greatly from Sappi’s contribution to avitourism and to the Southern KwaZulu Natal Birding Route in particular.”
About the routes
• The Midlands Birding Route is the northernmost component of the Southern KZN Birding Route. Starting in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the location of the world-famous Giants Castle Vulture Hide, it winds down through the sandstone cliffs, basalt precipices and buttresses, through the foothills of the Drakensberg and into the picturesque rolling hillsides of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The Karkloof Conservation Centre is set in a beautiful location and birders have the opportunity to see all three Crane species in one outing. Other key Midlands birding attractions include some of the most reliable sites for Cape Parrots and Blue Swallows.
• The South Coast Birding Route encompasses a variety of habitats from coastal and wetland environments to forest, woodland and grassland and the forest birding to be had here is unparalleled. Southern Africa has two distinct forest avifaunas, the Afromontane forests and the rich tropical forest community that extends down the coast. It’s only on the South Coast Birding Route that these two diverse forest assemblages overlap, which is why birding in this area is hugely rewarding. Specials include the northernmost population of Knysna Woodpecker and other sought-after species such as Magpie Mannikin and African Broadbill.
• The Sisonke Birding Route lies inland and to the south-west of the Midlands Birding Route. This route begins in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site at the majestic Sani Pass, where birders get the unique opportunity to view birds in a rugged and stunningly beautiful environment, consisting of five different habitats and ranging in height from 1 600m to 3 200m. The heart of this route lies in the lowlands below the Sani Pass, in beautiful nature reserves and large tracts of pristine mist-belt forest and grassland. The Sisonke Birding Route is also home to the exciting new Marutswa Forest Boardwalk on the outskirts of the country village of Bulwer. This section of the route is home to sought-after endemic species such as Drakensberg Siskin, Drakensberg Rock-jumper, Gurney's Sugarbird and Cape Vulture.
•The eThekwini Metropolitan Area, including the harbour city of Durban offers a variety of prime birding spots with more than 400 species in such habitats as coastal lowland forest, wetlands (both fresh water and estuarine), coastal scarp forests, grasslands and bushveld. The eThekwini Natural Science Museum has world-class ornithological displays and collections. Durban is well known for its variety of waders and marine species, often turning up rarities such as Common Black-headed Gull.
For more information:
André Oberholzer
Group Head Corporate Affairs
Sappi Limited
Tel +27(0)11 407 8438
Fax +27 (0)11 403 8236
Andre.Oberholzer@sappi.com
Marli van Wyk
Communications Manager
WWF South Africa
Tel +27 (0)21 888 2863
Cell +27 (0)84 212 2000
mvanwyk@wwf.org.za
Matthew Drew
BirdLife South Africa Avitourism
Project Manager
SKZN Birding Route
Cell +27 (0)82 325 3514
skzn@birdlife.org.za
Issued by:
William Smook
Meropa Communications
Tel +27 (0)21 683 6464
Cell +27 (0)83 357 2837
williams@meropa.co.za
See Also
Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre
Ongoye Forest Birding Camp
Thonga Beach Lodge and the Mabibi Campsite
The Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve and Training Centre
Marutswa Forest Trail and Boardwalk
Southern KZN Birding Route
Location Info
Special thanks for images
© D Pritchard
© D Pritchard
Eco-tourism = Community + Environment
