BIRDING HOTSPOTS IN & AROUND MTUNZINI

Mtunzini offers several self-guided trails through a variety of safe unspoilt habitats which makes it an excellent area for birding. The main birding spots include the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, the Raphia Palm Monument and around Twinstreams Environmental Centre but visitors are often most surprised at the rich birdlife found in their B&B gardens.
The local specials are the Palmnut vulture - attracted to the area by the large number of raphia palms planted in the swamp forests in the town and on surrounding farms, Green twinspot, Grey sunbird, African cuckoo hawk, African finfoot, Narina trogon and the Mangrove kingfisher during the winter months. Mtunzini is also the feeding habitat of large numbers of Trumpeter hornbills and Woolly-necked storks.
If you are a keen birder and need to push up your check list with some rare ‘specials’ then the annual Mtunzini Birding Weekend in June or July may be your chance to get those all-important ticks!
The popular four-day event gives birding enthusiasts a chance to find several rare species while exploring some little-known birding hotspots with top class guides.
Hosted by Mtunzini Conservancy and using the Twinstreams Environmental Centre as its base, the weekend is limited to 24 birders who are arranged into smaller groups and covers a diverse range of habitats including Ongoye Forest, Dlinza Forest, and the Umlalazi and Amatikulu nature reserves with guides trained by Birdlife SA.
During winter the specials include the Mangrove Kingfisher, the Spotted Ground-thrush, the Palmnut Vulture and the Green Barbet which has only ever been recorded in South Africa in Ongoye Forest.
Besides the birding, the evening entertainment includes braais organized by the very sociable staff of Twinstreams Environmental Centre as well as presentations by some top local birders, including local resident and former Roberts Birds editor, Hugh Chittenden.
During the year, the Mtunzini Conservancy also hosts Saturday morning walks which give residents and visitors a pleasant atmosphere in which to brush up their knowledge of birds and trees.
• Check the Mtunzini Conservancy Newsletter for dates.
• More information on excellent nearby birding hotspots:
Umlalazi Nature Reserve >>
Twinstreams Environmental Centre >>
Ongoye Forest >>
Amatikulu Nature Reserve >>
Dlinza Forest and Aerial Boardwalk >>
Ntumeni Forest >>
Nkandla Forest >>
Isimangaliso Wetland Park >>
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park >>

ZULULAND BIRDING ROUTE

To book overnight accommodation in a three-bedroom hut at the Ongoye Forest Birders' Camp contact 083 225 5960 or email Zululand Birding Route.

Zululand has a spectacular 605 bird species and a wonderful range of destinations where they occur.

It is a treasure trove of 'specials' from the Green Barbet (found only at Ongoye Forest outside Mtunzini), the globally-threatened spotted Ground Thrush in Dlinza Forest, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons, Crowned Eagles, Green Twinspots, the little known Mangrove Kingfisher (at Umlalazi Nature Reserve) to the magnificent Palmnut Vultures of Mtunzini.

The Zululand Birding Route links the top 70 birding spots in Zululand into 14 local routes in three regions. The routes in the vicinity of Eshowe and Mtunzini form the southern region.

The Zululand Birding Route also offers a network of experienced local guides available for birders to use at very affordable rates.

Not only do these guides assist you with their excellent observation skills and finding the 'specials' but also add great value to any birding outing by providing security and peace of mind when traveling in some more out of the way areas.