This is the only reliable place in South Africa to find Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, one of our region´s top 10 birds. Other species found on and around the dam are African Pygmy Goose, Horus Swift, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Red-backed Mannikins and Lesser Moorhen. This private farm dam is magical. A bird hide has been built on the dam and trails have been laid out around the dam. The owner of the property kindly allows birdwatchers to visit his dam free of charge. Please respect his privacy and his property. To get there: From the R524, 21 km east out of Makhado, turn left into the property ´Royal Macadamia´. As you turn off the main road, keep right. Pass the macadamia nut orchard (on your left) and banana plantation (on your right) and 800 meters on, park your car next to the bat box (just before crossing the dam wall). Find your way around the dams following the paths. Horus swifts use the soil bank, just across the wall. The Blue-spotted Dove is usually found on the northern side of the dams. If you are there after hours then look around the pack sheds just to the west of the dam for the dove.

This is the only reliable place in South Africa to find Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, one of our region´s top 10 birds. Other species found on and around the dam are African Pygmy Goose, Horus Swift, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Red-backed Mannikins and Lesser Moorhen. This private farm dam is magical. A bird hide has been built on the dam and trails have been laid out around the dam. The owner of the property kindly allows birdwatchers to visit his dam free of charge. Please respect his privacy and his property. To get there: From the R524, 21 km east out of Makhado, turn left into the property ´Royal Macadamia´. As you turn off the main road, keep right. Pass the macadamia nut orchard (on your left) and banana plantation (on your right) and 800 meters on, park your car next to the bat box (just before crossing the dam wall). Find your way around the dams following the paths. Horus swifts use the soil bank, just across the wall. The Blue-spotted Dove is usually found on the northern side of the dams. If you are there after hours then look around the pack sheds just to the west of the dam for the dove.

Whether you are a beginner birder or an experienced birder, you have to visit the Mapungubwe National Park. The abundance of birdlife is quite spectacular and there are lots of specials to find. Two large hides have been built, one in bushveld habitat and one on the Limpopo River. A Tree Top walkway through the forest canopy on the banks of the Limpopo River has also been developed especially for bird watching. All hides are wheelchair-friendly. The other attraction of the park is the great number and variety of archaeological sites. These date from early Stone Age and Iron Age to the present. The most notable of the sites is Mapungubwe Hill. The artefacts found on these sites reflect one of the most complex social and political entities in Africa during the 8th and 9th Centuries. Guided night drives are offered, but no walking trails, as there are dangerous animals in the Park. For an additional fee the park also offers an Eco-route, which is a self-drive route through some of the remoter parts of the park, and a guided trail into a limited motorised zone. The park offers a number of self-catering accommodation options: Leokwe Rest Camp (14 units), Limpopo Forest Tented Camp (7 units), Tshugulu Lodge (sleeps 12). Rates: RRR - RRRR (s/c)

Medike Mountain Reserve is nestled deep in the Sand River Gorge in the heart of the Soutpansberg Mountains. Marietjie and Hannes Underhay, the owners, have a deep love for the region as well as a broad knowledge of the natural history of the Soutpansberg. The best way to savour Medike´s rich ecological diversity is on foot. More than 30 km of marked hiking trails meander through forested kloofs, rugged gorges, waterfalls, archaeological sites and mountain streams. The diversity of natural habitats (Afrotemperate Forest, Woodlands, Riverine forest, Montane Grassland and Arid Mountain Bushveld) found on Medike, affords a large variety of fauna and flora. Nearly 200 bird species have been identified, including the Crested Guineafowl, Peregrine Falcon, Lanner Falcon, African Crowned Eagle, Eastern Nicator and the Narina Trogon. Other bird specials include the African Fish-Eagle, Osprey, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Little Sparrow-Hawk, Gabar Goshawk, Purple Crested and Knysna Turacos. Accommodation is fully equipped self-catering or with the option of meals. Murango Boulder Cottage sleeps 7 and is built into gigantic boulders on the banks of the Sand River. Dzhiawolala Pioneer Cottage sleeps 7 and is a restored old trading post, dating from the early nineteen thirties. Masianoke Log Cabin sleeps 4 and is nestled in the mountainside with a wooden deck overlooking the cliffs of the Sand River Gorge. Rates R-RR (s/c) RRR (c)