The Department of Water Affairs owns an extensive part of the water frontage on the dam. This can be reached quite easily through the main gate, near the dam wall. From this point one should look out for Osprey in summer as they are often near this end of the dam. The normal array of waterbirds such as White-breasted Cormorant, Green-backed Heron, African Darter can be seen here, but best of all is the large tract of sour bushveld criss-crossed by numerous roads which you can drive or walk along. Here you will find plenty of bushveld birds and will be able to push up your species totals for your trip. This is one of the few places in the region that you can find Yellow-throated Longclaw. To get there: Take the R524 east from Makhado; 21 km out of town turn right down the gravel road marked ´Albasini´. The picnic site is 2.5 km further on, on the right. Just through the entrance gate take a sharp turn right and find your way along the roads. Please note that the best birding on the dam is done by boat trip organized by Luonde or Shiluvari on the southern side of the dam. Opening Hours: 7:00 - 18:00 • Entry Fee: R15 per vehicle, R5 per person.

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.

The Department of Water Affairs owns an extensive part of the water frontage on the dam. This can be reached quite easily through the main gate, near the dam wall. From this point one should look out for Osprey in summer as they are often near this end of the dam. The normal array of waterbirds such as White-breasted Cormorant, Green-backed Heron, African Darter can be seen here, but best of all is the large tract of sour bushveld criss-crossed by numerous roads which you can drive or walk along. Here you will find plenty of bushveld birds and will be able to push up your species totals for your trip. This is one of the few places in the region that you can find Yellow-throated Longclaw. To get there: Take the R524 east from Makhado; 21 km out of town turn right down the gravel road marked ´Albasini´. The picnic site is 2.5 km further on, on the right. Just through the entrance gate take a sharp turn right and find your way along the roads. Please note that the best birding on the dam is done by boat trip organized by Luonde or Shiluvari on the southern side of the dam. Opening Hours: 7:00 - 18:00 • Entry Fee: R15 per vehicle, R5 per person.

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.

One of the best-known birding spots in this area is this lovely picnic site in the far north of the Kruger National Park. The reason that this area has such good bird specials is because of its proximity to the Mozambique coast and the Limpopo River that acts as a migration corridor to birds normally found further east and north. Do not restrict yourself to the picnic site alone, but cover the whole area along the S64 and S63 roads. The bridge over the Levubu River is particularly rewarding. Bird specials are African Cuckoo Hawk, Pel´s Fishing-Owl, Bohm´s Spinetail, Trumpeter Hornbill, White-crowned Lapwing, Tropical Boubou and Black-throated Wattle-eye is found at Crooks Corner. The Park gate is open between 5:30 - 18:30 in summer and 6:00 - 17:30 in winter. An entry fee is charged. The picnic site is on the Levhubu River 25 km from the Pafuri Gate.

Golwe Picnic and Campsite is a large shady site situated in a secluded valley in Venda off the Masisi Road. The site is rural and tranquil, an ideal place to get-away to. Bird watching is good in and around the campsite. At dawn one can hear African Broadbill around the campsite. Other special birds are Pink-throated Twinspot, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and Crowned Hornbill. Marked circular trails lead from the campsite up the valley and to a waterfall. The campsite offers a convenient base from which to visit Mpaphuli Cycad Reserve, Makhuya Park and the Gundani Brachystegia Woodland. We recommend booking Christopher Nethonzhe, who is the local site guide (Birdlife SA accredited) to guide you along the trails. Golwe is owned and run by members of the Vhurivhuri community. All proceeds go towards the development of the community and supporting unemployed people in the village. The campsite has ablution facilities with hot/cold water and flushing toilets, braai stands, picnic tables and 4 camp sites. Firewood is available to buy. The area is multifunctional and can accommodate people who want to have open-air meetings and parties. The site is accessible to 2-wheel drive vehicles and caravans. How to get there: From the south - Turn off the R524 towards Thohoyandou. Drive through Thohoyandou to Sibasa and straight on to the T-junction indicating Donald Fraser Hospital (left) and Masisi (right). Go right towards Masisi. Continue towards Masisi for another 37 km. (At time of writing the last 25km of this road which is gravel was to be tarred) Turn right off the road towards Lambani/ Gunda and follow the signboards to the site for another 1,8 km. From the north - Turn off the R525 at Masisi towards Tshikondeni Mine. Do not take the left turn to the mine but continue straight on towards Sibasa/Thohoyandou for another +/- 25km. The site is sign posted off this road to your right. Contact details: Booking is not required, but notice of your arrival is appreciated, so that preparations can be made. Christopher Nethonzhe: 076 302 9383 (Community Representative) Ernest: 076 196 3691 (Community Representative) Rates/Entry Fee: R5 per adult entry. R5 per vehicle. R30 per adult camping. Day visitors welcome.

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)