This trail is being developed and will be set up by winter 2007. It will start in the Bewaarkloof passing Verreaux’s Eagle and Lanner Falcon nest sites and continue through spectacular grassland where you can look out for Wing-snapping; Croaking and Wailing Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, Cape Rock Thrush, Buff-streaked Chat, Broadtailed Warbler and Malachite Sunbird. The trail also passes through forest patches that hold Cape Parrot, Red-capped Robin Chat, White-starred Robin, African Emerald Cuckoo and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler. The trail will cross various streams and tufa waterfalls where the participants can cool off. The trail will end up on the Orrie Baragawanth pass and Legalameetse Nature Reserve. For more information contact Ben at 083 294 1013.

This four star protea hotel is situated about twenty kilometers south of Polokwane. The hotel has large well tended gardens that attract a host of birds in the dry seasons. Residents at the hotel have access to over a 1000 hectares of Polokwane Plateau Bushveld and many farm dams on the hotel property & wildlife conservancy. Over 240 birds have been recorded on the conservancy including White-backed Duck, Greater Kestrel, Northern-black Korhaan and Red-Throated Wryneck. Residents are welcome to explore the property by organized game drive or on mountain bikes or on foot. There is a heronry at one of the farm dams near the hotel that has up to 500 Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis, Grey Heron and Spoonbills roosting in it at certain times of the year. You will also see a variety of game on the farm including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Kudu, and Nyala. The Ranch is also home to more than 20 Lions in separate enclosures. The Ranch offers a variety of accommodation options from luxury suites with private Jacuzzi’s to inter-leading family rooms or deluxe rooms The hotel also offers game drives & lion tours, horse back riding, swimming pools and tennis courts. There are two restaurants, a coffee shop and a warm & friendly bar lounge. Special packed breakfasts can be arranged for early morning birding trips. This is an ideal venue from which to explore the Polokwane and Mokopane birding sites.

This provincial nature reserve was originally proclaimed in order to protect the Turfloop Dam and its associated wetland habitats. It has now also become a protected breeding site for the northernmost population of the Southern Bald Ibis. It falls within the Mamabolo vegetation-type and has many granite outcrops, which are typical of this habitat. The dam itself has fluctuating water levels depending on local rainfall, so conditions change seasonally. The dam has an open shoreline with some exposed mudflats in the summer, a feature which has probably led to this site having provided the odd vagrant wader, with species such as Ruddy Turnstone, Pectoral, Green, Broad-billed and Terek Sandpiper having been seen here over the past few years. The more common wetland species to be found here include Great-crested Grebe, Southern Pochard, Fulvous Duck, Hottentot Teal, Cape Shoveler, and Maccoa Duck. The rocky island in the dam is an important breeding site for White-breasted Cormorant, Black-headed Heron, African Sacred Ibis, Yellow-billed Egret and African Spoonbill. To get to this reserve take the R71 out of Polokwane and travel for just over 20km. At this point turn left at the traffic lights towards the University of Limpopo. Travel for 7,3km and look for an obscure turn-off to the right opposite two general dealer stores. Travel down this gravel road, passing several houses on the left until reaching the nature reserve fence. Turn left here; the entrance gate is a few hundred metres further on. Once through the gate, keep to the left track to the dam. From the east, the turn-off is 15,4 km from the Woodbush/Magoebaskloof T-junction. Entrance fees: R10 /person and R20 /vehicle Gate Times: 07h30 - 16h00

This is a perfect refreshing roadside stop along the R71 between Tzaneen and Phalaborwa as it is situated right on the banks of the Letaba River under shady trees. It has a pub and restaurant, which serves breakfasts and light meals. The river and riverine vegetation supports Goliath and Purple Heron, Little Egret, Thick-billed Weaver, African Jacana and Red-faced Cisticola while the tropical gardens hold White-browed and Red-capped Robin-Chat, Woodland Kingfisher, Purple Indigobird and Red-backed Mannikin. The turnoff to The Junction is at the Letsitele filling station, on the right just before crossing the river 30km from Tzaneen. Follow the signs from there.

The area below the Tzaneen Dam wall has become a popular birding spot over the past few years due to its interesting mix of habitats within a very restricted area. On entering Tzaneen from the R71, turn left at the first 4-way stop just after the large filling station on the right. Travel along Voortrekker Street and pass through an arched security gate marked Tzangeni. A little further up the road the tangled tall grassland on the right often produces Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Cape Grassbird, Red-collared Widowbird and Yellow Bishop. Park opposite the T-junction and walk along the top of the dam for a quick look out over the dam, checking for large water birds like Goliath Heron, African Fish-Eagle, Osprey or Yellow-billed Stork. More interesting birding lies below the dam wall. At the T-junction turn right and drive down to the parking area at the yellow boom just before the bridge. On the way down, scan the lawns opposite the wall for Long-billed and Plain-backed Pipit and Yellow-throated Longclaw. The large wild fig trees host many fruit-eating species such as Barbets, African Green Pigeon and Purple-crested Turaco. Bird from the small bridge across the Letaba River below the sluice gates. Here one can often see African Pied and Mountain Wagtail, Red-faced Cisticola, Golden Weaver, Wire-tailed -,and Grey-rumped Swallow, Black Saw-wing and Half-collared Kingfisher. The thickets around the picnic area are home to Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Red-capped and White-browed Robin-Chat and Bearded Scrub-Robin.