This Birdlife-SA accredited ´Birder-friendly establishment´ is situated on a 422-hectare farm, which straddles the Woodbush forest and the Bushveld habitats on the Northern Drakensburg escarpment. Kurisa Moya boasts excellent birding on site, including 7 species of Robin including White-starred and Chorister. Most notable are 5 Bush-Shrikes, with Black-fronted heading up the list. In this spectacular indigenous forest, other specials include the Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot, Grey Cuckooshrike, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Yellow-streaked Greenbul. The Bushveld areas have a range of cisticolas and warblers and the montane area is home to Gurney´s Sugarbird. Raptors include Rufous-chested and Black Sparrowhawk. Eight self-guided trails take birders through all five habitats and David Letsoalo, resident Birdlife-SA accredited guide, takes walks on the farm or excursions to Bat Hawk and Cape Parrot sites. Owners Ben and Lisa, experienced birders, provide comprehensive bird lists and early catering. Accommodation consists of two stilted log cabins in the indigenous forest; a luxury farmhouse for groups or a stone cottage with views that take your breath away. Camping is also an option and day visitors are welcome by prior arrangement. The lodge also offers massages, fly-fishing lessons, abseiling and sunset 4x4 drives. This electricity-free eco-lodge ensures privacy and a great birding experience. Rates: RR - RRR (s/c) (c)

This reserve on the escarpment of the Drakensberg, between Tzaneen and the Able Erasmus pass, has spectacular forest and rolling grasslands. There are historical records of Blue Swallows in the grassland, and this is a good site to see Black Saw-wing Swallow and other montane grassland species like Wing-snapping; Croaking and Wailing Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, Cape Rock Thrush, Buff-Streaked Chat, Broadtailed Warbler and Malachite Sunbird. The forested gorges hold Cape Parrot, Red-capped Robin Chat, White-starred Robin, African Emerald Cuckoo and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler to mention a few. The Reserve has various cottages that can be rented out and there is also a camp site.

Although this reserve is best known as the most reliable site for the isolated eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark, it also provides excellent bushveld, thornveld and grassveld birding. The extensive road network, walking trails and bird hides expose the visitor to a variety of habitats, which hold over 300 bird species. Localized species found here include: Northern Black Korhaan, Shelley´s Francolin, Double-banded Courser, Burchell´s Sandgrouse, Bushveld Pipit, Great Sparrow, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler, African Wren-Warbler and Tinkling Cisticola. Raptors are also well represented here with African Hawk-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Secretary Bird, Wahlberg´s Eagle, Greater Kestrel and Gabar Goshawk all of which breed in the reserve. The Short-clawed Lark is best found where the main loop cuts through areas of short grassland with scattered shrubs. Listen for its high-pitched whistle and scan the tops of the broad-leaved Gymnosporia shrubs and Acacia trees. At the reserve´s entrance gate there is a neat camping ground, caravan park and comfortable chalet accommodation. A self-catering guesthouse is also situated within the reserve. To reach the reserve (formerly known as Pietersburg Game Reserve) from the N1 south of the city, turn onto the Tzaneen bypass road - R71/R81. Turn right onto the Silicon Road at the second intersection and travel for another 800m. The reserve entrance is on the right. From Polokwane itself, travel along Dorp Street in a southerly direction, passing the sports stadium and golf course until the road becomes Silicon Road. Rates: R - RR (s/c) Opening Times: 07h00 - 16h30

This provincial nature reserve, which includes the Eiland Holiday Resort, has many of the lowveld´s best qualities including fine tracts of Mopane and red bush-willow woodland, riverine forest, saline patches and doleritic ridges. A stretch of 10km of the Great Letaba River forms the northern boundary of the reserve. The special here is Arnot´s Chat, which is best looked for in the mature Mopane woodland along the tourist drive in the main portion of the reserve. Other lowveld birds of interest in the reserve include Greater Blue-eared Starling, Red and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Bennett´s Woodpecker, Southern White-crowned Shrike and Stierling´s Wren-Warbler. The trail that runs along the river is good for Retz´s Helmet-Shrike, Thick-billed Cuckoo (summer), Brown-headed Parrot, Yellow-throated Petronia and Red-headed Weaver. There is good camping and chalet accommodation at the Eiland Holiday Resort and a rustic trail camp within the reserve itself. Rates: R - RR (s/c)