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 45 km route descends the Drakensberg mountains following the Magabane river starting at Mafefe about 60km south of Polokwane and ends at Ofcolaco after traveling through the Legalameetsi Nature Reserve. The road is a 4 x 4 track for about 15km that takes you through riverine habitat offering a variety of bushveld birds, as well as Cape Vulture Verraux’s Eagle and Rock Kestrel. It then becomes a tar road that leads through a the Grasslands of the Downs, in the Legalameetsi Nature Reserve, in this area look out for Cloud, Wing-snapping and Croaking Cisticola as well as Gurney’s Sugarbirds, and Malachite Sunbirds. As you head down the escarpment you will travel through forests that hold Cape Parrot, White-starred Robin and Orange Ground Thrush. Once in the lowveld look out for bushveld birds like Grey-headed Bushshrike, Emerald Spotted Wood-Dove and White-browed Scrub-Robin. The route takes a full day to complete if birded slowly and an entrance fee is required to be paid at the Legalameetsi Nature Reserve. Directions: From Polokwane take the R37 south, after about 60km turn left to Mafefe. Once in the village of Mafefe, after about 30km, follow the road to the left and follow the river, this will take you onto the Orrie Baragwanath pass. A high clearance vehicle is needed and enquire about the road conditions after heavy rain. GPS points will be listed on the website www.limpopobirding.com under the CLBR page, and guides can be contacted through the booking office at 083 294

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.