This is the closest part of the province to Gauteng being only 80km from Pretoria. It offers good bushveld and broadleaved woodland birding as well as a good diversity of water birds. Goliath and Black Heron, Comb Duck and White-Backed Duck can be seen on the dam as well as a host of wader including Wood and Common Sandpipers. The acacia woodland holds Barred Wren-Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher Cape Penduline Tit and in the Broadleaved woodland look out for Coqui Francolin, Great Sparrow and Flappet Lark. Various rarities have been found here as well, with a Greater Frigate bird and Golden Pipit boosting the reserves lists. To get there, take the N1 north and take the Hammanskraal off ramp and follow the signs to Rust de Winter.

At the traffic circle opposite the Aventura holiday resort in Bela-Bela look out for African green Pigeon amongst the large trees as you leave town. The first 20 Kms of this route is relatively quiet on the bird front except for the ubiquitous Magpie (Long-tailed) Shrike and the odd Pearl-spotted Owlet perched on the telephone lines. Along the Mabalingwe area approximately 20 kms out of town look out for Burchell’s starling. Other specials to look out for are Purple roller and Red breasted Swallow. Raptors are also present and look out for Lizard buzzard perched on the telephone lines. Chances to see larger raptors such as Black-chested, and Brown Snake- eagle and African Hawk-eagle improve as you travel westwards. Sixty kilometers from town is the turnoff signposted Leeupoort Residence. Turn right at the sign and continue for 500 metres, turn right and then right again at the primary school. Continue until you reach a cul-de-sac and look out for Bronze-winged Courser along the road verge After 70 Kms you reach the small town of Leeupoort (Look out for the Leeukrans sign board) Some rocky hills on the Northern side (Right hand side) of the road, opposite Leeupoort might produce Verreaux’s Eagle. Although present elsewhere on this road, eastern paradise whydah are fairly common on the section of road between Leeupoort and the T-junction at Koedoeskop.