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Circular Tour of the Soutpansberg and Limpopo Valley — 10 Day route (9 ni |
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This tour takes you into the majestic Soutpansberg Mountains, through the Kruger National Park and then along Limpopo River Valley. It covers as many habitat types as possible and in this way you take full advantage of the great diversity of birds found in this area. |
Day 6 |
Leave early so that you can make a stop at the Blouberg Nature Reserve or Langjan on your way to the Western Soutpansberg to spend two nights in one of the lodges situated up in the Western Soutpansberg Mountains. Acc: I |
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Members
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 Situated on the southern cliffs of Blouberg mountain is the largest breeding colony of endangered Cape Vulture in Southern Africa. The colony has approximately 700 breeding pairs. Cape Griffon is endemic to Southern Africa and numbers are declining throughout their range due to poisoning and the muti trade. Janine and Peter Snyman have dedicated their lives to protecting this colony. They are involved in a number of activities ranging from raptor rehabilitation to environmental education in the local community. When they are able to, they monitor the breeding cliffs. This they have done annually for over 10 years. They run an environmental centre and a reptile-breeding project on site. Over the last few years a Ruppell´s Vulture, which is normally a rare visitor to Southern Africa, has been breeding in the Blouberg Colony. Janine will guide field trips to the vulture colony and during breeding season there is a chance of seeing the Ruppell´s Vulture. Booking is essential and a fee is charged. As they run a Non Profit Organisation all donations are welcome. A visit to the project is highly recommended. Access is through Blouberg Nature Reserve.
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Tel: 0730111770 |
e-mail:|
eagle1@pixie.co.za
Website: www.blouberg.org
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 Buzzard Mountain Retreat was one of the first privately owned areas in the Soutpansberg to become known to the birding fraternity. To this day it is still one of the best-known birding spots in this area. It is situated on the southern slopes and top of the mountain. Habitat varies from Sweet Mixed Bushveld to Afrotemperate Mist-belt Forest to Afromontane Grasslands with Proteas where Cape Rock Thrush, Cape Grassbird, Malachite Sunbird and Gurney´s Sugarbird are found. From the high cliffs, overlooking the mountains one gets excellent views of a variety of raptors especially falcons. Look out for Lanner & Peregrine Falcon, Verreaux´s Eagle and Jackal Buzzard. Before descending from the cliffs keep a sharp eye out for the Cape Eagle-Owls as they live on this rocky plateau. Walk along the trails through the forests below the cliffs and look out for Orange-winged Pytilia, Green Twinspot, Lemon Dove, Forest Buzzard and Aryer´s Hawk-Eagle to name just a few. The very affordable accommodation consists of fully equipped self-catering stone cottages and basic wooden cabins for camping. Day visits must be booked in advance.
Rates: R - RR (s/c)
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Tel: 015 516 4896 | Cel: 083 469 2526 | Fax: 015 516 4896 | |
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 Camp Africa is situated on the fringes of indigenous forest and has a beautiful view over Makhado (Louis Trichardt) and of the plains to the south of the Soutpansberg mountains. The camp is on forestry land close to Hanglip Forest. Birds in the area are typical forest species such as Knysna Turaco, Lemon Dove, Chorister Robin-Chat and African Firefinch. A pair of Crowned Eagles nest in a large tree close to the camp. The camp is owned and run by Masazane Expeditions who run guided 4x4 and 2x4 trails in the Soutpansberg. The camp consists of five huts (originally used on the old Soutpansberg Hiking Trail). Each hut contains two single beds and a double bunker, i.e. four beds. The kitchen area has two fireplaces and a double sink. The ablution block has a separate ladies and gents’ area, each having its own toilet, washbasin and two showers with hot water from a geyser. There is also an outside ´lapa-fireplace´. Tel: 082 829 5421 • Fax: 015 516 4819
• e-mail: mailto:info@masazane.co.za• web: http://www.masazane.co.za/
Rates: R (camping) RRR (per hut)
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Tel: 082 829 5421 | Fax: 015 516 4819 |
e-mail:|
info@masazane.co.za
Website: www.masazane.co.za
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.jpg) An easily accessible Afro-temperate Mist-belt forest with a picnic site and short trails. This is an old birders haunt and the birding is good. Listen out for the resident Scaly-throated Honeyguide in the picnic site. This is the best place to find White-starred Robin and Yellow-streaked Greenbul. A short (20min) circular walk starts from the picnic site (Follow footprints which start from the road 10m before the boom gate at the picnic site, opposite the pine compartment). Getting there: In Louis Trichardt (Makhado), take Krogh Street due north, towards the mountain. Krogh Street becomes Forestry Road and takes you straight to the Hanglip Plantation gate. From here follow the main road all the way up to the Picnic Site, there are some signboards. It is about 8 km from the gate to the Picnic Site. Entry fee is: R10 p/v R5 p/p • Rates: R |
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 Harnham House is on the Bluegumspoort road not far out of Makhado (Louis Trichardt). The Bluegumspoort road runs along a valley on the top of the Soutpansberg mountains making it one of the most scenic drives in the area. The vegetation is montane grasslands with mosaic forest patches in the kloofs. On the property there are lovely mountain streams and dams. There are no marked trails, but you can wonder up the mountain at your leisure. Birds to see here are Long-crested Eagle, African Wood-Owl, Black Saw-wing, Cape Batis, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Streaky-headed Seed-eater. There are three options for accommodation: The House which has five bedrooms and sleeps 10 - 12 guests with a fully equipped kitchen, DSTV lounge, fire place, pool, Jacuzzi and private Boma; the Mountain Cottage which is a self catering unit with two bedrooms and sleeps 4 guests and lastly two 4-bed chalets on the dam with boma and braai areas. Camping is also available with ablution facilities. Full catering is by prior arrangement.
Rates: RRR (s/c & c)
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Tel: 015 517 7260 | Cel: 082 894 1636 |
e-mail:|
alls@mweb.co.za
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 Lajuma is situated high up on the southern slopes of the Soutpansberg mountain range. Ian Gaigher, the owner, has been very involved in setting up the Western Soutpansberg Conservancy and has a strong interest and knowledge of the mountain and its natural environment. The farm has afro-temperate forest, riverine forest, wetlands, woodlands, thickets and montane grassland. Bird specials are breeding pairs of Verreaux´s Eagle, African Crowned Eagle and Jackal Buzzard. Crested Guineafowl and Narina Trogon are abundant. Mountain Wagtail, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Grey Cuckoo Shrike and White-Starred Robin are found as well as six species of pigeons and doves. Three types of accommodation are available all of which are separate, en suite and fully equipped for self-catering. The Waterfall Lodge is situated in an isolated valley overlooking a small waterfall. The lodge consists of two chalets, each with a double and a single bed, and an enclosed lapa with kitchen, lounge and fireplace. The Forest Chalet is nestled against a forest with a view of the mountain in front. This can accommodate two people or a couple with small children. The Wilderness Camp can accommodate up to 30 people in six units.
Rates: RR-RRR (s/c & c)
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Tel: 015 593 0352 | Cel: 083 308 7027 | Fax: 015 593 0352 |
e-mail:|
Leopard@Lajuma.com
Website: www.Lajuma.com
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 Once you have been to Lesheba, you are going to want to go again and again. It stretches along the top of the Soutpansberg Mountains. The bird life is good: over 260 species have been recorded on this property alone. The tree diversity is also very high, with over 380 different plant species. Peter, your host, is passionate about trees and a walk with him will make you wonder why you have become a birdwatcher and not a botaniser. Game includes leopard, white rhino, wildebeest and giraffe, which you can see on foot or on game drives. A wide variety of habitat types are found on the farm: open grassland, woodland, arid mountain bushveld and afro-temperate mistbelt forest. There are 10 marked hiking trails of varying length, covering most of the farm. Two exclusive bush camps, both fully equipped for self-catering. Full catering is offered from The Village. Internationally acclaimed Venda artist, Noria Mabasa, helped create the Venda Village. At the village there is a luxury outdoor bathroom and a thatched lapa with fireplace. The Village sleeps 13 sharing; with en-suite accommodation. The second bush camp, Hamasha, has four en-suite bedrooms with a lounge, indoor fireplace and braai and sleeps 8 sharing.
Rates: RRR (s/c) RRRR (c)
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Tel: 015 593 0076 | Cel: 083 444 0456 |
e-mail:|
magic@lesheba.co.za
Website: www.lesheba.co.za
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 Medike Mountain Reserve is nestled deep in the Sand River Gorge in the heart of the Soutpansberg Mountains. Marietjie and Hannes Underhay, the owners, have a deep love for the region as well as a broad knowledge of the natural history of the Soutpansberg. The best way to savour Medike´s rich ecological diversity is on foot. More than 30 km of marked hiking trails meander through forested kloofs, rugged gorges, waterfalls, archaeological sites and mountain streams. The diversity of natural habitats (Afrotemperate Forest, Woodlands, Riverine forest, Montane Grassland and Arid Mountain Bushveld) found on Medike, affords a large variety of fauna and flora. Nearly 200 bird species have been identified, including the Crested Guineafowl, Peregrine Falcon, Lanner Falcon, African Crowned Eagle, Eastern Nicator and the Narina Trogon. Other bird specials include the African Fish-Eagle, Osprey, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Little Sparrow-Hawk, Gabar Goshawk, Purple Crested and Knysna Turacos. Accommodation is fully equipped self-catering or with the option of meals. Murango Boulder Cottage sleeps 7 and is built into gigantic boulders on the banks of the Sand River. Dzhiawolala Pioneer Cottage sleeps 7 and is a restored old trading post, dating from the early nineteen thirties. Masianoke Log Cabin sleeps 4 and is nestled in the mountainside with a wooden deck overlooking the cliffs of the Sand River Gorge.
Rates R-RR (s/c) RRR (c)
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Tel: 015 516 0481 | Cel: 082 893 2958 | Fax: 088 015 516 0481 |
e-mail:|
medike@mweb.co.za
Website: www.wheretostay.co.za/medike
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 The dam is on the southern side of the R522 about 26 km from Makhado (Louis Trichardt). The water in the dam is seasonal as is the birdlife. The western end of the dam is not as good as the eastern end for birds unless you have a scope. Birds that have been seen here are, amongst many others, Comb Duck, African Black Duck, White-faced Duck, Little Grebe (Dabchick), Great Crested Grebe, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, White-fronted Plover, Kittlitz´s Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and on occasion Greater Flamingo. In the surrounding dry acacia veldt look out for White-bellied Sunbird, Marico Flycatcher, Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, Kalahari Scrub-robin, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Long-billed Crombec, Crimson-breasted Shrike, a variety of seed eaters and lots more. On the old fields below the dam wall you might find some interesting larks and cisticolas.
Take the Vivo road from Makhado (Louis Trichardt). The dam is visible from the road 24 km out of Makhado on the left hand side. When you see the dam stop next to the road just before the railing to get a view of the reed beds below. Be careful here as the road is quite narrow. Once you have established what condition the dam is in, drive on till you see a BP Garage and General Dealer on the right; almost opposite this turn left down a straight gravel track. When you get to the fork in the track park your car under the tree and walk onto the dam wall with your scope. Remember: if you open a gate, close it behind you again. No prior arrangements or entry fee is necessary.
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.jpg) The Wyllie´s Poort Tunnels, about 20 km north of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), are worth a stop. From the viewing/parking area between the two tunnels you can pick up Drakensberg Prinia and Mocking Cliff-chats in the rocky gorge below and Short-toed Rock Thrush hopping above the tunnels. A pair of Verreaux´s Eagles are usually seen soaring in the sky above. Remember you are on the N1 with heavy traffic so take care. |
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