South Africa is mainly known for the magnificent landscapes, chequered history, extreme sports and big game safari tours which many thousands of visitors come to experience every year. But there is a lesser-known pleasure that can be had in South Africa which will come as a welcome opportunity to all those bird lovers out there. Although, of course, renowned for the Big Five and other wild animals which are in proliferation, South Africa is also home to an abundant bird-life, with many of the species being endemic or endangered. It is not hard to fit in some bird-watching forays with your regular sightseeing tours, and many of the best areas are in fact some of the country's high profile tourist destinations.
Kwazulu Natal
Kwazulu Natal is well-known for bird-watching tours and is one of the most popular regions in South Africa for the pastime due to the concentration and variety of species. The lush forests, many fresh water lagoons, boggy marsh areas and vast flooded grasslands provide a perfect habitat for the massive numbers of birds that make the area their home. The Zululand Birding Route is exceptionally well-facilitated for bird-watching ventures, with a boardwalk which takes allows you to walk amongst the forest canopy and observe the teeming birdlife from above. Some species you may be lucky enough to see are the Crowned Eagle and the Spotted Ground Thrush, amongst many, many more.
MISSIONS TRIPS AFRICA
The Western Cape
Another wonderful area to indulge a penchant for bird-watching, the Western Cape not only has arguably the most stunning scenery, it is also the best place to spot some rather larger members of the animal kingdom - whales and Great White sharks. The region definitely belongs to the birds, however, and in particular, the waders. There are a huge number of endemic waders found in this area of South Africa who migrate from their Arctic breeding grounds during summer. The Langebaan Lagoon is one of the most popular places to come to observe the waders along with a vast number of other, smaller species.
Boulders Beach
To visit the home of some more high-profile South African avian residents, take a side trip to Boulders Beach to meet the delightful community of penguins who have made the beach their home. These happy little fellows are quite used to the presence of humans and it is not unusual to be sun-baking lazily on your towel only to have a penguin wander past, and peer inquisitively into your beach bag. The penguins are very friendly and don't mind sharing either the beach or the sea with their human counterparts. But be warned, they are extremely fast and, if you're not used to it, it can be quite disconcerting as they zip past at the rate of knots! These penguins are named Jackass African Penguins, after their highly distinctive and original guffaw which sounds like a donkey. Unfortunately, although the numbers at Boulders Beach belie the fact, they are critically endangered, being found in only 27 sites around South Africa.
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