With more than 300 species recorded in a small area, Ithala Game Reserve is a great birding destination. The mountain grassland and sandstone cliffs host a good number of South Africa specials. This includes the , which can be found in cliff-nesting breeding colonies of up to 100 birds. The impressive is often seen soaring over the cliffs. are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = most of the global population is resident in South Africa- African hawk-eagle
- Black-bellied starling
- Blue crane (NE)
- Brown-headed parrot
- Buff-streaked chat (NE)
- Cape longclaw
- Cape vulture
- Denham’s bustard
- Eastern nicator
- Freckled nightjar
- Goliath heron
- Gorgeous bush-shrike
- Greater double-collared sunbird (NE)
- Ground woodpecker (NE)
- Half-collared kingfisher
- Hoopoe
- Kurrichane thrush
- Mocking cliff chat
- Mountain wheatear
- Shelley’s francolin
- Southern bald ibis (NE)
- Swee waxbill (NE)
- Verreaux’s eagle
- White-backed night heron
- White-bellied bustard
- White-bellied sunbird
- White-throated robin-chat
- Yellow-throated woodland warbler
Best Time for Bird Watching
November to April is the best time for bird watching in Ithala, since this is the migratory season for species from the northern hemisphere. Breeding colonies of are present from July to October. The best time for general wildlife viewing is during the dry winter months, from May to September.