With more than 300 species recorded in a small area, Ithala is a great birding destination. The mountain grassland and sandstone cliffs are habitats which offer a good number of South Africa specials. This includes the southern bald ibis, which can be found nesting in breeding colonies of up to 100 birds on the mountainsides. The Verreaux’s eagle, South Africa’s largest and most impressive eagle, can often been seen soaring over the cliffs. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = lives in South Africa and neighboring countries- African hawk-eagle
- Black-bellied starling
- Blue crane
- Brown-headed parrot
- Buff-streaked chat
- Cape longclaw
- Cape vulture
- Denham’s bustard
- Eastern nicator
- Freckled nightjar
- Gorgeous bush-shrike
- Goliath heron
- Greater double-collared sunbird
- Ground woodpecker (NE)
- Half-collared kingfisher
- Hoopoe
- Kurrichane thrush
- Mocking cliff chat
- Mountain wheatear
- Shelley’s francolin
- Southern bald ibis
- 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 southern bald ibis are present from July to October. The best time for general wildlife viewing is during the dry months of June to September.