Ezemvelo Nature Reserve – A Bird Watcher’s Delight

Approximately twenty kilometers from Bronkhorstspruit, or a forty-five minute drive from Pretoria, waits one of the most breathtaking reserves in South Africa, and one of the few preserved grasslands in the country. Ezemvelo Nature Reserve covers an estimated ten thousand hectares that consists not only of rolling grasslands but savanna, valleys, wetlands, and rivers that are home to a vast amount of animals and is pure heaven for avid birdwatchers. Ezemvelo Nature Reserve has it all, from picturesque beauty to exciting wildlife.

The savanna region of the park encompasses approximately six thousand hectares and a variety of tree species covers this area. The remainder of the park consists of magnificent gorges, rivers protected by bushy vegetation and many of the natural wonders that can only be found in South Africa. While on a game drive, hiking trail, guided tour of the rock art cave or simply relaxing in warmth of the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, visitors will be able to enjoy the variety of wildlife that call the reserve their home.

The wildlife in the reserve takes on all shapes and sizes, and guests can look forward to spotting animals such as the African Wild Cat, Aardvark, Giraffe, Eland, Springbok, White Rhino, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Kudu, Blesbok, Porcupine, Serval, Cape Clawless Otter, Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Vervet Monkeys and many more. But one of the main attractions in the park is the great variety of bird species that are found here. Thousands of birdwatchers flock to the park each year, either on their own or with a bird watching tour group, to try and see some of the eight hundred (more than two hundred species) different birds that have been sighted and recorded. Some species are migratory and others are permanent residents, and together they ensure unlimited bird watching action, including the African Palm Swift, Greater Honeyguide, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, African Grey Hornbill, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Bunting, White-Bellied Korhaan, Blue Korhaan Lesser Striped Swallow, Fork-Tailed Drongo, Banded Martin, Red billed Firefinch, Cattle Egret, Plainbacked Pipits, Jackal Buzzard, Redbreasted Swallow, Striped Buffy, White Backed Duck and Great Crested Grebe.

When visitors are not out looking for the perfect sighting or photographic opportunity, they can enjoy the peacefulness of the huts, camp sites, houses or caravan park for accommodation. The volleyball court, swimming pool, mini golf and shop also provide visitors with entertainment between game drives and hiking. From magnificent wildlife attractions to relaxing facilities, the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve will leave visitors with lasting memories of a wonderful outdoor adventure.