This classic hotel is located in the Agatha area, near Tzaneen, with spectacular views over the Wolkberg Mountains. It is an ideal setting to explore the birding sites around Tzaneen and Letsitele. There is a Bat Hawk nest less than 2km from the hotel and during the non-breeding season the birds are sometimes seen roosting in the eucalyptus trees on the hotel property. The extensive gardens have a host of resident birds including Tambourine Dove, Southern Black Flycatcher, Amethyst Sunbird and Red-Capped Robin-Chat. Due to the location of the hotel between the Lowveld and the Wolkberg, surprising birds such as Retz’s Helmet-Shrike and Gurney’s Sugarbird are sometimes seen. There is a Crowned Eagle in the nearby Komatiland forests and these magnificent birds can be seen circling above the hotel. There is a swimming pool and spa on the hotel grounds for those wishing to take a break from the birding in the area.
| 015 306 8000 | info@coachhouse.co.za | www.coachhousehotel.co.za |
Fairview Hotel is situated on 26 hectares of farmland just east of Tzaneen. The 3km Letaba River frontage offers great opportunities to see Fish Eagle, Bat Hawk, Purple-crested Turaco, White-browed Robin-Chat, White-faced Whistling Duck, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, and Southern Black Flycatcher. The gardens blend with indigenous vegetation and provide diverse habitats for a range other bird species. There is also a Par 3 golf course, spa, swimming pool and mountain biking trail on the hotel grounds.
| 015 307 2679 | 082 900 5166 | reservations@fairviewtzaneen.co.za | www.fairviewtzaneen.co.za |
The award-winning Tzaneen Country Lodge is located on 170 hectares of farmland and mixed bushveld on the R71 between Tzaneen and Letsitele. This sub-tropical area has produced a good variety of interesting birds through the years with a bird list of around 200 species. Some of the specials seen here are Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah and their hosts, Golden-backed Pytilia. More common are Broad-billed Roller, Carmine and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Southern Black Flycatcher and Groundscraper Thrush. African Cuckoo Hawk and the three species of Indigobird also occur here. Several bird-feeding trays in the lodge gardens attract Cut-throat Finch, Golden-breasted Bunting and Jameson´s Firefinch. There are 4 dams on the farm with good habitats for Warblers, Kingfishers and Cisticolas. Several hiking trails wind through the property, these walks can also be done by day-visitors with prior arrangement. The lodge offers 67 rooms, 3 swimming pools and a spa wellness centre should there be a need for some pampering after a long day’s birding.
| 015 304 3290 | 082 395 9507 | reservations@tznlodge.co.za | www.tznlodge.co.za |
