Dinonyane is situated 1km from the entrance gate to Nylsvley Nature Reserve. The lodge is situated in thornveld and the well-watered gardens with secluded ponds attract a host of bushveld bird, particularly in the dry periods. It is not unusual to see over 30 bird species in the gardens in a morning, including Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Violet-backed Starling and Pearl-spotted Owlet. The lodge can accommodate up to 40 guests in a range of accommodation options with some self-catering units; other facilities include a restaurant, bar, lapa, swimming pool and tennis court. Dinonyane offers excursions into Nylsvley Nature Reserve and catering for special events.
| 082 896 3159 | 083 751 1996 | info@dinonyane.co.za | www.dinonyane.co.za |
This large dam is in the foothills of the Waterberg between Mookgophong and Mokopane. There is a variety of habitats in the reserve with wooded hills, savanna bushveld, open plains, broadleaved woodland, the open water of the dam itself and its well-vegetated banks. Martial Eagle, African Hawk Eagle and African Fish Eagle all breed in the reserve. This is one of the few places in the country where Garganey has been recorded and Osprey is regularly seen in summer. Coqui and Shelley’s Francolin are also often seen and heard; Freckled Nightjar and Mocking Chat are found in the hills. More than twelve species of shrike occur there as well as Yellow-throated Petronia and Orange-breasted Waxbill. The reserve is home to various game species and walking is allowed; there is also a campsite.
Directions: Travel on the Sterk Rivier road off the R101 between Mookgophong and Mokopane; after 17km turn left onto a dirt road and travel a further 5km to the reserve.
| 015 293 3611 | info@golimpopo.com | www.golimpopo.com |
This RAMSAR site is the largest and most intact seasonal floodplain in the country. The area has over 365 bird species recorded, with 104 of these being water birds. The floodplain is inundated every few years and when it floods, several rare and endangered waterbirds breed there. All three of the Bittern species occur and breed there and all of the southern African Herons have been recorded there, including the country’s largest recorded breeding concentrations of Great Egret, Black Heron, Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron. Striped Crake, Lesser Moorhen and Allen’s Gallinule breed there; Streaky-breasted Flufftail have been recorded there. Pygmy Goose, White-backed and Knob-billed Duck are some of the 15 Duck and Goose species that occur at Nylsvley in the wet years. The wetland is surrounded by typical bushveld savanna, in the dry years the area is still a prime birding destination for bushveld birding. Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler and Tinkling Cisticola can be seen. There is a large concentration of Pearl-spotted Owlet along with 7 other Owl species. There is accommodation and a campsite in the reserve, as well as a variety of birder friendly accommodation around the reserve and in Modimolle and Mookgophong, less than a thirty minute drive away.
Directions: Travel on the R101 between Modimolle and Mookgophong, then turn towards Boekenhout. Continue 8km on this road, the reserve gate is on the left just after the railway line.
| 015 293 3611 | info@golimpopo.com | www.golimpopo.com |
