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Umlalazi

Kwazulu-Natal  >  South Africa

The Umlalazi Nature Reserve is situated just next to the little town of Mtunzini. It is one of the best spots to find the Palm-nut Vulture.

Added* by Paul Poletajew
Most recent update 14 március 2023

Description

Umlalazi Nature Reserve is located on the part of the coast with the highest abundance of Palm-nut Vulture. Also the coastal forest in the dunes of the reserve as well as the mangroves offer a very good opportunity to find forest-species and the rare Mangrove Kingfisher. The Mlalazi rivermouth is difficult to reach, but is a good spot for coastal waders, terns and gulls.

Details

Access

The Umlalazi Nature Reserve is accessible via one road from Mtunzini. Visitors enter through a gate that is open from 5:00 to 22:00 throughout the year. Best birding starts at the end of the tarred road at the Boat River Cruise site. There you can park your car and enter the hiking trail which will lead you eastwards in the duneforest and ultimately after a 3 hrs hike to the Mlalazi rivermouth. There you can find a huge variety of forest species in the canopies and on the ground.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , River , Sea , Beach , Dunes , Reedbeds , Mud flats , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Hilly , Sandy

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Winter

Best time to visit

Spring , Summer

Route

Paved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Strenuous

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

The Raphia Palm Monument, which is accessible via the trail leading westwards just before you pass the gates, is a known roosting site of Palm-nut Vulture for years. During winter, the boardwalk that starts at the Boat River Cruise parking and leads through the mangroves, is a very good spot for Mangrove Kingfisher, African Rail, etc.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

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