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Oribi Gorge

Kwazulu-Natal  >  South Africa

The Nature Reserve lies at the head of Umzimkulwana river gorge and is lined with dense coastal bush and forests.

Added* by Paul Poletajew
Most recent update 28 januar 2023

Description

The main road descending to the river bridge and climbing again on the opposite site is a fabulous opportunity to see birds in the canopy and all other strata of the forest. As it is open 24hrs it is also a perfect possibility to see owls in the overhanging trees. The broader area of the Oribi Gorge consists also of farmland (sugar cane and macadamia), rocky cliffs and small ponds, so there is a great variety of species to observe. The trails in the nature reserve are beautiful to hike through and offer easy and very close sightings of the local avifauna.

Details

Access

The Oribi Gorge is a 30 min drive from Port Shepstone and a 2hrs drive from Durban. It is easily accessible via the N2 and the main road through the gorge splits at the Paddock intersection to the north and is well indicated. There is a small conservation centre left to the reserve gates, that also manages some acommodations and is run by KZN Ezemvelo. You can park your car either there or drive the meandering main road until the guarded parking and picnicing facility at the riverside. Multiple hiking trails lead from both sites through the reserve and mostly are only accessible by feet.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Mountain , Canyon/cliff , Lake , Agriculture , Grassland , Valley , River , Reedbeds

Conditions

Mountainous , Rocky

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring , Summer

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Photo Knysna Turaco by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo African Wood-Owl by Lip Kee Yap, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo Narina Trogon by Patty McGann, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Map

Top 5 birds

Knysna Turaco
1. Knysna Turaco
(Tauraco corythaix)
Cape Vulture
2. Cape Vulture
(Gyps coprotheres)
Cardinal Woodpecker
3. Cardinal Woodpecker
(Chloropicus fuscescens)
Knysna Woodpecker
4. Knysna Woodpecker
(Campethera notata)
African Wood-Owl
5. African Wood-Owl
(Strix woodfordii)

Other birds you can see here

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