KZN BIRDING HOTSPOTS

uMlalazi Nature Reserve and Mtunzini

The town of Mtunzini is surrounded by a number of key sites, which provide easy access to several of South Africa’s most sought-after bird species. These include the uMlalazi Nature Reserve, the Raphia Palm Monument and the Siyaya Coastal Forest Reserve. The town itself is a conservancy with lots of green spaces that shouldn’t be ignored with town birds such as Trumpeter Hornbillm White-eared Barbet, Black-bellied Starling, Red-backed Mannikin, and Grey, Olive and Collared Sunbirds.

Special Species

Palm-nut Vulture

Mangrove Kingfisher

Black-throated Wattle-eye

Green Malkoha

Narina Trogon

African Finfoot

Brown Scrub-Robin

Southern-banded Snake-eagle

Spotted Ground Thrush

Lemon dove

Brown-backed Honeybird

White-backed Night Heron

Green Twinspot

Black Coucal

Scalythroated Honeyguide

The uMlalazi Estuary which forms the core of the Umlalazi Nature Reserve is home to a healthy population of African Finfoot. White-backed Night Heron occurs too, and a good selection of more common waterbirds can be seen. A trail leads upstream through the extensive mangroves. Mudskippers and an abundance of mangrove crabs, some with their disproportionately big and colourful claws are great photographic subjects and this trail is good for Mangrove Kingfisher in winter.

To get there:

From Durban take the N2 Toll Road North. Mtunzini is approximately 132 km from Durban. At the Mtunzini Toll Plaza take the left-hand Toll Gate. Having exited the Toll Gate, glide off left onto the Mtunzini off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn right and another 700 meters further will bring you to the entrance to the town of Mtunzini.