Akela is 12 years old today! That’s a venerable 84 in human years although, in the wild — where w… Readmore…
It embraces the "fruit basket" of South Africa, one of its most productive regions, and the biggest concentration of game ranches in southern Africa. The Modjadji Cycad Reserve is the largest concentration of a single cycad species in the world. It has the second largest baobab tree in our country, the largest remnant of indigenous forest in our country, mountain grasslands and spectacular views.
Related content: King Makgoba, Route 71 in Travels with Akela,
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Stanford Lake in Magoesbaskloof, The Land of the Silver Mists
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Click here for businesses in and around Magoesbaskloof
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The Capricorn – Letaba birding route (Route 71) stretches from Polokwane in the west to the Great Letaba River beyond the Letsitele valley in the east. The route runs just a few degrees south of the Tropic of Capricorn, mainly along the R71 road which links the towns of Polokwane, Haenertsburg, Tzaneen and Gravelotte. An interesting geographical feature of this route is its varying altitude. Polokwane lies on a plateau at approximately 1300 m.a.s.l. The route then drops down into the lowveld where the altitude is approximately 480 m.a.s.l. at the Letaba River. These extreme variations in altitude result in a great range of vegetation types within a relatively small area. It is within these diverse habitats that over 599 bird species are to be found.
The open thornveld habitat of the Polokwane plateau supports a great variety of both Bushveld and Kalahari-type birds.
Typical species here include Crimson-breasted Shrike, African Wren-Warbler, Short-clawed Lark and Black-faced Waxbill. Just before reaching the foothills of the Drakensberg and Wolkberg Mountains. One passes through the outcrop-strewn Mamabolo Bushveld. These granite inselbergs hold many rock-dwelling species including the northern-most population of Southern Bald Ibis.
In the Northern Drakensberg and Wolkberg sections of the route, birders enjoy vast tracts of montane grassland, which is Blue Swallow territory and houses other sought after species such as Broad-tailed Warbler, Croaking Cisicola and Drakensberg Prinia. The afro-montane forests of Woodbush and Magoebaskloof offer amongst the best forest birding in the country with specials like Brown Scrub-Robin, Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Barratt’s Warbler, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, and Orange Ground Thrush. While the eastern lower slopes and valleys of Magoebaskloof provide reliable sites for the elusive Bat Hawk and Green Twinspot.
The Tzaneen area is well known for its sub-tropical fruit industry and the interesting mix of lowland habitats here support a wide range of species including Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, White-browed Robin-chat and Purple-crested Turaco.
The Lowveld region around Letsitele and along the Letaba River has habitats including Mopani Woodland where Arnot’s Chat is resident. There are many lowveld rivers with their associated riparian forest habitats where the likes of Greater Blue-eared Starling, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Retz’s Helmet-Shrike and Thick-billed Cuckoo can be found. This is also one of the prime raptor areas in the region.
Bird Clubs
Birdlife Polokwane: Tel: 015 263 6473 or 083 380 2322
Tzaneen Bird Club: Tel: 015 307 5855 or 082 661 0550
Top 10 birds for the CLBR
1. Short-clawed Lark
2. Cape Parrot
3. Black-fronted Bush-Shrike
4. Bat Hawk
5. Bushveld Pipit
6. Arnots Chat
7. Southern Bald Ibis
8. Yellow-streaked Greenbul
9. Burchell’s Sangrouse
10. Green Twinspot
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In the west, it starts at Polokwane, Limpopo's capital. You can fly direct to Polokwane on schedled flights and rent a car for your trip. (Try First Car Rental.) The route passes Zion City at Moria where millions of pilgrims gather every year, and rises into the mountains of Magoebaskloof. This is where the Drakensberg ends.
Tzaneen and Modjadjiskloof...
Phalaborwa and the Kruger National Park. You can also fly into Phalborwa airport but several towns nearby also have airports with scheduled flights so visitors can fly in directly and rent vehicles The area south of Phalaborwa is game reserve country, so why not explore further.
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