-
FOR THE BIRD LOVERS
Birding
Birding in the Highlands Wilderness area
The Bela Bela area, nestled within the broader Waterberg plateau, is a premier birding destination featuring a rich tapestry of over 400 recorded species. The region's unique geography—a transitional zone between moister eastern regions and dry western bushveld - supports a diverse array of avian life. Visitors can expect to see iconic residents like the Lilac-breasted Roller, the Grey Go-away-bird, and various hornbill species. The area is particularly famous for its majestic raptors; the cliffs at Kransberg in nearby Marakele National Park host South Africa's largest breeding colony of the endangered Cape Vulture, while other predators like the Martial Eagle and Verreaux's Eagle are frequently spotted soaring above the rugged sandstone landscape.
Beyond the rocky heights, the low-lying savannas and seasonal wetlands offer equally spectacular birding opportunities. The nearby Nylsvley Nature Reserve, a RAMSAR-protected floodplain, serves as a critical breeding ground for over 100 species of waterbirds, including rare sightings of the African Finfoot, White-backed Night Heron, and the elusive Bittern. In the acacia thornveld surrounding Bela Bela, birders often encounter the striking Crimson-breasted Shrike, Southern Pied Babbler, and Magpie Shrike. Summer months (October to March) are especially vibrant as migratory species such as the European Bee-eater and Yellow-billed Kite arrive, joining local "specialities" like the Secretarybird and Blue Crane to create a world-class birdwatching experience.
At Highlands...
Highlands is a birding haven with more than 200 species already identified. This is largely due to the wide variety of biospheres, which also works favourably for butterfly spotting, for which we have 63 species listed.
Should you identify a bird at Highlands which is NOT on our list, please let us know in order to update our current bird list.
