Need a break from the emails and tweets?\u00a0 Gadgets n gizmos?\u00a0 Buzzers n beeps?<\/p>\n
For a real \u201ctweet\u201d \u201cau natural\u201d why not escape to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa for some tweets and twitters of an altogether different kind!<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need to be a birder, twitcher or ornithologist to appreciate the amazing birdlife you will see in KwaZulu-Natal.\u00a0 You don\u2019t even need to know a single bird name to be converted into someone with an appreciation and basic knowledge of birds.\u00a0 Just leave that to us!<\/p>\n
A little bird told me \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n There are a number of amazing properties in KwaZulu-Natal from where you can enjoy spectacular scenery, fantastic weather, amazing wildlife and fantastic birds!\u00a0 Be you feather-novice or dedicated twitcher!<\/p>\n For a bird\u2019s eye view: Cathedral Peak Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n Head for the World Heritage Site that is the famous Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains.\u00a0 Base yourself at the popular leisure resort, the Cathedral Peak Hotel for some of the most expansive mountain views anywhere \u2013 and a wide array of self guided and guided walking and hiking trails \u2013 ideal for spotting birds.\u00a0 An opportunity to spot the rare Bearded Vulture (Lammergeyer), Cape Vulture, Black Eagle, Jackal Buzzard or Lanner Falcon.\u00a0 www.cathedralpeak.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n Feather your nest: Fordoun<\/strong><\/p>\n Fordoun is a fantastic retreat, just a couple of hours from Durban on the popular Midlands Meander.\u00a0 Besides being an award winning spa and health hydro, it is also fantastic for those who enjoy the great outdoors including amazing birdlife.\u00a0 A few years ago, Fordoun donated 150 hectares of its natural veld and wetland to the KwaZulu-Natal Crane Foundation to create a reserve for breeding both the Wattled Crane and Oribi Antelope \u2013 two highly endangered species. Fordoun and its guests now support the reserve and help cover the costs of rearing the chicks to adulthood so they can be released into the wild.\u00a0 Guests are encouraged to visit the project. www.fordoun.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n Out on a lark: Ghost Mountain Inn<\/strong><\/p>\n Zululand and in particular the area around Mkuze, has one of the largest bird lists you will find anywhere in South Africa due to its wide variety of habitats including pans, swamps, acacia thornveld, sand forest, riverine forest and open woodland. There are even mountainous areas with cliffs as well as open grassland in places.\u00a0 With more than 420 bird species on record, the area is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers.\u00a0\u00a0 Ghost Mountain Inn is the place to base yourself to visit birding hotspots including Mkhuze, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and the acclaimed Ndumo Game Reserves. Some of the specials one might tick off are Mangrove Kingfisher, African Broadbill, Pink Throated Twin Spot, Blue Billed Fire Finch and Narina trogon on 4 hour, half day or full day guided birding trips.\u00a0 Fantastic water and wetland birds can be spotted on boat cruises on Lake Jozini as well as in the inn\u2019s expansive gardens or from the jetty that expands over the lake.\u00a0 www.ghostmountaininn.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n Something to crow about: Amakhosi Safari Lodge<\/strong><\/p>\n This 5 star lodge in remote Zululand is home to the big 5 as well as over 420 bird species including 3 breeding pairs of a very powerful eagle, the Stephanoaetus coronatus.\u00a0 Phillip Khumalo, Amakhosi\u2019s Head Ranger, is a Specialist Birding Guide \u2013 considered by many ornithologists and respected trainers as one of KwaZulu-Natal\u2019s top birding guides.\u00a0 A \u201cmust do before you die\u201d for birders!\u00a0\u00a0 www.amakhosi.com<\/a><\/p>\n Although safari game drives will allow you to spot in many cases the large game and predators \u2013 visitors to KwaZulu-Natal quickly learn that it is not all about the Big 5 tick list!\u00a0 It\u2019s the fresh air, the wide open spaces, the jaw-dropping sunsets, the amazing trees and habitats, the Milky Way at night \u2013 and the beautiful birdsong that greets you in the mornings.<\/p>\n Rangers are trained to fill the periods between traditional \u201cbig game sightings\u201d to impart wisdom and anecdotes about the trees and shrubs, the insects, the birds and even local folklore.\u00a0 By your third game drive you will be almost as excited about spotting and recognising an unusual endemic bird as you will that elephant on the horizon! Plus you can impress your colleagues when you get back with your newly discovered birding slang and growing tick list!<\/p>\n Another stop you might want to include on your \u201cflight path\u201d is \u00a0Isandlwana Lodge<\/strong> on the Battlefields.\u00a0 \u00a0Don\u2019t miss the double-story Hammerkop nest on Nyoni Rock which can be spotted from the lodge \u2013 or Issie the Mockingchat that likes to frequent the dining room and welcome guests.\u00a0 There are also over 300 species in the area including the Southern bald ibis and birding tours can be arranged.\u00a0 www.isandlwana.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n Another fantastic experience on offer is bird-watching on horseback at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve <\/strong>in Zululand!\u00a0 More than 200 species have been recorded in the Pakamisa Game Reserve with many more occasional visitors and seasonal migrants. From soaring eagles overhead to the vivid sunbirds flitting through the shrubs, the area offers birdwatchers constant excitement. www.pakamisa.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n Once you gain your basic birding \u201cwings\u201d, even a novice will know how to identify a few birds, spot LBJs (little brown jobs!), BOPs (Birds of prey) \u2013 or might even, (hold your breath) \u2013 spot a lifer \u2026a rare bird a real fanatic wouldn\u2019t have dare dreamed of spotting!\u00a0 The rangers will often show you when to listen, how to call a bird and get a response.\u00a0 It is a fascinating world waiting to be discovered!<\/p>\n So pack your bino\u2019s and head for KwaZulu-Natal for the tweet<\/em> of a lifetime!<\/p>\n For more info email info@ethosmarketing.co.uk<\/a>, visit www.ethosmarketing.co.uk<\/a> or call (01403)243619.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You don\u2019t need to be a birder, twitcher or ornithologist to appreciate the amazing birdlife you will see in KwaZulu-Natal. You don\u2019t even need to know a single bird name to be converted into someone with an appreciation and basic knowledge of birds.<\/p>\n