Mammals from a birding paradise. Part III

If one is not a birder, then Mkhuze Game Reserve can still be a paradise but for the variety of mammals and reptiles. As it has the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) in the reserve, getting out of the car is not an option unless at the designated picnic spots, water holes or bird hides - even then it is good to be wary.

It is also amazing how many to see how fast most people drive in the park, barely within the speed limit. I am sure they miss most wildlife as they cannot see much when driving "fast".  Anyway, here are some of the animals I saw in amongst the birding.

Kudu ram

 Young impala ram

 Hippo hippoing ......

 Vervet monkey

 Impala ram

 White rhino

 Waterhog

 Nyala doe

 Zebra

Young Nyala ram

 Wildebeest

 Impala ram and young Nyala ram

 Zebra

 Red-billed oxpecker on a zebra

I think that should be enough to give you a feel for Mkhuze Game Reserve.

A little more of the birds in a birding paradise. Part II

It is easier to show a photo essay than talk about what I saw .........

Pink-backed pelican

African jacana

 Malachite kingfisher

 Water stone-curlew

 Open-billed stork

 Chinspot batis

 Emerald-spotted dove

 Red-billed oxpecker

 Purple-crested turaco

 Golden-breasted bunting

 White-crested helmet-shrike

 Brown-hooded kingfisher

I saw over 90 species in just over 24 hours! I always threaten to go back for longer - oh well, next time!!

A little bit of birding paradise! Part I

I very seldom get there, but when I do I enjoy it immensely! The reserve is a little off the beaten track and the final 12 kilometres of road can be a little rough at times. However, Mkhuze Game Reserve is a place of great beauty and is well known to birders as there are more than 420 bird species in the reserve. The reserve has a good diversity of natural habitats that include mountains along its eastern boundary, acacia savannah, swamps, a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. In addition to the birds, there are a wide range of animals (including the big five). Just a beautiful place to feed to soul and re-energize.

 

 
When it has rained (this region is often desperately dry) the pans are full of birdlife and hippos. A beautiful place, even without the wildlife.

 
Although I only spent a day in the reserve, here are some of the birds I saw:

 
Well that is just a sample and you will just have to wait for the next instalment ..........

Enseleni Nature Reserve: a wonderful place for a stroll.

In July this year I went back to South Africa for a couple of weeks to catch-up with family primarily but also managed to see a few friends. There is never enough time to do everything!! While there I managed a few short days in various parks and reserves. I realised today that I have no idea why I have not shared some of the resulting images with you .........

A lovely small reserve I visited was the Enseleni Nature Reserve and it is only 293 hectares in size. This reserve is about 10 km north of Empangeni on the N2 - there is a nominal entrance fee and it is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. There are two walking trails of 5 and 7 kilometres each that cover a number of different habitats and safe as there are no cats, elephant or rhino. However, there are crocodiles in the Nseleni River, so beware!!

I arrived soon after the gates opened and spent most of the morning there. It was great to get close to a few zebra ...... such beautiful animals.

However, the real attraction for me was the birds - some unusual birds can be found here e.g. Pels Fishing Owl and African Finfoot. I dipped on the owl but did get a reasonable view of the finfoot (and a very poor picture or two). Some of the photography was within the forest and was challenging. However, here are a few of the images I did manage - birds and otherwise.

If you are ever in the area and have some time, think about stopping here - there are some great picnic spots as well.