Bird Watching In The Vaal Triangle
You’ve packed your bird guide, binoculars and appropriate apparel, now to locate bird hot spots.
The Vaal Triangle area beteen Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark and Sasolburg hosts numerous of bird species, from raptors to herons, cranes and duck, and a multitude of species can be seen in both natural and modified habitats – from estuaries and nature reserves to sanctuaries and bird parks.
Three of the most mentioned bird spots in the Vaal Triangle are the Vaal River and Dam Nature Reserve, just a stone’s throw away from both Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark, the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and the nearby Marievale Bird Sanctuary in Southern Gauteng.
Over 200 bird species can be seen on the Vaal River alone, including African Fish Eagle and the Pied Avocet.
Stonehaven- A luxurious bird experience can be had on the pleasurable B & B (Birding and Breakfast) cruise with Stonehaven, where a local Vaal bird expert will host a bird cruise up the Vaal river.
For a more child friendly bird route option there is the Emerald Safari Resort; Animal World, which boasts 52 bird species.
Suikerbosrand- The most seen specie in the diverse Suikerbosrand nature reserve are; Sentinel Rock Trush (winter), Black Harrier (winter), Ground Woodpecker, Black Eagle, Grey-winged and Red-winged Francolins, Striped pipit, Lark and Cisticola.
The admission fee for Suikerbosrand is adults R20, children and pensioners R10. Opening times are Monday to Friday 07h15 to 16h00, weekends and public holidays 07h00 to 17h00.
Marievale- The most seen species are seen in Marievale, bird sanctuary; Slaty Egret, Grass Owl, Bailons Crake and Black Heron and Greater Painted Snipe. Marievale is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, it’s opening times are 05h30 to 19h30 from October to March and 06h30 to 18h00 from April to September.
Bird watching on foot.
Flock with the birdwatchers in the Vaal triangle. Our high altitude, wet lands and highveld grass lands are adorned with the beautiful wing spans of our vibrant bird species.
The Vaal triangle is an aviary of bird life waiting to be discovered by the avid bird enthusiast.
One can view the bird life on foot, by taking the three river 12.5km hike along Klip, Vaal and Suikerbosrand rivers, or visiting the exotic Waterfowl Park and Riviera Wetlands and Bird Sanctuary in Vereeniging.
The Waterfowl park boasts 60 Waterfowl species. A Visit to the Treehaven Waterfowl trust is a must with all 16 species of South African ducks, 116 species of exotic ducks, geese and swan, over 65 species of wild water birds that visit Treehaven regularly, 4 species of Flamingo, all three South African crane species, which form part of a captive breeding programme , to release the cranes back into the wild.
If you need some trusted, expert assistance, take a guided tour provided by Bird-Watch. Take their Gauteng, Mountains and Wetlands Route, which covers the Vaal Triangle Spots.
Bird Watching Spots & Clubs
Vaal Bird Club / Vaal Voëlklub
Club Secretary: Rina De Klerk
The Emerald Safari Resort – Animal World
http://www.emeraldcasino.co.za/index.php/entertainment-casino/animal-world
+27 (0)11 782 0517
Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark.
Treehaven
+27 (0)82 900-0656
treehaven.co.za/
Vaal River bird watching Cruise
Spirit of Jen
+27 (0)16 982 2951
www.stonehaven.co.za/
Bird watching Tour Guide
Birdwatch
www.birdwatch.co.za/birdingtoursjohannesburgpretoria.htm#contact
info@birdwatch.co.za
+27 (0)72 211 9863
+27 (0)21 592 7438
P.O Box 215, Newlands, 7725
Touch Africa Safaris
+27 (0)11 704 3502
+27 (0)11 704 3502
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