This large game reserve is close to Gauteng and has a wide variety of bushveld, woodland and water birds. Besides the big game (Hippo, Rhino & Buffalo) over 300 bird species have been recorded. Storks, Herons, Eagles, Kingfishers, Shrikes and Cuckoos (summer) are well represented. The reserve features the large Klipvoor Dam, the Morelete River below and the scenic Mogoshane hills which form broken terrain, small kloofs and habitat for several rock loving species. Woodland habitats include acacia thornveld, riverine woodland and broadleaved savannah, including an area of fine tall Burkea Woodland.

As a "big game" reserve, walking is restricted to designated areas. Nevertherless, there are a number of areas where you can bird on foot, and the two hides can be excellent. Best areas are the Tholo Loop, picnic and camping areas and the Audi Loop which follows the dam shoreline. In summer you can expect to record over 100 species in a day.

BIRDS

Specials not easily seen elswhere this close to Gauteng include Purple Roller, Grey-Hooded Kingfisher, Redbilled BuffaloWeaver, African Finfoot, Marabou Stork, Fantailed Flycatcher, Meyer's Parrot, Redcrested Korhaan and Redbilled Oxpecker. Short-toed Rock Thrush is regular in winter and Black Stork, Dwarf Bittern and Whitebacked Night Heron are all possible. Raptors are well represented and Martial, Brown Snake, Wahlberg's (summer) and African Hawk Eagle are all present, as are Gymnogene and Pale Chanting Goshawk. .

BIRDING

THOLO LOOP (description starts from Moretela Camp, going westwards and then returns along southern leg of loop)

Early on, the drive passes between the base of low hills and the river. Listen here for the screech of Meyers Parrot where there are broadleafed trees on the hillsides. On the way into Ga Dinonyane hide look for Whitebrowed Sparrow Weaver, Burchell's Glossy Starling, Blue Waxbill and Redbilled Firefinch. In summer a range of waders visit the area and Black Stork, Painted Snipe and Dwarf Bittern are possible from the hides. In the evening Double-banded Sandgrouse arrive in numbers.

The road then crosses the watercourse below the dam - passing through some dry acacia thornveld. This is a good area for Crimsonbreasted Shrike, Pied Babbler, Pied Barbet, Titbabbler and Burnt'necked Eremomela.

At the extreme western end of the drive, the road enters a fine stand of tall woodland. Look here for Purple Roller, Bennet's Woodpecker, Woodland Kingfisher (summer) and Redbilled Buffalo Weaver. Stop at the Picnic spot here and look out for Greyhooded Kingfisher (summer). Yellowthroated Sparrow, Southern Black Tit, White Helmet Shrike and Black Flycatcher are also common in this area. After leaving the Picnic Spot the road passes a more open area on the left where Lilac-breasted Roller, Burchell's Glossy Starling and Rufousnaped Lark are present.

SOUTHERN DRIVES AND SEFUDI DAM

The southernmost Audi Drive follows the edge of the dam and is a good place to see a range of waterbirds. Look for a range of herons, cormorants and where the reeds break up - waders can be seen. The lakeside road passes through patches of thicker bush where Cape Penduline Tit, Titbabbler and Burntnecked Eremomela can be found. The road should be followed to the Mutumuga Loop which reaches the uppermost reaches of the dam. This higher area is usually good for waterbirds including Yellowbilled Stork and Goliath Heron. Sefudi dam and hide in the far south-eastern corner lies amidst mixed acacia savannah, When dry, the hide is good for Blue, Violet-eared and Black-cheeked Waxbill as well as Paradise and Shafttailed Whydah. This part of the park is good for Vultures, Redcrested Korhaan and Pale Chanting Goshawk.

PHUDUPHUDU CAMP lies in an area of good broadleaved woodland where Pallid Flycatcher, Bennets Woodpecker and in open areas, Coqui Francolin and Bushveld Pipit can be found. Other woodland species common in the area include Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet, Redbilled Hornbill and Black Cuckoo Shrike.

PITJANE CAMPSITE is used by fishermen, but is a good spot to stop and walk around. On the way stop at the bridge over the Moreleta - a possible spot for Finfoot, Greenbacked Heron and Blackcrowned Night Heron. Between the bridge over the river and the campsite look for Doublebanded Sandgrouse, Marico Flycatcher and in winter: Short-toed Rock Thrush. The campsite lies in a belt of Acacia Woodland and is a good spot for Melba Finch, Kalahari and White-browed scrub robin, Barred Warbler. Titbabbler and Great Sparrow. In summer Icterine Warbler call from the bigger acacias and out on the Dam you should see Great Crested Grebe, Whitewinged Tern and Whitebreasted Cormorant.

THE RIVER WALK starting at MORELETA CAMP passes through tall acacia woodland. Moreleta Camp itself is amidst acacia and acacia thickets and patches of bare ground near the camp are a good place for Blackcheeked Waxbill and Redbilled Firefinch. On the way down to the start of the walk, listen for Fantailed Flycatcher and Lesser Honeyguide. Look for Redheaded Weaver , Meyer's Parrot, Striped and African Cuckoo (summer) and Little Sparrowhawk. The thickets along the rivers edge are home to White-throated Robin, Greybacked Bleating Warbler and Brownhooded Kingfisher. On the river there is a good chance of seeing Giant Kingfisher, African Finfoot and African Black Duck

PICNIC AREA AND HILLSIDES

The main picnic area near the Dam Wall is a good spot for a waxbills, pipits and woodpeckers. In and around the picinic site and adjacent hills look for Short-toed Rock Thrush (winter), Familar Chat and Groundscaper Thrush.

UPDATE

With good rains over the last two summers, the Dam is now full (November). This has reduced waders and some other water-birds such as ducks and Storks.

INFORMATION

Borakolalo is about 120 km from Pretoria and Johannesburg via Brits. Entering Brits from the east, take the turnoff in the middle of town which is signposted to Borakalalo National Park. After 17km turn right towards Jericho and Dikhololo. A 24 km stretch of dirt brings one to Jericho. After meeting the tar again carry on straight for a few hundred yards, turning left to Legonyane. After a further 7 km turn left again - here signposted to the park. The park is a further 7 km on.

Accomodation is available in two furnished tented safari camps, and booking should be made in advance, particularly on weekends. You can also camp at Pitjane - popular among fishermen, or alongside the Moretele River. An entrance fee is payable. A park checklist and MAP showing all the places mentioned above is available at the gate. For BOOKINGS and information telephone 01461 21102

For Checklist for Borakolalo click here

Triplists - November 1997