Looking for an exciting new birding venue? Try Mpumalanga Parks Board's closest kept secret - Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve's Mthomeni Camp. I went down there for the first time in October 1997 and what a marvellous surprise. Accommodation is in an exclusive self-catering camp comprising four twinbedded tents each with bathroom and loo en suite. Fully equipped with fridge, deep freeze, crockery, cutlery, bedding, etc. Day and night game/birding drives in a four-wheel drive vehicle with Elvis, the very knowledgeable Camp Manager. The price for this exclusivity? A mere R 80 per person per day!!!!

There are no dangerous mammals so you can walk freely. African Goshawks, Yellowspotted Nicator and Bearded and Heuglin's Robins area common in the camp area. Gorgeous Bush Shrikes and Scalythroated Honeyguides were found nearby in some of finest riverine forest in the Lowveld. Whitebacked Night Herons have been recorded on the dam in front of the camp, although I did not see them on my visit.

Interested? Phone the Mpumalanga Parks Board Reservations Office on (013) 755-3733 for directions and to book the camp.

Below is a preliminary species list for the reserve although this is probably less than half of the species that will finally be recorded here.