Game and bird viewing in the Nuwejaars Wetlands area:

We arrange trips to view the wildlife and the birds found in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area. While you’ll see some of our region’s wonderful game, you’ll also spot some of the very special bird species that occur here (like the threatened Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, Southern Black Korhaan as well as many unusual species that pop in here, such as Goliath Heron, Black Stork and Great Egret), and of course the rich and threatened vegetation they live in.

Looking for something a little simpler?

A drive through the Nuwejaars Wetlands area will showcase some of the fantastic bird life found here. We’re part of a Birdlife South Africa Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. And they’ve highlighted the critical habitats that occur here, and the importance of protecting these.

We work closely with Birdlife, the Agulhas Plains Birding Project and other partners to protect and monitor our bird life.

Regionally threatened species here include:

Z African Marsh Harrier

Z Lanner Falcon

Z African Grass Owl

Z Greater Flamingo

Z Southern Black Korhaan

Z Agulhas Long-billed Lark

Z Striped Flufftail

Z Greater Painted-snipe

Some interesting and unusual sightings include:

Z Montagu’s Harrier

Z African Goshawk

Z Amur Falcon

Z Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk

Z Wattled Starling

Z Tambourine Dove

Z Lemon Dove

Z African Black Swift

Z Amethyst Sunbird

Z Blue-cheeked Bee-Eater

Z European Roller

Z European Honey Buzzard

Z Kori Bustard

Z White-Rumped Sandpiper

Z Gull Billed Tern

Z Swee Waxbill

In fact, the Agulhas Plains Birding Project has identified 235 species here – with this list growing all the time.

You can visit any of our NWSMA members who are open to the public (restaurants, coffee shops and accommodation), and you’ll undoubtedly see a variety of bird life.

Or take a drive through our area. Some proposed routes include:

• The R43 from Bredasdorp to Elim
• The R319 from Bredasdorp to Struisbaai
• Gravel road connecting the R43 to the R319 (past Voëlvlei and Zoetendalsvlei)

(Remember – our members live on private property, and you would need to obtain permission to enter private property).