The Place Of Wonder

Birding in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia

- Leon Marais

What makes for a good birding destination? Well, desirable birds are obviously a prime ingredient and that’s achievable throughout most of South Africa. But, as a tour guide, when I set up birding safaris for international birders, there’s a lot more to take into account. Birding venues suitable for international birders have many more boxes to be ticked than those that might meet the requirements of more ‘casual’ local birders, who may well be happy with a roof-top tent in a camp site. When a group touches down on African soil to kick off a trip (and hopefully that will start happening again soon), you need to know that you’ve got all the dietary intricacies covered, decent, budget-appropriate accommodation lined up, plenty of activities suitable for different levels of physical ability to keep them occupied, and a range of birds on hand that will satisfy all birders, from the beginner to the keen lister. For me, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia in northeastern KwaZulu-Natal meet all those needs.