three new birding routes for Mpumalanga

The Steenkampsberg in the highlands of Mpumalanga is dominated by extensive wetland systems, rocky outcrops, escarpment forest and near-pristine grassland

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These habitats are home to diverse bird communities comprising many near-endemic and threatened species. However, this rich assemblage of birds is, in general, underappreciated by the public and underutilised by landowners as a source of revenue from avitourism. Birding is one of the fastest growing nature-based tourism activities worldwide and is experiencing similar growth in popularity in South Africa.

Ecotourism opportunities abound in the Steenkampsberg. Just to the north of Dullstroom, for example, is Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, which supports more than 150 bird species and is the only Ramsar site in Mpumalanga. Many local people, including landowners and historically disadvantaged groups, rely on tourism as their primary source of income. In 2012 the tourism and hospitality industry provided at least 1097 full-time and 208 part-time positions in Dullstroom and the surrounding area at a time when, according to the 2011 census, 558 people lived in the town and another 4664 lived in Sakhelwe.