Around the world bird watching is the most popular outdoor activity after gardening but in the Drakensberg and Lesotho it is THE most popular outdoor activity for visitors.  This region holds a number of unique species that birders come from all over South Africa and overseas to see and includes majestic raptors, vultures, cranes and bustards.  The most sought-after species in the Drakensberg Mountains and Lesotho are Drakensberg Siskin, Drakensberg (Orange-breasted) Rockjumper, Mountain Pipit and Bearded Vulture.  In the mist-belt forests and mist-belt grasslands of Donnybrook and Creighton the most charismatic species are Cape Parrot, Orange Ground Thrush and Blue Swallow.  In the upland grasslands look for Wattled, Blue and Grey-crowned Cranes, Denham's Bustard and Secretarybird.  The region is well supplied with roads and you can explore it on your own or use a registered bird tour guide.

Penwarn Country Lodge Over 280 species.  Waterfowl, montane grassland species, raptors.  Vulture restaurant and bird hide overlooking vast wetlands.  2 Exclusive Lodges.  Tel:  +27 (0) 33 7011 777 Or:  +27 (0) 33 7011 342.

Pied Piper Expeditions takes bird watchers to see the rare, endemic and special bird species in the uplands of KwaZulu-Natal, the mist-belt forests and grasslands and up Sani Pass into the Drakensberg and Lesotho.  By appoitment only.  Tel:  +27 (0) 33 7011 741

Stuart McLean Birding the Sani Pass and mistbelt forests.  Other nature interests, as well as basic botanical trips.  Tel:  +27 (0) 82 742 6981

Accommodation in and around Southern Drakensberg