Walking Bird Tour

OVERVIEW

Walk through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with an ornithologist that will point out and describe the abundant birds along the way. The biodiversity in the wetlands is so spectacular that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site, the first such designation in South Africa. This vast area – also known as the St. Lucia Wetlands – is especially a paradise for birders as more than 520 avian species have been identified there. You may see pink-backed pelicans, yellow-billed storks, African spoonbills and white-faced whistling ducks, a striking goose-like bird usually seen in flocks numbering in the hundreds. But birds aren’t the only creatures that you can expect to spot in the wetlands. Chances are, you will see waterbuck and reedbuck antelopes grazing in the park’s grasslands and massive hippos almost completely submerged in the waters to keep their skin moist and cool. A group of hippos is called a “bloat,” a reference to their bulky size.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Observe a variety of birdlife while walking through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
• Hear fascinating facts about the birds and their behavior from the ornithologist guide.
• Look for African animals such as hippos and antelope, which also thrive in the park.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.