New Germany Nature Reserve is situated about 15 km west of Durban in the town of Pinetown. The reserve was proclaimed in 1986 but has remained relatively wild and undeveloped. However, there is an excellent circular trail about 2.5 hours long through grassland, coastal bush and patches of protea.
You can expect to see small buck such as blue and common duiker as well as banded mongoose but the birding is especially good – specials to look out for are Shelley’s Francolin, Plain-backed Pipit, Zitting Cisticolas , Cape Grassbird, African Pipit, Fiscal Flycatcher, Little Bee-eater, African Goshawk, African Paradise Flycatcher and Grey Sunbird.
There is an interpretive centre where you can see live indigenous snakes as well as a large aviary, a bird hide and picnic spots.
The reserve is open from 7h00 to 17hoo and there is a safe parking area.
Getting there: From the N3 west out of Durban , take the glide-off to the M13 to Pinetown, and then shortly thereafter the Stapleton Road off-ramp. Turn right at the traffic lights and follow Stapleton Road along, through another set of traffic lights and down the hill. At the bottom, turn right into Mountain Ridge Road , where New Germany Nature Reserve is signposted. Follow this road up a steep hill and turn left at the top to get to the gate.
Tel: +27 (0)31 262 8239 Email, Website (birding)
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