BIRDING IN THE GARDEN ROUTE
The Garden Route is one of the lushest and charming places to visit in South Africa and Birding in the Garden Route is a special experience. Knysna is a natural indigenous paradise offering breathtaking and endless opportunities for Twitchers to complete their birding lists.
Our Knysna forest is the largest closed-canopy forest in southern Africa. It is a subtropical climate with rain almost all year round. It’s a wonderland of sea, mountains, forest, fynbos and water, thus home to more than 370 different species of birds.
Everyone seeks peace to relieve us from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city life. Whether your idea of relaxing is looking for mindfulness, thrill-seeking or adventure, Knysna offers it all.
Forest Edge, Rheenendal, Knysna is right in the heart of the forest. With only a wire fence between our establishment and the dense lush tree canopies, it is truly a special place. There are 850 species of birds recorded in Southern Africa of which 50 of them are only found in Southern Africa and nowhere else. We have regular visits, from our feathered friends, including the Knysna Loerie, and the Knysna Woodpecker as they frequent the trees and ponds on the premises. Our Nightlife is also a spectacular and special experience all by its self, with the sounds of Nightjars echoing, fireflies fluttering and rustling of the trees.
Can you think of a better way to experience the Garden Route, than being right in the woods? It is the only way to truly experience the Knysna indigenous forest with all its glory.
For those wanting to go birding in the area surrounding our establishment, there are two great bird hides, the Rondevlei bird hide, and the Lang Vlei bird hide, which never disappoints, we recorded 6 Malachite Kingfisher during our short visit. They have been well maintained and easy to access for all fitness levels. You can also venture out along the estuary in Knysna itself or around the lakes that surround Sedgefield. If you would like a guided tour to any of these we have the following recommendations:
The scope of environmental variation in the Garden Route offers visitors to the region the option of forest, wetland, Fynbos, estuary, riverine, montane and coastal experiences without having to travel vast distances. It is on this foundation of diversity that Garden Route Birding have developed their range of guided birding tours in the region.
We can also highly recommend the Wilderness River Safari, moving up and down the Touw River or Island Lake for birding, either early morning or late afternoon. They have never failed to find us some great birds, including the Half-collard Kingfisher in all its glory. This is, of course, weather dependent but is a beautiful ride none the less and very cost-effective. Here is more information: https://wildriversafaris.co.za/
Garden Route Birding also offers some great tours, and they have a birding list available on their site for those wanting to see what they can tick off on the list. They offer both land and water viewing/capturing. Here is a link to their birding list, as well as the tours on offer: List Of Birds
The Garden Route, bus especially Rheenendal, Knysna and surrounds is truly one of the most amazing birding experiences in the country.
We look forward to sharing our feathered friends with you and welcoming you to Forest Edge.
Forest Greetings
