Community Bird Guides
Click on a route name for more information on the community guides in the area.
Community Bird Guide Development Program
An exciting initiative along all the birding routes is the availability of Community Bird Guides. The guides are affordable, provide improved security and valuable information on where elusive and special bird species may be found.
BirdLife South Africa recognised the important role that local communities can play in conservation and as a result became involved in bird guide training and skills development. BirdLife South Africa launched the Community Bird Guide Training Program in 2001.
The program was designed to provide local community members with an opportunity to participate in the ever-growing avitourism business, as well as to create an awareness of the economic benefits of birds and their habitats to local communities.
The program works together with communities along each route to identify potential Community Bird Guides. Funding is then sourced to assist these community members in attending a 1-month accredited bird guide training course. An extensive route mentorship and support program is also in place to help guides to continues to grow and develop once training is completed.
| Recommended Bird Guiding Rates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clients | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3-4 hours | 5-6 hours | 7-8 hours | 8+ hours |
| 1-2 pax | R 125.00 | R 210.00 | R 290.00 | R 350.00 | R 450.00 | R 550.00 |
| 3-4 pax | R 180.00 | R 260.00 | R 360.00 | R 480.00 | R 550.00 | R 600.00 |
| 5-8 pax | R 220.00 | R 290.00 | R 410.00 | R 500.00 | R 600.00 | R 650.00 |
| 8 or more | R 290.00 | R 360.00 | R 460.00 | R 550.00 | R 700.00 | R 800.00 |
* rates are per group, not per person
Eastern Cape
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Mncedi "Marinki" Gcitshana Operating Area: Cata Village, Keiskammaheok, Amothole Forest Complex Cell: +27 (0)73 738 7725 |
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Thokoza Magqaza Operating Area: Cata Village, Amathole Forest Complex,Eastern Cape Cell: +27 (0)73 738 7725 |
Contact Information
To book a guide or to find out more, contact Boniswa Tontsi:
- Cell: +27 (0)83 7340 739
- E-mail: catamusuem@gmail.com
Gauteng
Kruger to Canyons
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Michael Kumako Operating Area: Michael is based at the Strydom Tunnel on the Abel Erasmus Pass at the site of the extremely rare Taita Falcon. Cell: +27 (0)79 261 1559 |
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Abednigo Mahbela Operating Area: Abednigo Mahbela operates within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Cell: +27 (0)72 382 1846 |
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Morris Ngwenyama Operating Area: Morris can assist in a variety of bird watching experience in and around Phalaborwa including a visit to the Grietjie Vulture Restaurant and the Sasavona Bird Hide. Cell: +27 (0)72 499 5823 |
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Idah Lesufi Operating Area: Idah is based at the magnificent Sefapane Lodge and Safaris (a Birder Friendly Establishment) in Phalaborwa. Cell: +27 (0)72 088 2617 |
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Blondy Mabunda Operating Area: Blondy is based in Lulekani, Ba-Phalaborwa. Cell: +27 (0)78 246 0004 |
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Vusi Ngubeni Operating Area: Vusi is based at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge (a Birder Friendly Establishment) in the Balule Private Nature Reserve. Cell: +27 (0)82 308 5763 |
He completed his BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom during August 2007. Vusi is also an experienced nature guide that knows his area of operation exceptionally well and can help you locate the African Barred Owlet at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. |
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Shadrack Mashava Operating Area: Shadrack is currently working for African Ivory Routes and is based at Mbaula north of Letaba Ranch. Cell: +27 (0)82 954 6249 |
He completed his BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom during August 2007. Shadrack has got access to Letaba Ranch which offers spectacular Bushveld birding and includes a large number of raptor species. |
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Sinhle Mathebula Operating Area: He is currently based in the Hoedspruit and Timbavati area. Cell: +27 (0)78 748 2325 |
Sinhle completed his BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom during August 2007 and has since been involved in the Timbavati Oxpecker Project. He recently also completed a field guide course and is now a registered nature site guide. |
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Phanny Risimati Operating Area: Phanny is currently working at the Shingwedzi Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. Cell: +27 (0)72 942 8968 |
Phanny knows birds of the area exceptionally well. He is phenomenal at recognising bird calls and provides an entertaining birding experience. He completed his BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Wakkerstroom during August 2007. |
Greater Limpopo
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David Letsoalo Operating Area: David works from Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge. Cell: +27 (0)83 568 4678 |
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Samson Maluadzi Operating Area: Samson is based in the central Soutpansberg area and can guide birders to the Albasini dam, Muirhead dam, Roodewal forest, Entabeni forest and the Hanglip forests. Cell: +27 (0)83 662 9960 |
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Christopher Nethonzhe Operating Area: Christopher is based in Venda and guides birders through the Golwe Vhurivhuri and Gundani areas. Cell: +27 (0)76 302 9383 |
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Frank Mabasa Operating Area: Frank is the camp site attendant at the Pafuri picnic site in the Kruger National Park. Cell: +27 (0)78 126 5876 |
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Idah Lesufi Operating Area: Idah is based at the magnificent Sefapane Lodge and Safaris (a Birder Friendly Establishment) in Phalaborwa. Contact: +27 (0)72 088 2617 She completed her BirdLife South Africa Bird Guide Training Course at Hoedspruit in August 2008. Idah has got access to the blast of bird life of the Sefapane property and the neighbouring Nursery Dam Bird Hide which teem with waders and the occasional crocodile and pod of hippos. |
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Lucas Namanyane Operating Area: Lucas is a active bird guide at the renowned Nylsvley floodplain, one of South Africa’s Important Bird Areas (IBA’s). Contact: +27 (0) 82 796 6749 / +27 (0)78 566 2829 Nylsvley is also the biggest seasonal floodplain in South Africa surrounded by predominantly thornveld and a few patches of broadleaf woodland. Contact Lucas for all your Nylsvley birding requirements. |
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Paul Nkhumane Operating Area: Based in the Magoebaskloof area of Limpopo Province, Paul has access to the famous Kurisa Moya Nature Lodge and Woodbush Forest, which attracts birders from around the world. Contact: +27 (0) 73 670 5857 If you are still looking for the elusive Black Fronted Bush Shrike, Paul is the man to contact. |
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Thuseni Sigwadi Operating Area: Thuseni is based at Hamakuya in rural Vhenda where he conducts birding walks. Contact: +27 (0) 72 977 6669 As a remote and much unexplored region of Limpopo, the region holds many hidden birding treasures. Contact Thuseni to guide you around Hamakuya. |
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Jeremia Raseala Operating Area: Jeremia is based at the Thaba Metsi Canopy Tours in Magoebaskloof and is currently conducting birding walks through the indigenous forest. Contact: +27 (0)83 866 1546 / +27 (0)71 14 95794 Magoebaskloof is without doubt one of South Africa’s premiere afro-montane forest birding destinations. |
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Moses Maponya Operating Area: Moses is based at the Thaba Metsi Canopy Tours in Magoebaskloof and is currently conducting birding walks through the indigenous forest. Contact: +27 (0)83 866 1546 / +27 (0)71 398 6210 Magoebaskloof is without doubt one of South Africa’s premiere afro-montane forest birding destinations. |
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Joel Sithole Operating Area: Joel is based at the Timbavati Bush School where he conducts environmental education for young learners. Contact: +27 (0)78 216 8266 He can easily assist with any birding requirements within the area. |
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Boaz Tsebe Operating Area: Boaz is a full time guide at Lapalala in the Waterberg of Limpopo Province. Contact: +27 (0) 76 528 6502 / +27 (0)82 395 0079 As another one of South Africa’s Important Bird Areas it offers a wide range of habitats that include montane grassland, Bushveld areas, broadleaved woodland, rocky hills and wooded valleys along permanent rivers. |
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Lizzy Makgamatha Operating Area: Lizzy is a full time guide at Lapalala in the Waterberg of Limpopo Province. Contact: +27 (0) 72 068 7167 / +27 (0)82 887 3912 As another one of South Africa’s Important Bird Areas it offers a wide range of habitats that include montane grassland, Bushveld areas, broadleaved woodland, rocky hills and wooded valleys along permanent rivers. |
Mpumalanga
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Enos Zulu Operating Area: Enos Zulu does part time work for the Endangered Wildlife Trust and is involved with Blue Swallow and Oribi monitoring at Kaapsehoop. Cell: +27 (0)72 331 1197 |
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Justice Masango Operating Area: Justice recently located at Serenity Eco-Reserve near Malelane. Cell: +27 (0)13 790 2000 |
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Appreciate Chiwanza Operating Area: Old Joes Kaia, Schoemanskloof Valley Cell: +27 (0)13 733 3045 |
North West
Northern Cape
Southern Kwazulu-Natal
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Mpendulo Innocent Mzindle Operating Area: Umtamvuna NR & Oribi Gorge Cell: +27 (0)73 893 0241 |
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Richard Jabulani Operating Area: Umtamvuna NR & Oribi Gorge Cell: +27 (0)73 043 5692 |
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Hlengiwe Grace Ndebele Operating Area: Karkloof Conservation Centre (KCC) Cell: +27 (0)33 330 2992 |
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Daluxolo Ngcobo Operating Area: Ntsikeni NR Cell: +27 (0)83 512 9734 |
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Simphiwe Dumakude Operating Area: Marutswa Forest Boardwalk Cell: +27 (0)73 543 8545 |
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Enoch Shezi Operating Area: Gqumeni Forest Cell: +27 (0)72 816 3089 |
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Highover Wildlife Sanctuary Operating Area: Highover Wildlife Sanctuary Cell: +27 (0)33 212 3171 |
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Maxwell Mngadi Operating Area: Shongweni Resources Reserve Cell: +27 (0)76 925 7144 |
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Elton Mnganyi Operating Area: Shongweni Resources Reserve Cell: +27 (0)72 311 0070 |
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Lindelani Zuke Operating Area: Umgeni River, Pigeon Valley, Botanic Gardens, Burman Bush Cell: +27 (0)72 899 0291 |
Western Cape
Zululand
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Aaron Buthelezi Operating Area: Ithala game reserve and Vryheid sanctuary Cell: +27 (0)73 558 5636 |
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Alpha Dladla Operating Area: St Lucia area. Cell: +27 (0)84 716 6310 |
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Bheki Jobe Operating Area: Mkhuze Cell: +27 (0)72 730 8855 E-mail: bhekimvelo@yahoo.co.uk |
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Bheki Mbonambi Operating Area: Muzi pan, and lower Mkhuze. Cell: +27 (0)72 043 4717 |
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Bheki Nyandeni Operating Area: Lake Sibaya and lower Mkhuzi. Cell: +27 (0)72 043 4717 |
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Bongani Mdluli Operating Area: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and St Lucia. Cell: +27 (0)79 488 1904 |
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Buyi Zungu Operating Area: Richards Bay harbor, Lake Nhlabane, Mtunzini, Enseleni and Ongoye. Cell: +27 (0)72 112 8782 |
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Dumisani Mbonambi Operating Area: Zinkwazi,Harold Johnson, Dlokwane forest and Stanger hide. Cell: +27 (0)76 038 9919 E-mail: duminic_da_goat@yahoo.com |
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Jabulani Mbonambi Operating Area: Sodwana Bay, Mkhuzi Game Reserve and Muzi Pan Cell: +27 (0)79 868 1111 |
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Jotham Maduna Operating Area: Dlinza,Ntumeni,Ongoye,Amatigulu and Nkandla Cell: +27 (0)71 225 2704 |
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Junior Gabela Operating Area: Amatigulu,Mlalazi,Ongoye and Dlinza Cell: +27 (0)82 667 3704 |
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Mana Ntuli Operating Area: Dlinza forest,Ntumeni,Mlalazi and Ongoye forest Cell: +27 (0)73 910 6033 |
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Mdu Dube Operating Area: Amatigulu and Stanger hide Cell: +27 (0)82 675 7965 |
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Nkosinathi Mdletshe Operating Area: Ithala game reserve and Vryheid sanctuary Cell: +27 (0)35 753 5644 |
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Noxolo Mthembu Operating Area: Bonamanzi and Muzi Pan. Cell: +27 (0)72 785 0095 |
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Sakhamuzi Mhlongo Operating Area: Dlinza, Richards Bay Habor, Mlalazi, Nkandla and Ongoye. Cell: +27 (0)83 436 2252 E-mail: sakhamuzimhlongo@yahoo.com |
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Sfundo Gumbi Operating Area: Richards Bay harbor, Lake Nhlabane, Mtunzini, Enseleni and Ongoye. Cell: +27 (0)72 112 8782 E-mail: sfundog@yahoo.com |
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Simon Operating Area: Vryheid, Natal Spar and Pongola Cell: +27 (0)73 184 4001 |
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Thabile Khuzwayo Operating Area: Dlinza, Lake Nhlabane, Mlalazi, Nkandla and Ongoye. Cell: +27 (0)83 772 6121 E-mail: tkuzwayo@zoology.ac.up |
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Themba Mthembu Operating Area: Ndumo, Tembe,Tshanini,St Lucia and Mkhuzi. Cell: +27 (0)71 413 3243 E-mail: themba@zulubirding.com Website: http://www.zulubirding.com |
To book a bird guide in any of the areas, please contact Martin Taylor
Martin Taylor
4 Northcrest, 1A Tudor Rd
Gillitts, 3610
- Tel: +27 (0) 31 767 3339
- Cell: +27 (0) 72 277 7254
- E-mail: taita@birdlife.org.za