Our little caravan club decided to visit Bivane Dam. Pikkie Kriel, Alen Viljoen and myself decided to go. I have lived in Zululand for 31 years in Zululand and has never visited Bivane Dam. We booked into chalets for the weekend. It is 230 km from Richards Bay and a bit far to travel with our caravans for just a weekend.
Past Vryheid the area started becoming extremely rocky. What an amazing sight! Driving through the hills and suddenly seeing the dam nestled beneath the mountains. We were welcomed by friendly people and the chalets were neat and comfortable. You can walk all along the edge of the dam, well known for its bass fishing. At the water`s edge we saw our first new bird species, a Brown Throated Swallow. There is a trail leading to the dam wall. Here we saw another special bird species, the Bald Ibis.
On the roof of the offices, we saw a Cape Rock Thrush, a first for me. To do birding in the mountains around the dam, you need a 4X4. We enjoyed breakfast next to the Bivane River. Alen treated us to his famous cooking. For birders, this is a worthwhile destination.
Special Sightings:(* indicates a new bird species for the authors)
African Paradise Flycatcher, * Brown-throated Martin, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Grey Headed Bush Shrike, * Cape Rock Thrush, Southern Bald Ibis, * Striped Pipit and Woodlands Kingfisher.
Total Species seen for the weekend: 44