Copyright ©2007 The Zululand Birding Route
Welcome to Ongoye Forest Birders Camp
A dream location for bird watchers, hikers,
mountain bikers, botanists and nature lovers
with breathtaking views and scenery.
About Ongoye Forest
The Ongoye forest lies about 150km north of Durban, between Mtunzini,
Eshowe and Empangeni. It is a large remnant patch of pristine coastal forest,
3903 ha in extent and lies along a ridge of hills overlooking the Indian Ocean.
This beautiful forest is interspersed with patches of rolling grasslands between
granite outcrops.
Ongoye is one of the few forests that has its own endemic mammal,
the Ongoye Red Squirrel. Ongoye Forest is the only place to see Woodwards' Barbet in southern Africa. Samango monkeys, baboon, mongooses, thick-tailed bushbaby and the secretive blue duiker can also be seen. The Zululand dwarf chameleon, a localised KwaZulu Natal endemic,
is abundant at Ongoye and the forest green butterfly Euryphene achlys is unique to this forest.
About The Camp
Built in 2008 an recently refurbished, the Ongoye Forest Birders Camp is a joint project between a wide range of stakeholders including The Zululand Birding Route, Mzimela Tribal Authority, Uthungulu District Municipality, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The SAPPI WWF Tree Routes Partnership, and Umalazi Municipality. The camp offers comfortable accommodation for birders and other clients that wish to enjoy the forest, with proceeds going back to the Mzimela Community Trust.
The area is undoubtedly one of the provinces most precious biodiversity areas with several endemic species found only in this forest. This project is intended to make a positive difference to the long-term conservation of this asset, and to directly involve the forests neighbouring communities and the Mzimela Tribal Authority in the areas management. Camp services such as guiding, cleaning, and providing alien species braii wood are provided by local community members and we are always seeking ways to increase this involvement.
Click here for more details on Ongoye Forest geology and other interesting information
Accommodation
The camp boasts a charming house with 3 comfortable bedrooms each with twin beds, and a shared bathroom with shower and toilet.
(camping for extra people is allowed by prior arrangement)
Linen and towels are provided.
A gas stove and fridge are provided for your use as well as all cutlery & crockery for up to 6 people.
The camp is NOT electrified but gas is provided for the stove, and we have paraffin lamps for lighting. Hot water is heated using locally removed alien species and is bought from members of the community.
The house has an open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen as well as an outside veranda and braai area.
Camping
We are currently upgrading the facilities for our camp site.
Please check back here for further information.
What to bring:
Food and drinks (clean forest water is available for drinking but may not be to your taste)
Torch, toiletries, insect repellent, sun cream, walking shoes, hat, bird books, binoculars.
Braii wood is available to buy from locally supplied alien species upon request.
Directions:
At Mtunzini, turn off the N2 freeway and head inland (west).
At a Tjunction turn right (north) and take the old road north to Empangeni (R102).
About 4km north of the Forest Inn, turn left onto a dirt road, just before what was an old Shell Service station.
Follow this road for 4.5km and turn right onto D1554. Continue on this road for about 5km to just past the Manzamnyama School on your left and turn right onto a small track.
The gate into the forest is 3Kms further and the camp will be on your left.
The road is well signposted but badly potholed in some areas. Although the camp is accessible by sedan, a high clearance vehicle is advised.
It is advisable to use a guide when visiting the forest. Please contact the Zululand Birding Route for more details
Things To Do
Birding: Ongoye is home to over 160 species of birds and is the only place to find the Green Barbet!
Our local guides will be happy to show you around the forest and point out birds and other species along the way. We have many trails for you to enjoy of varying length and difficulty. Some take you to the heart of the pristine forest, others will lead you through beautiful open grasslands and forest patches. All are beautiful and full of wildlife!
1. Good birding can be enjoyed by walking along the track. There is a lot of activity in the first 2km. Apart from the Woodwards' (Green) Barbet, the other "green" specials include Green Twinspot, Green Malkoha, Olive Woodpecker, Olive Bush-Shrike and Emerald Cuckoo. Keep a look out for Lemon Dove, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Grey Sunbird, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, the globally threatened Spotted Ground-Thrush, Brown Scrub-Robin, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher, Forest Canary, Natal Francolin, Chorister Robin-chat, and Mountain Wagtail, (there is a small weir on a stream about 2km into the forest, so watch out for those secretive birds found in drainage lines).
2. At various lookout points (at the top of open hillsides) look for Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons in the forest canopy and soaring raptors - African Crowned Eagle, Black-breasted Snake-Eagle, Yellow-billed Kites, Jackal, Steppe and Forest Buzzards, African Goshawk and Black Sparrowhawk.
3. On the many rocky outcrops at the entrance, look for Striped Pipit and Plain-backed Pipit. In the grasslands, Orange-throated and Yellow-throated Longclaws, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Secretarybird, Southern Ground-Hornbill and Fan-tailed Cisticola can be seen, while in the road cuttings Pygmy Kingfisher nest holes are found.
Hiking: If you are not interested in birding there are still plenty of great hiking trails on offer that will take you to stunning views of the bay and surrounding area. Our guides will be happy to show you the way!
Rock Climbing: There is some enjoyable rock climbing to be had on granite domes and
slabs in the oNgoye Forest Reserve. For further details please visit the Mountain Club of South Africa website (KwaZulu-Natal section) by clicking here
Mountain Biking: We have some great trails designated for mountain bikers that will weave in and out of both grassland and forest areas. We also have a new enterprise in Ongoye forest renting mountain bikes to those of you who do not have your own. If you are interested in renting bikes please contact us to discuss arrangements prior to your arrival.
4x4 Trails: We have a few excellent roads and trails for 4x4 drivers to explore. Please be considerate and do not drive off road in the Ongoye Forest Reserve as we have some very fragile grassland species that we are trying to protect!
Picnics: We are in progress with creating a few picnicking areas with shaded parking, tables and litter facilities. These will be developed over the next few months. In the meantime feel free to find the perfect lunching spot and remember to take all your litter with you!
What to Bring:
Food and drinks, insect repellent, sun cream, walking shoes, hat, bird books, binoculars
Rates for Ongoye Forest Birders Camp
Correct for May 2011- May 2012:
R150.00 per person per night
(minimum charge R450.00)
Children under 5 yrs may stay for free!
Maximum 6 people per group (in 3 twin/double bedrooms)
Camping facilities are available for more guests upon request.
Please contact us for more information about camping rates.
Ongoye Sponsors
The Ongoye Forest Birders Camp is the joint project between a wide group
of stakeholders including The Zululand Birding Route, Mzimela Tribal
Authority, Uthungulu District Municipality, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The
SAPPI WWF Tree Routes Partnership, Foskor Ltd and Umalazi Municipality.
The area is undoubtedly one of the provinces most precious bio diversity
areas this project is intended to make a positive difference to the long
term conservation of this asset and directly involve the forests
neighbouring communities, the Mzimela Tribal Authority in the area¹s
management.
Please complete the online booking form and we will get back to you within 48 hours.
If you would prefer to print a booking form and return it to us by email or fax you can download the pdf by clicking on the icon below
