Birding in and around Sodwana Bay

The best birding areas around Sodwana are the Ngoboseleni Trail, Lake Sibaya to the north and Muzi Pans further inland.

The Ngoboseleni Trail starts and ends at the Ezimvilo Wildlife reception office inside the Sodwana Bay National Park.
The trail takes approximately 4 hours over easy terrain which includes coastal forest, wetland and some grassland.

Forest species include Turacos, Woodward's Batis, Green Coucal, Black-bellied Starling and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher  while Crested Guineafowl can be encountered along the path.
Ngoboseleni Lake has waterbirds such as Pygmy Goose, Goliath Heron, African Jacana and White-faced Duck. Fish Eagle can also be seen on the lakes edge.

Sea-birds include Cape Gannet, Cape Cormorant, Swift and Caspian Terns and White-fronted Plover.

Lake Sibaya hosts an impressive array of species, 279 bird species have been identified here.
Entry is through the Parks Board gate on the south eastern shore of the lake. The road alternates between soft and hard sand and access to the area requires a 4x4 vehicle.

Waterbirds in the area include Goliath, Purple, Great White, Squacco, Green-backed and occasionally Rufous-bellied Herons have been recorded. Five stork species - Woolly necked, Saddle billed, Open bill, Black and Yellow bellied can be seen.
As well as African Marsh Harrier, Caspian Tern and White Pelican.
The lakes fringes house Lesser Jacana, Great Crested Grebe, Pygmy Goose and Allen's Gallinule.
Grassland species include Swamp Nightjar, Pink throated Longclaw, and Secretarybird can be seen.
The coastal forest surrounding the lake accommodates African Broadbill, Woodward's Batis, African Crowned Eagle, Livingstone's Turaco and Gorgeous Bush-Shrike.