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BIRDING
Province: Zululand
Route: Prince Dabulamanzi Trail

Situated in southern Zululand, near the town of Eshowe, are two beautiful indigenous forests Dlinza and Entumeni. Both consist almost entirely of coastal scarp forest with a few glades of grassland. Known for their birds, moths (home of the Miller's Tiger), butterflies and plants, the forests are also home to a number of mammal species. They are visited by bird watchers from all over the world with the hope of catching a glimpse of one of the rare species that occur there. Both forests have hiking trails that allow easy access for visitors to enjoy their unique cool atmosphere. 

Local farmers belonging to the Eshowe-Entumeni Conservancy have formed a partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife to manage the two reserves. This has now realized a long held dream of joining the two forests with a hiking trail, called "Prince Dabulamanzi Trail" named after one of the Zulu Princes who lived in the area during and before the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. The trail starts in Dlinza, winds its way through beautiful forests and streams on the farms, into Entumeni Forest and ends up on Dreadnought Farm. In time, the trail will be extended to Mbongolwane Wetland, situated within the tribal lands of the Ntuli Clan, which are to the west of Eshowe.

ESHOWE TOWN
(Hamish McLaggan)

MARKET SQUARE
This Grassland is very small, but supports the likes of Red-faced Cisticola, Yellow-fronted Canary, Red-collared Widow, Blue-billed Firefinch and Red-shouldered Widow. Travel west down Kangela Street towards the High School, which is on the left, and then turn right (north) into Pearson Street, which leads down to Rutledge Park and the Grassland will be on your right. On the Northern side, the old railway track runs from west to east and walking along here can be rewarding. 

RUTLEDGE PARK-PEARSON STREET AND ESHOWE DAM
Continue north on Pearson Street, past the aircraft landing strip on your left (search the grassy runways for pipits) and just after the road becomes gravel you will find the Rutledge Park Site of Conservation Significance on your right. The road leads straight to the dam.

This Grassland Park has a Dam, which supplies the town with water. Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfisher, Reed Cormorant, Darter, African Fish Eagle and Three-banded Plover are to be found and in the trees of the park look out for both Black and Greater Double-collared Sunbird as well as Black-bellied Starling. Cape White-eye and Green Pigeon can also be seen.

ESHLAZI DAM
Return to Kangela Street and turn right (west). After one block, turn right off Kangela Street into Oftebro Street and proceed north for about one and a half kilometres where the Dam will be visible on the left of the road. Yellow-billed Duck, White-faced Duck, Egyptian Goose, Brown-throated Martin, Spectacled Weaver and Blacksmith Plover as well as some waders can be found. Mountain Wagtail has turned up here before.

DLINZA FOREST RESERVE
Open 7:00am. Gates locked 5:00pm KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
No permit is required.
Drive along Kangela Street in the direction of Entumeni/Nkandla and turn left into Oftebro Street at the Dlinza Forest sign. After a short distance you will enter Dlinza Forest. Park in the parking area near the picnic sites. The Canopy Boardwalk is easily accessible. The other forest entrance is in Saunders Street.

Established as a conservation area in 1947, this 250 ha forest is uniquely situated within the urban environment of Eshowe. The Dlinza Forest historically provided a burial site for the Zulu dead long before this, when elephants were present in the forest. The forest is best known for its birds. Two in particular, namely the Spotted Ground-Thrush and Delegorgue's Pigeons, are much sought after by birders. A picnic site on the western side provides secluded private barbecue sites and modern ablution facilities. The forest trail, which starts at the picnic site, takes approximately 2 hours to walk. An alternative to the forest trail is the Royal drive, a forest road that passes through the centre of the forest which was used by the British Royal family in 1947 during their visit to Eshowe.

The presence of a nesting pair of African Crowned Eagles in the centre of the forest has resulted in their prey, the vervet monkey, utilizing only the forest margin. Throughout the year, particularly in autumn, the butterflies are most impressive. Seventy species have been recorded. Approximately 20 pairs of endangered Spotted Ground-Thrush and two pairs of Black Sparrowhawk breed in the Dlinza. Also keep a look out for Delegorgue's Pigeon, Green Twinspot, Green Coucal, Narina Trogon, Emerald Cuckoo, Olive Bush-Shrike, Scaly-throated and Lesser Honeyguides, Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Red-backed Mannikin, Wood Owl, Purple-crested Turaco, Chorister Robin, Lemon Dove, Terrestrial Brownbul, Grey and Collared Sunbirds, and White-eared Barbet.

Enhancements: Canopy Boardwalk, hide, picnic sites and ablutions

ESHOWE ENTUMENI CONSERVANCY
KWAMAHLEKA FARM
(Gavin & Betty Wiseman, 035 474 1815)
KwaMahleka Farm is situated between the Dlinza Forest and Brocklee Farm, and is some 6 km from the Boardwalk in Dlinza Forest.

Visitors wishing to make this their starting point for hiking the Prince Dabulamanzi Trail should turn left (South) off Kangela street at Mpushini Park, follow the D356 road markers and the number 6.5 on the yellow Farm Watch signs until they reach the KwaMahleka farmstead. 

Vehicles may be left at this point, but no overnight accommodation is available.

From the farmstead, the trail follows the major topographical feature of the farm, a deep valley clothed with indigenous forest. This valley disgorges into the Nwaku River on the farm boundary, where the trail passes onto Brocklee farm. The length of the trail on KwaMahleka farm is some 1,8km.

Avifauna is typical of that found in the forests of the Eshowe-Entumeni area, while bushbuck, grey, blue and red duiker, bushpig, porcupines, thick-tailed bushbaby, various species of mongoose and vervet monkeys have been recorded on the farm. Hikers should keep a lookout for Cape clawless otter in the Nwaku River. A pair of African Crowned Eagles is thought to nest in the dense forest on the left bank of the Nwaku River.

An attractive feature of this section of the trail is the well-preserved streambank forest along the main drainage lines on the farm.

BROCKLEE FARM
(Hugh Lee 035 474 8707)
From KwaMahleka Farm the trail follows the Nwaku, a delightful cascading stream, and meanders through forested groves and grassland along an even gradient. The path eventually reaches the heights of Ntabamnyama (Black Mountain) with splendid views for 360 degrees about 4 kilometres from KwaMahleka farm.

On route, the hiker can experience forest trees in fruit and flowers all accompanied by a cacophony of bird song. bushbuck, grey, red and blue duiker, impala, reedbuck, bushpig and even the occasional shy leopard occur on this farm.

Camping sites with hot water shower and flush toilets as well as a self-catering chalet are available by prior arrangement.

There is vehicle access to Ntabamnyama before entering the Entumeni Forest so that this section can be accomplished comfortably in 6 hours which also allows for plenty of time for birding, taking in the sights, picnicking and absorbing the tranquility of rural Zululand (the place of heaven).

DREADNOUGHT WALKING TRAIL
(Louis Gunter 035-4749004 or gunterl@freemail.absa.co.za )

(26 kms from Eshowe Town Hall)
From Eshowe, take the Entumeni/Nkandla road and after 13.2 kilometers turn left at the Entumeni Nature Reserve signpost. Travel a further 8.4 kilometers and turn right onto the D397 road. Proceed for 4.4 kilometres and you will pass Farm Watch sign 9.6 and the signboard `Mr L Gunter'. Continue down a steep decline, cross the first stream and just after the second stream, turn right. 

Park in the parking area. Listen for the African Crowned Eagle. On the walk, look for African Crested Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, African Black Duck, Grey Waxbill, Purple-crested Turaco, Black-bellied Starling, Dusky and Ashy Flycatchers. Scaly-throated Honeyguides are not uncommon. After you have walked past a clump of orange Clivia miniata (early spring flowering), keep a watch for African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, Green Coucal, woodpeckers and bulbuls. The walk ends at a picturesque waterfall

Natural Heritage Sites- Maguda, Rocky Ridge, Arcadia, Misty Ridge

To visit these beautifully preserved areas, contact the Eshowe Entumeni Conservancy Secretary - gavinl@netactive.co.za or phone +27 (0) 35 476 6776. 
Treat yourself to an early morning walk, particularly after rain, where the silence is broken by a chorus of forest birds and frogs. While walking, keep a look out for secretive blue duiker and bushbuck, which can be seen or heard as they scamper across the forest floor.


ENTUMENI FOREST RESERVE
(16.7 kms from Eshowe Town Hall) 
Open 7:00am - 5:00pm KwaZulu-NatalWildlife. 

No permit is required. Situated west of Eshowe, drive through Eshowe along Kangella Street in the Nkandla direction. After 13.2 kilometers turn left and continue for 3.5 kilometers where you will find the entrance and picnic site on the right. 

Established in 1970, this 750 ha reserve consists largely of a gorge covered by forest. A visit to this reserve is advised only for the fit as the two trails are both situated on steep terrain. There are no facilities other than a clearing in the forest with two picnic tables. The two trails begin at this clearing. The uPiti Trail is a circular route and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The Ukhozi Trail takes approximately 4 hours. The Ukhozi Trail covers some beautiful but strenuous terrain. The half-way point is at a spectacular waterfall on the Ngoje stream. At this point the rare Mountain Wagtails are often observed along the stream. 

Birds similar to those seen in Dlinza Forest may be found, but you might also see African Broadbill, Rameron Pigeon, Brown Scrub-robin, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler and Black Cuckoo. On the forest edge, look for Drakensberg Prinia, Lazy and Croaking Cisticolas and Southern Tchagra. Listen for Shelley's Francolin. Two pairs of African Crowned Eagles are regularly seen and heard flying over the forest. 

As with the Dlinza Forest, both blue duiker and bushbuck occur in the forest. The grasslands in the reserve are home to a herd of zebra. 

This forest has a particularly high and impressive canopy provided by trees such as the Giant Umzimbeet, Wild Plum and Flatcrowns. Those in turn provide shade for the numerous colonies of plants such as Cycads and Clivias on the forest floor.

A rare moth, the Miller's Tiger, which was thought to be extinct, was recently discovered in the grasslands of the Entumeni Forest. 

Enhancements: A picnic site and walking trails 

MBONGOLWANE WETLAND
Nomusa Ntuli

Mbongolwane Wetland is about 41km from Eshowe Town Hall. From Eshowe, take the Entumeni / Nkandla road and continue past the Entumeni Nature Reserve turnoff (to the left). At about 29 km from Eshowe, take the left hand fork in the road, which is signposted "Entumeni" (note this is the second "Entumeni" sign and has a sponsor's logo - "Clover"). After about 2km you will find "Pett's Store and Tea Room" on the left and the Mbongolwane Road clearly sign posted. Turn right here and proceed with the Mbongolwane Road, which soon becomes gravel. After a further 10 km's you will see the Mbongolwane High School and the wonderful Mbongolwane Wetland will welcome you.

Enjoy the view of the wetland and the calls of the common birds such as Hadeda Ibis, Barn Swallow, Pied Crows and Cattle and Little Egrets. Add to that birds such as Crowned Crane (breeding), Southern Bald Ibis, Yellow-billed Kite, Stanley's Bustard, Black-winged Plover, Black-headed Heron, Little Grebe, Yellow-billed duck and Purple Gallinule. The Wetland is not only beautiful in all seasons, but serves the purpose of providing water and resources for the community and the animals. This it continues to do in seasons of drought.

The Zulu women of the Mbongolwane Village use the Ikhwani and Incama found in the Wetland to craft items such as sleeping mats, door mats, baskets, Ikhwani coolers, bags, Ikhwani tiles and lamp shades. They sell the crafts locally and internationally; the funds received from the sales are used for community development projects.

To visit the Mbongolwane Wetland contact Mrs D Shandu on +27 (0)35 4764056 or Numusa Ntuli at Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk +27(0)35 474 4029 or boardwalk@zbr.co.za .

ACCOMMODATION
Numerous establishments as well as camping facilities are available in Eshowe. An interpretive display on the fauna and flora in the area is situated in Eshowe's Fort Nongqayi Museum.