Less than two meters in front of you, the Jurassic-looking birds swoop in to feed. If it weren't for the glass, you would be able to reach out and touch them. There is something special about being so close to these powerful birds which are normally only seen soaring high in the skies.
For many years, Spurge Flemington of Riverlea Farm has had a vulture restaurant on his farm. Wildlife ACT notes the following about the importance of vulture restaurants: 'Vulture safe feeding sites or vulture restaurants are areas where uncontaminated carcasses are intentionally placed to provide a safe and sustainable supplementary food source for vultures, to help ensure their survival and contribute to the ecological balance.'
Chris Kelly, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wildlife ACT, monitored the vultures that came into feed at the restaurant. Chris then suggested the idea of a permanent hide being built; this vision became a reality through the support of Invicta Wildlife, CHEP, and the European Outdoor Conservation Association; as well as partners in conservation partners: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Project Vulture, Drakensberg Conservation Initiative, Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.
The well-equipped Mzimkulu Vulture Hide is set to open to the public on Monday, the 19th of February 2024. The hide is located 8 kilometers from Underberg, in KwaZulu-Natal’s Southern Drakensberg. Due to well-placed signage from Underberg, the site of the hide is easy to find. The hide is located at the foot of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site, meaning that not only is the hide good for seeing these powerful birds but also provides stunning views over the Drakensberg mountains. The Southern Drakensberg is an important area for two of South Africa's cliff-nesting species of vulture, Cape and Bearded Vulture.
The hide forms part of Wildlife ACT’s Southern Drakensberg Conservation Project and was built to support endangered Vulture conservation through a Vulture Safe Feeding Zone. As Wildlife ACT notes: 'Vultures are nature's cleanup crew, scavenging and disposing of animal remains that could otherwise become breeding grounds for disease. By swiftly recycling organic matter, Vultures help prevent the spread of illnesses that could affect both humans and animals. Despite their importance, Vulture numbers across Africa are in rapid decline, and their range numbers have decreased by up to 70%. Of the six Vulture species that occur in South Africa, all are either Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. Despite being critical to our ecosystems, Vulture numbers are in serious decline, with only 50 to 100 breeding pairs of Bearded Vulture in South Africa and Lesotho and about 4,500 breeding pairs of Cape Vulture left in South Africa.'
This hide is a must-visit for birders, nature lovers, and definitely for photographers. The hide is fitted with state-of-the-art one-way photography glass. I was skeptical when I was first told that I would be photographing through glass, but I was impressed with the results - the glass had no negative effect on my photos at all. The one-way glass means that the birds don't see you, which allows for some close-up encounters with these giants of the sky. The hide can seat 6 people comfortably, with 3 office-style chairs and three bar-style chairs. There is a 500-watt inverter, which powers two plug points in the hide - this means you can charge phones, laptops, and camera batteries while in the hide. There is also a high-quality video tripod in the hide - which guests are allowed to use. There is also a toilet in the parking area. The walk from the parking area to the hide isn't too far, meaning photographers won't find it too challenging to move their equipment from their cars to the hide.
Not only is the hide a haven for photographers, but birders will love spending time in the hide. Not only could you see vultures, but also species such as White-necked Ravens, Secretarybird, Denham's Bustard, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Wahlberg's Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Yellow-billed Kite, and many other Drakensberg specials.
This project shows how farms can play an important role in the conservation of various species. As visitors use the hide, they will be aware of the challenges that are faced by vultures, resulting in these special birds being conserved.
The hide also plays an important role in driving eco-tourism into the area. The hide could be booked by a variety of groups - including bird tour groups, bird clubs, photo clubs, schools, and birders. To best enjoy the birding in the area, we encourage people to book the hide as a part of the greater Drakensberg experience. A trip to the hide over a weekend could be paired with a trip up Sani Pass.
To book to use the hide, email vulture@wildlifeact.com or visit the website at www.saveourvultures.com. Please book at least 48 hours ahead of when you plan to visit. The entrance fee for four hours is R300 per person, R150 for children 16 and under (*kindly note that children under 6 cannot be accommodated at the hide). It is possible to book the Hide exclusively for the day for R1500. Funds raised from visitor bookings will be used to keep the Vulture Safe Feeding Site and Hide operational.
For more information and bookings enquiries:
Website www.saveourvultures.com
Email: vulture@wildlifeact.com
