Roodewal Nature Reserve

Roodewal Nature Reserve is situated in the Soutpansberg, just to the east of Louis Trichardt. The 390ha reserve is comprised mostly of the tall bushveld/woodland that dominates much of the Soutpansberg. The area is great for bushveld birds.

Birding
Bushveld and woodland birds predominate and features species such as White-throated Robin-Chat, White-browed Scrub-Robin, African Broadbill, Olive Bush-Shrike, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike and Scaly-throated Honeyguide. Keep an ear open for the Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, which is common in the area. European Bee-eater and Steppe Buzzard are common summer visitors. The birding is good, especially in the early morning.

Dwarf and Slender Mongooses are commonly encountered while Bushpig, Bushbuck, Serval, Porcupine and Leopard also occur in the area.

General
There are no facilities at the reserve. Birding can be done along the road by vehicle or on foot.

NB: There is a boom on the road to the forest, which opens in the morning and closes in the evening. If you are planning a very early start at the forest you will need to make arrangements for the boom to be opened with Erina Lombard on +27 83 452 2091.

When dry, the plantation roads are good and the trip from Louis Trichardt to the reserve will take about 20 minutes. Warning: the roads become extremely slippery and muddy in wet weather and access may be impossible at these times (even in a 4×4). Alternatively, the Clouds End Hotel is about 2km out of Louis Trichardt on the N3 to Messina and offers access to very similar habitat. See also the description of Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre.

Dale Forbes 2001