Mtunzini is the birders paradise,
The main birding spots include the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, the Raphia Palm Monument and around Twinstreams Environmental Centre but visitors are often most surprised at the rich birdlife found in their B&B gardens.
The local specials are the Palmnut Vulture – attracted to the area by the large number of raphia palms planted in the swamp forests in the town and on surrounding farms, Green Twinspot, Grey Sunbird, African Cuckoo Hawk, African Finfoot, Narina Trogon and the Mangrove Kingfisher during the winter months.
Mtunzini is also the feeding habitat of large numbers of Trumpeter Hornbills and Woolly- necked Storks.
If you are a keen birder and need to push up your check list with some rare ‘specials’ then the annual Mtunzini Birding Weekend in June or July may be your chance to get those all-important ticks!
The popular four-day event gives birding enthusiasts a chance to find several rare species while exploring some little-known birding hotspots with top class guides.
Hosted by Mtunzini Conservancy and using the Twinstreams Environmental Centre as its base, the weekend is limited to 24 birders who are arranged into smaller groups and covers a diverse range of habitats including Ongoye Forest outside Mtunzini, Dlinza Forest in Eshowe, and the Umlalazi and Amatikulu nature reserves with guides trained by Birdlife SA..