Southern Masked Weaver - Wakkerstroom - South Africa

A male Southern Masked Weaver bathing in soft afternoon sunlight. One of many species of birds that can be found in Wakkerstrrom - Mpumalanga - South Africa

Most visitors to South Africa visit Cape Town or the famed Kruger National Park or some of the many outstanding wildlife parks South Africa boasts.

For those looking for something off the beaten tourist track, I recommend spending some of your time in Wakkerstroom. A little town with a wealth of wildlife ( some rarities) especially birds and stunning landscapes of natural beauty in the surrounding area.
Wakkerstroom and its surroundings are located in the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa and hold all three of South Africa’s crane species, including important numbers of Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus. The neighbouring Heyshope Dam holds vast numbers of at least 52 species of resident, migratory and nomadic waterbirds. Regular counts indicate that this dam could hold up to 100,000 individuals.

Why is Wakkerstroom important
Wakkerstroom forms part of the South Africa's Grassland IBA (An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) which is one of the most important biodiversity areas in South Africa. This IBA contains a Ramsar site and has two pending Ramsar applications. The area is very important from a water production perspective in South Africa and is the source of major river systems. A significant proportion of South Africa’s globally threatened White-winged Flufftail Sarothura ayresi is found in this area

If you get a chance its well well worth a visit.