Garden Route National Park Guide
Plan Garden Route National Park with a detailed map of Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, section fees, forest walks, coastal trails, wildlife and places to stay.
Forest and coastline in Garden Route National Park. Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and cropped for this layout.
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Garden Route National Park at a glance
Garden Route National Park is a collection of protected coastal, forest and wetland landscapes, rather than one fenced reserve with a single entrance. Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma each deserve their own planning. The wider Garden Route tourism region includes many towns and private attractions outside the national park, so a famous stop on the road is not automatically covered by a park permit. Choose a few bases and spend time on foot or beside the water. A week across the region allows a more satisfying mix than trying to fit every forest trail and coastal viewpoint into consecutive transfer days.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: Garden Route National Park overview · SANParks: current visitor notices. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
When is the best time to visit Garden Route?
The coastal setting can be visited through the year, but rain, wind and sea conditions can affect plans in any season. Summer is popular and can require early accommodation and activity booking. Cooler months may suit walking but bring shorter daylight and changing weather. Forest shade does not remove the need for water, suitable footwear and a reliable return plan. After heavy rain, ask about flooded or slippery sections and river crossings. A coastal path can be affected by waves even when the sky is clear. Spread walks across the trip, keep a lower-effort alternative and use current trail advice rather than assuming a route described in an old blog is open.
Typical seasonal pattern, not a forecast or a guarantee of road or trail access. Current local conditions take priority.
Which Garden Route area suits your trip?
| Area | Best for | What to expect | Planning point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness and Ebb-and-Flow | Lakes, wetlands and shorter nature outings | Waterways, forest edges and birding suit a stay with time for repeated quiet sessions. | Check launch, activity and trail permissions separately; water conditions can change. |
| Knysna forests and Diepwalle | Forest walks and interpretation | Tall trees, shaded routes and elusive wildlife offer a different pace from coastal viewpoints. | Choose a current authorised route and allow extra time for forest-road access. |
| Harkerville and Kranshoek | A carefully selected coastal-forest walk | Cliffs and forest combine in a rewarding but potentially demanding landscape. | Current rerouting affects the coastal trail; follow the official alternative and local advice. |
| Nature’s Valley | A quieter estuary and forest base | The setting suits unhurried walks and observation across adjoining habitats. | Beach, river and trail conditions need local assessment; a scenic estuary is not a universal swimming permission. |
| Storms River Mouth / Tsitsikamma | A first dramatic coastal visit | Rocky shore, forest and managed visitor routes make a strong introduction. | Allow time for the approach, entrance and the walk itself; book operator activities separately. |
| Plaatbos, Goesa and Big Tree | A distinct forest-permit outing | A shared permit now links these named forest areas. | It is separate from assuming access to Storms River Mouth or a booked overnight trail. |
Garden Route fees, permits and opening hours
The principal section rates are SANParks daily conservation fees for 1 November 2025–31 October 2026. The current notice for the shared Plaatbos, Goesa and Big Tree permit lists the separate figures above through 31 October 2026; payment there is card only. Adult rates apply from age 12, child rates at ages 2–11. Bring identification for the correct category. Accommodation, guided activities, equipment hire and multi-day trails are separate. Confirm Wild Card coverage and whether your planned movements need additional permits. Use the next tariff for travel from 1 November 2026.
| Visitor category / section | Adult | Child (2–11) |
|---|---|---|
| Knysna · SA citizens/residents | R51 | R26 |
| Knysna · SADC nationals | R105 | R52 |
| Knysna · other international visitors | R231 | R115 |
| Nature’s Valley · SA citizens/residents | R73 | R37 |
| Nature’s Valley · SADC nationals | R75 | R37 |
| Nature’s Valley · other international visitors | R165 | R82 |
| Storms River Mouth · SA citizens/residents | R82 | R41 |
| Storms River Mouth · SADC nationals | R167 | R83 |
| Storms River Mouth · other international visitors | R367 | R183 |
| Wilderness · SA citizens/residents | R61 | R30 |
| Wilderness · SADC nationals | R124 | R62 |
| Wilderness · other international visitors | R235 | R118 |
| Plaatbos / Goesa / Big Tree permit · SA | R27 | R13.50 |
| Same three-area permit · SADC | R45 | R22.50 |
| Same three-area permit · international | R96 | R48 |
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: current conservation fees · SANParks: current visitor notices. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Opening hours and reporting times
There is no single useful closing time for this dispersed national park. Confirm the entrance, reception, trail reporting and return times for the section on your reservation. The current Plaatbos, Goesa and Big Tree notice lists 07:00–18:00 in September–April and 08:00–17:00 in May–August. Longer trail bookings have separate start and finish arrangements. Leave a daylight margin for the road back from forest visitor areas and do not treat an open public road as evidence that a park trail or reception remains open.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: current visitor notices · SANParks: access and directions. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
How do you get to Garden Route?
The N2 connects the wider region, but reaching a forest camp or coastal entrance requires a separate approach. George and the eastern regional air gateways can suit different starting points; choose flights and vehicle collection around the actual direction of your trip. Use the named section and confirmed reception on your booking rather than the generic national-park centre. Buy supplies and fuel in the appropriate town before heading into the forest or a camp. Some access roads are slower than the main highway, particularly after rain. Save arrival instructions offline and establish the accommodation’s current contact method before a late transfer.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: current visitor notices · SANParks: access and directions. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Garden Route map: 39 useful places
Use this map to compare bases and understand the landscape. Search by place or filter by type. All locations are approximate orientation points; current park, guide and lodge directions override the map.
Loading map near this section. All places are also listed below.
All 39 map places and access notes
- Ebb and Flow Rest Camp – North · Camps & lodgesAccommodation reference. Book ahead and obtain the correct reception, arrival route and current facilities from the operator. Map source. Approximate.
- Ebb and Flow Rest Camp – South · Camps & lodgesAccommodation reference. Book ahead and obtain the correct reception, arrival route and current facilities from the operator. Map source. Approximate.
- Tarentaal Day Visitor Area · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Malachite Bird Hide · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Bird Hide · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- Rondevlei · Water featuresGeographic water-feature reference, not a launch, swimming or direct driving destination. Use only authorised visitor access. Map source. Approximate.
- Bo-Langvlei · Water featuresGeographic water-feature reference, not a launch, swimming or direct driving destination. Use only authorised visitor access. Map source. Approximate.
- Island Lake · Water featuresGeographic water-feature reference, not a launch, swimming or direct driving destination. Use only authorised visitor access. Map source. Approximate.
- Swartvlei · Water featuresGeographic water-feature reference, not a launch, swimming or direct driving destination. Use only authorised visitor access. Map source. Approximate.
- Knysna Lagoon · Water featuresGeographic water-feature reference, not a launch, swimming or direct driving destination. Use only authorised visitor access. Map source. Approximate.
- Knysna Tourism Information · Gates & visitor centresVisitor access point. Confirm the correct entrance, current hours and onward directions before arrival. Map source. Approximate.
- King Edward VII Big Tree · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Valley of Ferns · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Velbroeksraai · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Ysterhoutrug · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Spitskop · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- Goudveld Forest Main Entrance · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- The Dalene Matthee Big Tree · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Krisjan se Nek · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Harkerville Forest Station · Gates & visitor centresVisitor access point. Confirm the correct entrance, current hours and onward directions before arrival. Map source. Approximate.
- Kranshoek View Point · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- Kranshoek Picnic Site · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Nature’s Valley Rest Camp · Camps & lodgesAccommodation reference. Book ahead and obtain the correct reception, arrival route and current facilities from the operator. Map source. Approximate.
- Natures Valley Information Center · Gates & visitor centresVisitor access point. Confirm the correct entrance, current hours and onward directions before arrival. Map source. Approximate.
- Salt River Mouth Lookout · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- The Tsitsikamma Big Tree · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Goesa Forest trail · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Storms River Mouth Rest Camp – Camping Site · Camps & lodgesAccommodation reference. Book ahead and obtain the correct reception, arrival route and current facilities from the operator. Map source. Approximate.
- Storms River Mouth Rest Camp – Forest Cabins · Camps & lodgesAccommodation reference. Book ahead and obtain the correct reception, arrival route and current facilities from the operator. Map source. Approximate.
- Enviro Centre · Gates & visitor centresVisitor access point. Confirm the correct entrance, current hours and onward directions before arrival. Map source. Approximate.
- Agulhas lookout point · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- Blue Duiker Trail Waterfall · Areas & trail referencesLandscape or trail reference. This pin is not a trailhead or a verified route; obtain the current authorised map and advice. Map source. Approximate.
- Knysna Heads lookout — regional visitor stop · ViewpointsRegional estuary viewpoint. Use the designated public access and check local conditions; not a national-park reception. Map source. Approximate.
- Storms River N2 bridge viewpoint — outside main park entrance · ViewpointsRoad-trip orientation stop at the highway gorge crossing. This is not the Storms River Mouth park entrance or suspension-bridge walk. Map source. Approximate.
- Dolphin Point — regional coastal viewpoint · ViewpointsUse the designated viewpoint or hide only when open. Follow the current visitor route and keep clear of edges and wildlife. Map source. Approximate.
- Plettenberg Bay airport — outside park · AirstripsAirfield reference only. Landing permission, service availability and ground transfers must be arranged separately. Map source. Approximate.
- Diepwalle Forest Station — arrival reference · Gates & visitor centresPublished forest-station coordinate. Confirm the exact check-in point and onward directions for a Diepwalle accommodation or trail booking. Map source. Approximate.
- Storms River Mouth reception area · Gates & visitor centresVisitor access point. Confirm the correct entrance, current hours and onward directions before arrival. Published facility coordinate; approximate orientation only. Map source. Approximate.
- Storms River Mouth entrance gate · Gates & visitor centresPark entrance before the drive down to Storms River Mouth. Confirm current hours and allow time to reach reception or your booked activity. Map source. Approximate.
Map references include official material where specified and OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 10 September 2026. Selected and labelled by See.Africa. No live animal locations or verified driving route is shown.
A practical Garden Route itinerary
Two nights: choose one section
For a short visit, choose Wilderness, a Knysna forest base or Storms River Mouth and explore it properly. Combine one main walk with shorter birding or viewpoint sessions, leaving a weather alternative.
Four nights: wetland and coast
Spend two nights around Wilderness and two in the Tsitsikamma area, with a deliberate transfer stop if time permits. Avoid making the longest walk compete with a long driving day.
A week: three contrasting bases
Allow time around Wilderness, Knysna forests and Tsitsikamma or Nature’s Valley. Give each base a full day without moving accommodation. Add activities only when their reporting times and transport fit comfortably.
A booked multi-day trail
Build travel around confirmed trail dates, fitness requirements, equipment and river-crossing guidance. Follow the official route and current closure advice. Check overnight infrastructure individually; the current notices include removal of Millwood Hut from bookings after fire damage.
Where should you stay around Garden Route?
Ebb-and-Flow is a practical starting point for the Wilderness section; Diepwalle offers a forest setting in the Knysna area; Nature’s Valley and Storms River Mouth suit different parts of Tsitsikamma. Compare the exact campsite, deck, hut or self-catering unit rather than assuming facilities from the camp name. Check vehicle access, cooking equipment, linen and arrival arrangements. Town accommodation can provide restaurants and services, but may add a daily approach and entry payment to park outings. For four to seven nights, two or three well-chosen bases usually provide enough variety. Book popular dates and multi-day trails early, and verify current infrastructure notices before paying for a trail-dependent itinerary.
Garden Route mammals to look for
Forest mammals can remain hidden even beside a busy visitor route. Quiet walking, when permitted, and patient observation of edges are more useful than expecting open-savanna visibility. Otters and seals belong to suitable water and coastal settings, not every forest walk. Secure food against primates and avoid approaching an animal that appears accustomed to people.
Bushbuck
A medium-sized antelope that favours cover rather than open herds. Coat colour, striping and spotting vary across its range. Watch forest edges and quiet paths at first or last light; often only an ear or a brief movement betrays its presence.
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Blue duiker
This tiny forest antelope is more often a fleeting movement in shade than a prolonged sighting. Walk quietly on authorised paths and examine natural gaps in the undergrowth. A forest visit remains rewarding even when its shy mammals stay out of view.
Bushpig
A stocky forest and thicket pig with a coarse coat and contrasting face. Rooted ground may be easier to find than the animal itself. Keep clear of dense cover and follow camp rules after dark; do not confuse an unseen rustle with a safe opportunity to investigate.
Vervet monkey
A black face framed by pale fur contrasts with the grey-green body. Small groups use woodland, river edges and some camps. Alarm calls can alert other animals to danger. Keep snacks hidden and enjoy the troop’s behaviour without trying to attract it closer.
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Chacma baboon
A long muzzle and substantial build identify this southern African baboon. Troops forage widely and readily investigate unsecured food. Keep doors, windows and picnic bags closed; never feed an animal or display food to attract it for a photograph.
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Caracal
Long dark ear tufts and a plain tawny coat are the best clues to this secretive cat. It can remain hidden in low vegetation close to a road. An encounter is a bonus, not a routine expectation; give it space to continue moving naturally.
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Cape porcupine
Long black-and-white quills make a close view unmistakable, but this mainly nocturnal mammal is rarely obvious during an ordinary day visit. Notice feeding signs with a guide and keep a respectful distance. Never corner an animal or try to collect quills from it.
African clawless otter
A broad head and pale throat can be visible during a brief surfacing. Otters use suitable freshwater and coastal habitat, but sightings are unpredictable. Watch quietly from an existing path and avoid following an animal into reeds, rocks or a resting place.
Cape fur seal
A coastal mammal with external ear flaps and powerful foreflippers. Animals may be seen offshore or resting at suitable coastal sites. Use binoculars from authorised viewpoints, keep dogs away and never approach a seal on a beach, especially one that appears injured.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: mammal information · SANParks: mammal checklist. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Garden Route birds and habitat clues
Divide birding between forest canopy, wetland edges, estuary and rocky coast. Knysna turacos may be easier to locate by sound before they show clearly in foliage. Kingfishers need suitable water and patient observation; waders can be seasonal and tide-dependent. A quiet return to the same spot often reveals more than adding another distant stop.
Knysna turaco
Green plumage blends into a forest canopy until a short flight reveals bright crimson wing feathers. Listen for calls and scan fruiting trees from an authorised trail. Staying still at a natural opening can work better than following every sound into cover.
Half-collared kingfisher
A small blue kingfisher associated with suitable wooded waterways. It can sit quietly over water and be overlooked even at close range. Keep your distance from riverbanks and nesting holes; the right habitat improves your chances but does not guarantee a sighting.
Pied kingfisher
A black-and-white kingfisher often seen hovering above open water before a vertical plunge. Check wires, reeds and low perches near shore. Following its feeding pattern is a useful way to watch behaviour without approaching a nest bank.
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Malachite kingfisher
A tiny blue-and-orange bird that favours low perches beside water. It can disappear against reflections despite its bright colours. Scan patiently along reed edges with binoculars and remain on the permitted path or in the boat.
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African fish eagle
The white head and chest contrast with dark wings; its carrying call is a classic sound of African waterways. Scan exposed trees beside lakes and rivers. A bird returning to the same perch can offer better observation than following it in flight.
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African spoonbill
A white wading bird with a distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Adults show red bare facial skin and legs. Watch the sideways sweeping feeding action in shallow water and give birds room to use their preferred feeding edge as water levels change.
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Whimbrel
A long downcurved bill and striped crown help distinguish this visiting shorebird. Look along tidal feeding areas at a suitable stage of the tide. Use a hide or distant viewpoint rather than walking into a flock to examine bill shape.
African oystercatcher
An all-dark body, bright red bill and pinkish legs make this coastal bird distinctive. Search rocky shores and suitable beaches from established paths. Nesting pairs and young are easily disturbed; give resting birds a generous berth and obey seasonal beach restrictions.
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Cape cormorant
A dark coastal cormorant often seen commuting in groups or resting on rocks. An orange-yellow throat patch helps at closer viewing distances. Several cormorant species share the coast, so use binoculars and compare structure as well as colour.
Orange-breasted sunbird
The male’s vivid breast and metallic head are easiest to appreciate in good light; females are much quieter in colour. Flowering fynbos is the right habitat to inspect. Pause beside an existing path and watch natural feeding movements between blooms.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: bird information · SANParks: bird checklist. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Garden Route plants and habitats
Indigenous forest
Yellowwoods, stinkwood and other canopy trees create layered habitat with ferns, climbers and shaded ground vegetation. Use interpretation and a local guide for exact identification rather than assuming every large tree is the same species.
Forest margins
Where light reaches an edge, vegetation and bird activity change. Notice transitions along an authorised route without opening a new path into dense undergrowth.
Wetlands and estuaries
Water level, salinity and sheltered margins support different plant communities from the forest. These systems provide feeding and refuge habitat and require careful control of recreation.
Coastal fynbos
Exposed slopes support shrubs adapted to a different combination of wind, soil and fire. A coastal walk therefore complements a forest trail rather than repeating it.
Old trees and visitor access
Large named trees are valuable interpretation stops. Stay on boardwalks and marked routes, protect roots and never carve bark or collect forest material.
Plant identification may require leaves, flowers, fruit and a knowledgeable guide. Do not collect plants or leave authorised routes to inspect them.
What can you do in Garden Route?
Walk a suitable forest route
Ask for the current trail map and choose a distance suited to the whole group. Walk quietly, pause at habitat changes and allow time to return before reception or gate deadlines.
Explore the Storms River Mouth area
Use open managed visitor paths and check conditions for the specific walk. Bridges and coastal structures may have access restrictions, and operator excursions require separate booking.
Plan a wetland activity
Confirm permitted routes, equipment, launch arrangements and weather with the responsible provider. Keep clear of wildlife and avoid treating all waterways as open to every craft.
Add forest interpretation
Use a visitor centre or a named tree stop to understand the landscape beyond the photograph. The shared Plaatbos, Goesa and Big Tree permit offers a specific planning option, subject to its current conditions.
Choose a named short or half-day walk
At Wilderness, the combined Half-collared and Giant Kingfisher route is listed as a 7 km return outing, with a pontoon crossing that needs current operational confirmation. Around Diepwalle, the Elephant Trails offer separate marked forest circuits. At Storms River Mouth, compare the Mouth Trail to the suspension-bridge area with the 3.7 km Blue Duiker forest circuit. The coastal Waterfall Trail is a more strenuous 6 km return walk and needs tide and sea-condition advice. These are different outings with different demands; obtain the current route map and allow more time than a distance alone suggests.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: activities and booking guidance · SANParks: named walks and trail distances. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Rules and practical precautions
Follow current trail closures, rerouting and river-crossing instructions. Stay on designated paths, protect forest roots and leave plants and historical material in place. Secure food from primates and remove litter. Use water only in permitted areas and with appropriate current advice; waves, currents and river levels can make an apparently short outing demanding. Keep a reliable return plan and save essential arrival information offline.
Give wildlife space
Never feed, surround or block an animal. Keep food secure, voices low and movements predictable. Your guide or ranger’s instructions take priority over a desired photograph.
Prepare for the actual activity
Bring water, weather protection, suitable footwear and charged equipment. Tell the operator about relevant mobility or medical needs before booking so the route and support can be matched to you.
Official sources · checked 10 September 2026: SANParks: Garden Route National Park overview · SANParks: current visitor notices. Confirm arrangements for your travel date.
Garden Route travel FAQ
What are the main Garden Route National Park sections?
The principal planning areas are Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, with distinct forest, wetland and coastal visitor sites.
Is the wider Garden Route included in one park ticket?
No. The tourism region includes towns and separately operated attractions, and national-park sections have their own fee and permit arrangements.
What is the international Storms River Mouth fee?
For 1 November 2025–31 October 2026, SANParks lists R367 per adult and R183 per child aged 2–11 per day.
Can I start the Otter Trail without a booking?
No. Treat it as a separately booked multi-day trail and confirm all participation and reporting requirements with SANParks.
Is the Harkerville coastal trail unchanged?
No. The current official notice describes a closed coastal section and rerouting. Confirm and follow the authorised alternative.
How long should I spend in the park?
Allow four to seven nights across selected bases for a varied visit. With only two nights, concentrate on one section rather than rushing between all three.
Sources, method and review date
This guide combines official park information with editorial planning advice. Operational details were checked on 10 September 2026. Season descriptions are typical patterns; suggested stays are planning recommendations. Wildlife profiles support identification and do not promise sightings.
Wildlife and image references
Species names and identification photographs were checked against the linked records. Photographs are identification examples and may have been taken elsewhere. Each image carries its creator and licence credit.
Species reference links
Bushbuck · Blue duiker · Bushpig · Vervet monkey · Chacma baboon · Caracal · Cape porcupine · African clawless otter · Cape fur seal · Knysna turaco · Half-collared kingfisher · Pied kingfisher · Malachite kingfisher · African fish eagle · African spoonbill · Whimbrel · African oystercatcher · Cape cormorant · Orange-breasted sunbird