Tides Lodge - Breede River, Overberg, Swellendam, Malgas, Cape Town holiday fishing lodge fishing birdwatching accommodation

Bird Watching

The Overberg has a number of different eco-systems and offers enthusiasts an opportunity of birding in mountain, coastal, river and estuarine habitats. Tides Lodge is centrally situated for exploring the overberg region and its associated bird life.

The Fynbos Birding Experience
The cape floral kingdom with 9000 plant species (almost 70% of which are endemic) ranks among the wonders of the natural world. The bird species attracted by its best known vegetation type, Fynbos "fine bush" cab be relatively easily found around the Overberg.

Several estuaries give birders direct access to a variety of water birds. Two significant locations are the Breede River and De Hoop Vlei. All three Grebes are often encountered and Flamingo's and Pelicans move through the region. Substantial numbers of Herons, Egrets and Ralians plus a diversity of Ducks and Teals are usually found. Ospreys are often seen in summer.

The Overberg is Crane Country and it is not unusual to come across flocks of several hundred. The area around Arniston, Bredasdorp and L'Agulhas also hosts growing numbers of resident White Storks. Other species include Denham's Bustard, Capped Wheateater, Agulhas Long-Billed Lark, Agulhas Clapper Lark and the Black Harrier.

The most southern breeding colony of Cape Vultures is at Potberg in De Hoop while other raptors such as the African Goshawk, Forest Buzzard and Black and Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk are fairly common throughout the Overberg. In summer large numbers of Lesser Kestrel and Steppe Buzzards occur.

Fishing

The Breede River is recognised as one of the best fishing estuaries in South Africa. Tidal action reaches 60km upstream supporting a rich diversity of fish and birdlife.

Fishing can be enjoyed year round in the waters of San Sebastian Bay and the Breede River Estuary. The area offers the opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish. You have the choice of River Fishing , Rock and Surf Fishing, Inshore Game Fishing.

One can expect to catch Spotted Grunter, Cob, Steenbras, Leervis, Shad and Barbel in the river and Kabejou, Cape Salmon (Geelbek), White and Red Stumpnose and Red Roman at sea.