Heritage View Birding Retreat

Heritage View Birding Retreat sits on the banks of Barberspan, an internationally recognised Ramsar wetland and one of South Africa's premier birding destinations, in the North West province. The water's edge and a bird hide are about 100 metres from the units, and more than 350 species have been recorded here.

Three self-catering units each have a private veranda looking over the garden and the pan. Osprey is a one-bedroom apartment with a queen bed, an open-plan living area with a sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen with induction plate, fridge, microwave and air fryer, and an en-suite shower. Fish Eagle is a rondavel for one or two with a queen bed, a kitchenette and study nook, and an en-suite bathroom with a bath. Mossie is an open-plan unit whose sleeping area can be made up as a king or two singles, with a sofa bed, dining table, kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and his-and-hers basins. Osprey and Fish Eagle interconnect through an internal door for families or groups travelling together.

Every unit has free wifi, secure parking and braai facilities with a complimentary bag of firewood. The hosts run guided birding tours of four hours in and around Barberspan Nature Reserve, walking and driving, with more than 70 species commonly recorded on a single outing.

Barberspan draws waders and shorebirds on migration, including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and flamingos; waterfowl such as African Darter, White-backed Duck and Southern Pochard; and raptors overhead, from African Fish Eagle and Black-shouldered Kite to Osprey and the occasional Martial Eagle.

The retreat is an easy stop off the N14 between Delareyville and Sannieshof, which makes it a practical overnight on the way to the Kgalagadi, Namibia or the West Coast.