12. UPATA RANCHES
(28 kms from Melmoth Post Office)
Permission is required from Paul Smith (082 4923314)
From Melmoth, travel north on the R66 towards Ulundi for 27 kilometers. One kilometer beyond the Ulundi turn-off, turn left into Upata Ranches. Here a variety of thornveld birds can be seen. Specials to look for include Bushveld Pipit, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Crested Francolin, Wattled Plover, Red-breasted Swallow, Wahlberg's Eagle and Brown Snake Eagle.