The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Barberspan Nature Reserve
Afrikaans name: Barberspan Natuur Reservaat
Barberspan Nature Reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
North West
Barberspan Nature Reserve is one of the largest sanctuaries for waterbirds in southern Africa. The pan covers 2,000 hectares and is home to many species of birds.
The pan is located 17 km from Delareyville on the N14. It is about a 3 hour drive to get there from Johannesburg.
The main attractions at Barberspan Nature Reserve are birding and fishing. Birders have built up a checklist of over 360 species over the years. This includes a number of birds that are not normally seen in the southern African region. Anglers will be hoping to catch Yellowfish, Carp and Barbel.
The accommodation options available at Barberspan are camp sites along the waters edge and 3 houses. There is not much in the way of other facilities.
Entrance to Barberspan Nature Reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Boardwalk to one of the hides
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Black-footed Cat
South African Hedgehog
Striped Polecat
Wild Cat
Birds of Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Cape Teal
Southern Pochard
Acacia Pied Barbet
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
White-rumped Swift
African Purple Swamphen
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Ruff
Black-winged Stilt
Grey Plover
Common Ringed Plover
Kittlitz's Plover
Chestnut-banded Plover
Grey-headed Gull
Caspian Tern
White-winged Tern
Lesser Kestrel
Rock Kestrel
Great Crested Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Yellow-billed Egret
Goliath Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Lesser Flamingo
Abdim's Stork
Brown-crowned Tchagra
Cape Crow
Greater Striped Swallow
South African Cliff-Swallow
Fairy Flycatcher
Lesser Swamp-Warbler
Willow Warbler
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Rattling Cisticola
Neddicky
Zitting Cisticola
Desert Cisticola
Cloud Cisticola
Black-chested Prinia
Spike-heeled Lark
Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark
Grey-backed Sparrowlark
Red-capped Lark
Pink-billed Lark
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Yellow-crowned Bishop
African Quailfinch
Red-headed Finch
Village Indigobird
Black-throated Canary
Yellow Canary
Lark-like Bunting
References and further reading
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 141The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng - Author: Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock - Published: 2008 - Page: 350
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 205
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 87
Go Birding in the Transvaal - Author: Brendan Ryan and John Isom - Published: 1990 - Page: 52
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 266
Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 19
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 14
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 134
For more info: Go Birding
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