The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Hans Merenski Nature Reserve
Afrikaans name: Hans Merensky Natuurreservaat
Hans Merenski Nature Reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Limpopo
The Hans Merenski Nature Reserve, which is 5,268 hectares in extent, is a great place to visit if you want to go walking, riding or driving in a nature reserve that features a wide variety of animal life. The reserve offers a 32 km hike that takes 3 days to do with accommodation in huts along the way.
Some of the bigger mammals that you may see include Hippo, Sable, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and Giraffe. There are occasional sightings of Spotted Hyena, Black-backed Jackal and even Leopard.
Birders will not be disappointed as the reserve is home to a wide variety of species throughout the year. Some of the specials include Arnot's Chat, Bennett's Woodpecker, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Southern White-crowned Shrike, Retz's Helmet Shrike and Thick-billed Cuckoo. Birders should make sure to spend some time doing the Letaba Trail.
There is a variety of accommodation available in the reserve including chalets, camp sites and a rustic camp.
Mammals of Hans Merenski Nature Reserve
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
Common Duiker
Honey Badger
Pangolin / Scaly Anteater
Striped Polecat
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
Birds of Hans Merenski Nature Reserve
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.
Comb Duck
Kurrichane Buttonquail
Greater Honeyguide
Bearded Woodpecker
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Common Scimitarbill
African Pygmy-Kingfisher
Striped Kingfisher
Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Red-chested Cuckoo
Black Cuckoo
African Cuckoo
White-rumped Swift
Barn Owl
Fiery-necked Nightjar
African Green-Pigeon
Black-bellied Bustard
Marsh Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
African Jacana
Dark Chanting Goshawk
Wahlberg's Eagle
Brubru
Black-crowned Tchagra
Brown-crowned Tchagra
Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike
White-crested Helmet-Shrike
Retz's Helmet-Shrike
Black Cuckooshrike
Grey Penduline-Tit
Terrestrial Brownbul
Willow Warbler
Rattling Cisticola
Neddicky
Yellow-breasted Apalis
Green-backed Camaroptera
Grey-backed Camaroptera
Stierling's Wren-Warbler
Flappet Lark
Kurrichane Thrush
Arnot's Chat
Violet-backed Starling
Red-headed Weaver
Jameson's Firefinch
References and further reading
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 120The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 97
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 186
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 59
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 267
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 31
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 75
Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 286
Go Birding in the Transvaal - Author: Brendan Ryan and John Isom - Published: 1990 - Page: 80
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 126
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 29
iInfo Tzaneen - Hans Merensky Nature Reserve
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