Located at approximately 33°33â17.0âłS 21°07â51.0âłE, Buffelsdrift Conservancy is a 1,600 hectare privately-owned cluster of properties, guided by a land use policy intended to preserve the indigenous flora and fauna of the area. The conservancy has invested in small herds of hartebeeste, springbok and zebras and hopes to introduce other species in the future.
For people driving through the Conservancy (please adhere to the speed limit of 40 km/hr) there are some lovely spots to stop and watch birds while listening to the wind in the reeds.
The Dam is on the eastern end of the road through the Conservancy. It attracts many waders and waterfowl when it is half full. During drought, when the dam is empty, you can still see Water Dikkops, Brownhooded Kingfishers and many butterflies.
The Drift crosses the confluence of the Swartberg and Groot Rivers. The remains of the railway bridge demolished by flood waters in the 1981 Laingsberg Floods are visible on the western corner. The reeds are home to many swallow species in the summer, and you can listen to various warblers carolling on a fine day. River crabs patrol the concrete slab below the bridge.
The weir holds back a large reed-fringed dam that stays full even in times of drought. Keep a look out for river crabs and African Fish Eagles. On the opposite side of the road is a magnificent example of Cape Fold Mountains patrolled by African Black Eagles.
This Drift is hemmed in by reeds so the experience is more aural than visual, but you will be rewarded by songs of various reed warblers, Southern Tchagra, Pale Chanting Goshawk and Southern Boubou.
Below are the links to observations made in the Conservancy that have been posted on iNaturalist. Consider joining iNaturalist yourself and adding your own observations.
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