Close to the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is an ecologically important Vultures View Hide that offers birders, photographers and nature lovers alike the special privilege to view and photograph a breeding colony of around 150 Cape Vultures. This is a golden opportunity to unobtrusively observe these magnificent birds as they feed, mate, nest and basically get on with their daily lives.
Although the Oribi Gorge colony consists of about 150 birds the outlying colonies from surrounding areas are also known to feed there. Keeping in mind that there are only about 8000 Cape Vultures left in the wild, the up to 1000 individual vultures feeding at this vulture restaurant are very significant and need to be protected.
The Hide was originally an initiative of the BirdLife Trogons Bird Club (that covers the area between Scottburgh and Port Edward) in conjuction with the land owner and UGU South Coast Tourism (Pty) Ltd. Starting as a small bird club project it soon turned into a full conservation initiative to create much needed awareness.
It was created in 2014 in memory of BirdLife Trogons Bird Club’s late chairman Barry Porter and also dedicated to the late Professor Steven Piper.
The original structure was made of wood but unfortunately burned down after 6 months. A donor, realizing the importance of this site, very generously stepped in and built the fire proof hide that is in use today.
The Hide project is a Non Profit Association run by volunteers. Funds received from bookings and contributions are considered donations and used for the upkeep of the Hide, the site and the vulture restaurant.
Please take note that the View Hide is not open to the public but it can be booked for a day or for several hours at a time by individuals, small groups and larger school groups. All visitors are escorted by volunteers that also act as guides to the Hide and the edge of the cliff for excellent viewing and photography opportunities.
Source: KZN Southcoast and Vulture Hide