I stayed in Richard’s Bay for two nights and drove to Mtunzini and Dlindza Forest.
Mtunzini
Mtunzini is a beautiful little village.
I saw quite a few male Violet-backed Starlings on a lawn.
I drove down to the Umlalazi Reserve. As I got out of my car at the entrance I heard a call that I recognised immediately. I scanned the trees above my head. It wasn’t the same quality sighting as the first one, but I was verry happy to find a Narina Trogon on my own!
The view at the beach was stunning- it was wonderful to see blue skies for a change!
I drove into the camp site and saw about 6 Red Duikers. They are so cute!
As I drove along the lagoon I saw a very new-looking baby Vervet Monkey I also saw a few East African Mangrove Crabs.
My main reason for visiting Mtunzini was in search of another lifer – in the form of a Palm-nut Vulture. Despite searching for a couple of hours in the morning, I did not see one. I left, feeling a little disappointent.
On my way back from Dlindza I decided to try again. Again I searched for a while. Just as I was about to give up, I saw a bird flying towards the ocean. He was far, but unmistakable – the Palm0nut Vulture I had been looking for!. It was by no means a great sighting, but I was happy to tick the bird.
As I drove past Mtunzini the next morning on my way to my last destination, I considered stopping at Mtunzini to see if I can get a better sighting. But it was early and very overcast, and I thought the chances of seeing one would be slim. I decided to continue on.
Just a few minutes after the Mtunzini turn off, something caught my eye. Perched on a tree not too far from the road was a Palm-nut Vulture! I could not believe it. I slammed on brakes. The light was really not great for photos, but I I really enjoyed this sighting and sat in my car watching this beautiful bird until it flew off.
I had to smile. As is the case with so many wildlife sightings, timing is everything. If I had turned off at Mtunzini, I may have seen a vulture or I may not. But I definitely would not have seen this bird. As I drove away, there was a huge smile on my face!
Dlindza Forest
The Dlindza Forest is one of the most beautiful places. At the entrance to the boardwalk is a Wild Plum tree that is estimated to be more than 500 years old.
The boardwalk is about 10m above the ground. At the end of the boardwalk is a viewing platform with a stunning view.
After my walk on the boardwalk, I went for a walk in the forest. I would walk a few steps, then stop. I would look and listen. I walked slowly, almost afraid to make a sound – making a noise felt like sacrilege.
I found another Wild Plum – not as old as the first one, but impressive none the less. I hugged its cool, rough bark. I thought of the stories it could tell, the things it had seen, It was an amazing creature.
There were other trees with interesting shapes.
I could hear birds in the canopy, but only saw the Purple-crested Turacos. On the ground I saw a Spotted Ground Thrush. But it was the smaller creatures that caught my attention.
There were a few Common Bush Browns.
I came to a little stream crossing the path. There was a little Mantid having a meal, a Jumping Spider, and a few small Fishing Spiders.
I walked into a spiderweb. I was so happy, because it belonged to this gorgeous Kite Spider.
While I returned this beauty to a plant, I saw another Box Kite Spider.
Another cute arachnid was this Asemonea sp. Jumping spider.
Dlindza Forest is also home to some of the most interesting fungi I have ever seen. Hopefully I will be able to identify them all at some stage.
When light filtered down through the canopy, it just up everything in the most spectacular way.
As I walked to my car I saw some Common Dotted Fruit Chafers making some baby Common Dotted Fruit Chafers.
I also saw a few Variable Skinks.
Dlindze Forest is another one of the great places I have visited during this amazing year. There is something about walking in a forest that is really special. I always feel as if there could be some fairy tale creatures hiding around me. It is definitely a place that I will have to visit again.
Stanger
My last sleep over destination was near Nottingham Road in the KZN Midlands. I left Richard’s Bay early on Thursday morning. I stopped at the SAPPI Bird hide near Kwadukuza. I used to travel to Umhlanga regularly a few years ago, and managed to visit this hide once or twice. It was nice to be back.
As I approached the area, I saw three Grey-crowned Cranes. What a special sighting!
Before going into the hide, I walked around to the other side of the water. An African Harrier Hawk flew past. 
Another visitor mentioned that there were Painted Snipes around – I spotted them, but they were rather far away. Eventually one came closer and made my day. I hadn’t seen these birds in a while, and this was a wonderful sighting.
I eventually made my way to the hide. As always there were many African Jacanas, and they were forever chasing each other around.
It was lovely to see an African Swamphen.
A little flash of blue caught my attention. A little Malachite Kingfisher was hunting far away.
Other birds I photographed included Spur-winged Geese, White-breasted Cormorants and African Darters.
I spent a pleasant 2 hours at the hide, and listed 51 species. As ever the hide delivered as expected.
KZN Midlands
From Stanger I navigated the traffic and roadworks around Durban and made my way to the guesthouse I would be staying in near Nottingham Road. Just outside Howick I drove past a historical site and decided to explore this site..
After buying my ticket, I took a walk through the museum.
The museum consisted of a timeline of the history of South Africa since Nelson Mandela was born. It contained memorabilia, newspaper articles and quotes from various people. It also contained quotes from the great man himself.
At the exit of the museum was a mural of Nelson Mandela made entirely of tiny beads. It is quite a work of art.
When I left the museum I walked down to the monument. I wondered if the long pathway to the monument represented the Long Walk to Freedom. 
At first glance the monument doesn’t look like much – just a number of metal poles planted in the ground.
But then you change the angle at which you look at it, and it all makes sense.
I left the site deep in thought, reflecting on our country’s history.
When I arrived at the guest house it was really hot, and I was able to put on shorts for the first time this entire trip! There was a little stream flowing past the property, and I decided to drive down and see what birds I could find. There was a little pond with beautiful lilies.
I spotted a Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Amethyst and Malachite Sunbirds, Canaries and this little surprise – a Half-collared Kingfisher.
At the gate to the property I saw a Jackal Buzzard and in the garden an Olive Thrush was looking for food for its chicks.
When I arrived the weather was fantastic, and so was the view.
But when I came back from my short drive, things had changed quite dramatically.
I had a fantastic supper at the guesthouse’s restaurant, and then went to my room where I lit a fire because it was all of a sudden freezing.
The breakfast the next morning was even better than supper, and soon I was on my way home.
The weather during the trip may not have been great, but the trip itself, and the birding was exceptional.
It was a trip I would love to repeat at some stage.