Nestled in the heart of Zululand is Umfolozi River Lodge, an affordable and comfortable lodge near Mtubatuba. Half an hour from St Lucia and Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, there are many birding opportunities in the area. The lodge has a short forest trail, and a few mornings before breakfast yielded over 40 bird species (list at end).
List of birds recorded at Umfolozi River Lodge, 29-31 July 2019
| Species | Latin |
| Hadeda Ibis | Bostrychia hagedash |
| African Spoonbill | Platalea alba (many flying over) |
| Long-crested Eagle | Lophaetus occipitalis |
| African Fish-Eagle | Haliaeetus vocifer (heard) |
| Red-eyed Dove | Streptopelia semitorquata |
| Purple-crested Turaco | Gallirex porphyreolophus |
| Fiery-necked Nightjar | Caprimulgus pectoralis(heard) |
| African Palm-Swift | Cypsiurus parvus |
| Speckled Mousebird | Colius striatus |
| Red-faced Mousebird | Urocolius indicus |
| Brown-hooded Kingfisher | Halcyon albiventris |
| White-fronted Bee-eater | Merops bullockoides |
| Black-collared Barbet | Lybius torquatus |
| White-eared Barbet | Stactolaema leucotis |
| Red-fronted Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus pusillus |
| Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus bilineatus |
| Crested Barbet | Trachyphonus vaillantii |
| Lesser Honeyguide | Indicator minor |
| Lesser Striped Swallow | Hirundo abyssinica |
| Black Saw-wing | Psalidoprocne holomelaena |
| Black-headed Oriole | Oriolus larvatus |
| Dark-capped Bulbul | Pycnonotus tricolor |
| Terrestrial Brownbul | Phyllastrephus terrestris |
| Yellow-bellied Greenbul | Chlorocichla flaviventris |
| Sombre Greenbul | Andropadus importunus |
| White-throated Robin-Chat | Cossypha humeralis |
| Green-backed Camaroptera | Camaroptera brachyura |
| Tawny-flanked Prinia | Prinia subflava |
| African Dusky Flycatcher | Muscicapa adusta |
| Black-throated Wattle-eye | Platysteira peltata |
| African Paradise-Flycatcher | Terpsiphone viridis |
| Cape Wagtail | Motacilla capensis |
| Black-bellied Starling | Lamprotornis corruscus |
| Purple-banded Sunbird | Cinnyris bifasciatus |
| Olive Sunbird | Cyanomitra olivacea |
| Amethyst Sunbird | Chalcomitra amethystina |
| Scarlet-chested Sunbird | Chalcomitra senegalensis |
| Spectacled Weaver | Ploceus ocularis |
| Lesser Masked Weaver | Ploceus intermedius |
| Village Weaver | Ploceus cucullatus |
| Yellow Weaver | Ploceus subaureus |
| Bronze Mannikin | Spermestes cucullatus |
| Yellow-fronted Canary | Crithagra mozambicus |
| Cape White-eye | Zosterops virens |
Thanks to the River Lodge for a pleasant stay, and to Sheila for for helping with the birds list!
If you would like a bird guide to see birds in Zululand, contact Dieter / Birds4Africa!
