The N3 Toll Concession provides an essential highway between the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The N3 highway passes through the Free State province and with successful birding routes having been developed in the Gauteng and Southern KwaZulul-Natal regions, the N3 Toll Concession recognised the need for development in the birding routes and ecotourism market.

The Memel district, situated in the north-eastern Free State where it borders Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, is characterised by varied landscapes from undulating grassy hills to rock-strewn hillsides and sheltered forests. It also includes the extensive Seekoeivlei Wetland, a RAMSAR site contained in the Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve.

However, there is so much more for birders in the Free State. These include areas such as the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the Koppies Dam Nature Reserve which provides suitable habitat for many different species of waterbird and the Sandveld Nature Reserve which comprises a range of habitats, particularly Kalahari Thornveld.

BirdLife South Africa would like to involve bird clubs and other interest groups in the Free State area in the development of the Free State Birding Route.

Anyone who would like to assist with birding site write-ups, please contact Nikki McCartney on 083 636 1060 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it