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In summer the level can vary from day to day, so I would find out the day before.

Thanks for the quick reponses re my query about crossing the weir.
I have worked out a few possible routes in case of rain and no matter which route I take there is a plus: e.g. rain means that I simply add Gardenia hide as an extra on the detour. I win no matter what!

Earlier this year I noticed that the water takes quite a while to come down the Shingwedzi river after a storm, but once it starts coming that low water bridge quickly became too deep for my sedan. (The plus to this was the horde of birds that arrived to feed on the fish crossing the bridge in the few inches of water.) I assume the same will be true of Biyamiti? That the water takes a little while to come but when it does the road can in the matter of less than an hour become impassable (or is that unfordable?).

I know I have five months to wait to get to Biyamiti but it will be my first stay there. I really cannot wait. I will be flying my yellow ribbon.

I need some help.

I will be visiting KNP for 4 days from 18 Dec. I will be staying in Berg en Dal and would like some advice on spots for bird photography. I have heard and read a lot on this forum about Biyamiti weir but I am not sure if you can access it if you are not staying at Biyamiti. I see the road leading to the camp (both sides) has a no entry sign on.

Any other worthwhile spots? How is Gardena hide? Hippo pools?

Thank you very much.

Thanks

Hi Tobieo,

You have been given good advice.

Lawrence is correct. Pass the private Biyamiti road and then you descend into the weir. Continue for possible leopard sightings.

At this time of the year, birding is good. Keep an eye out for the carmine bee-eaters. They might have made it south by then.

Good luck, and I want a CBE pic please!

You may find you cannot drive through the weir



And there again you may also be lucky enough to see the resident leopard





Enjoy whatever you are lucky enough to see there though!

Yes, it has been prone to flooding the past few years and in fact has at times had to have quite extensive repairs done.
Hopefully this will not be the case and you will be able to get in some birding Tobieo.

Stunning Leopard pic Penny!

The pull out on the South side of the Biyamiti weir can be a great place to have coffee and rusks, while the Eles, Rhino and Hippo do there thing. There are some juv Fish Eagles playing around there two (well were in early Nov).
Do drive very very slowly across the weir, looking both sides, lots of birds in there. Kingfishers can be at eye level on the upper side; posing for incredible pics.

Which side does the Leopard tend to frequent? - never been lucky on that.

Hi there Tobieo

I do hope that you have a really stunning stay.

In the book, "Best Birding in Kruger" by Brett Hilton Barber and Lou Arthur, they recommend Biyimati Weir. They also recommend in the South West:
Thlalabye hill, (close to Berg n Dal).
Matjulu water hole.
Afsaal
Jozekhulu drift
Mtomeni Drift, one of my favourite spots.
Ship Mountain. I have had lovely Goshawk sightings there.
Pretorius Kop. stunning around the pool area if you ever need to cool down.
Shilehave dam.
Napi Boulders.
Shabeni loop
Mestrel dam
Transport dam.

I have had the most productive raptor drives on the S3.

The best birding spots in the south-east are given as:
Croc Bridge camp
Lower Sabie Camp
Sunset dam
Mlondozi dam
Hippo pools
Mpondo dam
Siyalu hill
Gardenia bird hide.

I am giving these lists just in case you want to find a few other places. Certain places like Lake Panic can get rather busy at this time of the year.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

We have seen leopard on both sides of the weir - if you are staying at Biyamiti you can get there really early in the morning.

If the croc that takes up residence in the river directly behind the weir is there is affords excellent photo opportunities as it is at eye level as are the water lilies and birds!

each time (several time) I saw the Leopard on the Biyamiti side
in February, the two Fisch Eagles was here, so majestic, just above the car

It was destroyed in the flood. I have heard that it is back up? Is this true?
It looks a magical spot to sit

cheetah 2111, it's back and live again , the s23 is suddenly one of the best roads for leopard sighting's .a week ago good results.Presently some nice tuskers also along the road.

Thanks Dup

We have just had an unusual sighting on the rocks below the weir of a blacksmith plover killing another plover! It was horrible to see as the poor bird struggled to get away while it was being pecked to death- we first thought they were mating until we realized it was a death struggle. I will post a photo when I get. Back home.