Barbarspan Bird Sanctuary

parks and reserves

Barbarspan Bird Sanctuary

“One of the largest waterfowl sanctuaries in Southern Africa”

Contact Office:

Tel: +27 (0)78 536 0561 / 087 151 1770
Fax: 086 524 0873/086 505 7310

E-mail: barbersp@lantic.net

Park Manager: Sampie van der Merwe
Cell: +27 (0)82 443 9777

Postal Address:
PO Box 743, Delareyville, 2770

Click to download the Barberspan brochure

The Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is a huge 2000 ha body of water located between Delareyville and Sannieshof. The Reserve is a pioneer in ornithological research. Bird Life South Africa has declared it an important national birding site.

Given then that it is also a RAMSAR Convention-accredited wetland of international importance for migratory birds and waterfowl, it is well worth a visit.

Tariffs

Adults	R35,00
Juveniles	R15,00
Pensioners	R15,00
Angling	R20,00 per person per day (Only Angler pays this fee – includes children) + gate entrance fee
Angling Competitions	R500,00 payable by the organiser + gate entrance fees per person
Camping – along angling shoreline	R50.00 per site per night, (max 6 people per site) + Entrance Fee. No Electricity, four small ablution blocks with cold water, every three km along shore. Only showers, toilets, washbasins.
Camping/ Caravans – northern side of reserve in birding area	R80.00 per site per night [max 6 people per site] + Entrance fee. Ablution Block with Showers and warm water.Situated near to guest houses.
Lapa	R 20.00 per person, for day use only, out by 17h00.
Guest Houses	R80,00 per person per night + gate entrance (Flamingo house sleeps 6, Pelican house sleeps 8 people). Furnished, Self-catering. Please bring our own cutlery and crockery and and bedding. Well equipped with fridge, stove and electric kettle.

One of the self catering houses in Barberspan Bird Sanctuary

Barberspan Bird Sanctuary - Photo by Linx Africa

Accommodation

Accommodation is on a self-catering basis in of two houses sleeping 6 and 8 people, respectively. Each house is equipped with a bathroom and separate toilets, the smaller house also has a shower in the bathroom, electricity, a fridge, stove, furniture, beds with mattresses, and an outdoor braai facility. Bring own bedding, pots, crockery and cutlery.

Weavers Nest is a large house with 3 and a half bathrooms, sleeping 16-20 people, equipped with a stove, table, chairs, beds an mattresses. There is an outdoor lapa for braais. Wood is available, bring own bedding.

Camping sites along the angling shore and a camp site on the northern side of the reserve are also available.

Location

To reach Barberspan take any number of routes to Delareyville. The pans are located 17 km north west of Delareyville on the N14 to Sannieshof, 307 km from Johannesburg or an easy 3 hour drive.

Infrastructure

Roads are suitable for all vehicles. No power boats are permitted on the pans. Canoes and rowing boats are restricted to the southern sector. A number of enterprising bird clubs have sponsored bird hides which will be strategically positioned for the enjoyment of all. Barberspan hosts several important regional and national angling competitions.

General

The pans, which are fed intermittently by the Harts River, are an important drought refuge for waterfowl which arrive in numbers from the surrounding pans to wait out the dry season. Barberspan and the adjacent Leeupan, connected by a shallow channel, are over 4 000 ha in extent comprising shallow alkaline waters ideally suited to the many species which favour such conditions. The area around Barberspan is undulating grassland and agricultural land, leaving the pans largely undisturbed. Certain areas on the pans are designated for anglers to enjoy excellent fishing opportunities for carp, barbel and yellowfish. Boating opportunities are offered and a number of photographers hides are available.

Bird-life

The Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is probably unique in South Africa, and indeed the world, for the sheer numbers and variety of birds to be seen on the pans.

365 species have been recorded, including a number of rare migrants, making Barberspan an essential stopover for all birders.

Pelicans and flamingo, grebes, terns, herons, cranes, ibis and bitterns to mention just a few. All but one of the South African duck species have been recorded at the pans.