Hogsback is one of the top birding destinations in South Africa and can easily be reached with a domestic flight to Port Elizabeth, then a 3 hour drive.

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The most sought after bird here is the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) one of two subspecies of Cape Parrot.  The other subspecies, (Poicephalus fuscicollis) can be found in the Magoebaskloof area.  Cape Parrots are highly endangered and there are several people working hard in this area to try to save them.  Cape Parrot Project, World Parrot Trust.

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Hogsback has accommodation to suit every budget.  Since I have not yet been here (it’s on my 2015 Africa trip) I can’t recommend any particular eco-lodge but there is a good selection on this website.

There are several birding tour operators in the area and links can be found on Fat Birder.  You could try Aves or Graham Russell.  The whole area is rich in birdlife and species you will want to look for include:  Cape Parrot, Orange Ground Thrush, Bush Blackcap, Narina Trogon, Knysna Woodpecker, White Starred Robin, Olive Woodpecker, Chorister Robin-Chat, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler, Olive Bush-shrike, Cape Batis, African Emerald Cuckoo, Klaas’ Cuckoo, African Olive Pigeon, Red Chested Cuckoo, Brown Scrub Robin, Dark Backed Weaver,Drakensberg Prinia, Barrats Warbler, Dark Capped Yellow Warbler, Common Quail, Lazy Cisticola, Yellow Bishop, Red-necked Spurfowl, Thick-billed Weaver, Blue Crane, Grey Crowned Crane, Secretary Bird, Ground Woodpecker, Jackal Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Forest Buzzard, Long Crested Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Martial Eagle, Rufous Chested, Black and Little Sparrowhawks , Rock Kestrels, Amur Kestrels as well as Yellow Billed Kites,and more.

Birding guides in the Hogsback area are welcome to leave their contact details in the comments section of this post.