Paarl Mountain Reserve

According to Paarl Online, you can Enjoy the picturesque landscape of fynbos vegetation dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations set among wild olives, rock candlewoods and wagon trees. Take a vigorous hike, or climb Bretagne Rock, follow one of the many hiking trails, visit Millwater Wild Flower Garden where 15 species of protea may be viewed, catch a bass at Nantesdam or enjoy mountain biking or picnics. Fishing permits available at Paarl Municipality.

The Paarl Mountain Reserve is open on all public holidays. Entrance fee is R45.00 per vehicle plus R15.00 per occupant. A brochure can be bought at the gate, with a map of the reserve, at R30.00. There are no entrance fee wen you go during a normal weekday.

Both a Provincial Angling Licence (obtainable from CapeNature +27 (0) 21 87 11 535 or the Post Office) as well as a Fishing Permit (obtainable from Drakenstein Municipal offices 08h00-17h00 or at the main gate over weekends/public holidays) are required. Weekly permits are R30.00 and an annual permit R70.00. 

Directions

As you enter Paarl Main Street via the N1 from CT, take the Taalmonument turn off (Gabemma Road) and follow the road past the Amphi theatre, past the picnic area on the mountain until you find the sign and turn off to the reserve.

According to South African Birding,

The Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve comprising 1910 ha falls under the control of the Paarl Municipality and offers a variety of birding opportunities to visitors. The picturesque landscape is dominated by fynbos vegetation and rounded granite outcrops. Together with species associated with the surrounding fynbos vegetation, the mountain attracts a number of species associated with the drier western and moister eastern regions.

The Nature Reserve is open daily from 07:00 - 18:00 during winter & 07:00 - 19:00 in summer.

Specials

Protea Seedeater, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Karoo Scrub-Robin.

Habitat

Paarl Mountain is covered predominantly by fynbos, interspersed with densely vegetated granitic outcrops and riverine valleys on the southern and eastern slopes.

Facilities

The reserve consists of a network of gravel roads and paths. The roads and paths are dotted with numerous picnic spots and viewpoints. A picnic spot is also present at the Wildflower garden.

Birding

The Wildflower garden is a good place to find a variety of the commoner species such as Cape Bulbul, Bar-throated Apalis, Karoo Prinia, African Dusky Flycatcher, Cape Batis, Southern Boubou, Cape Sugarbird, Malachite Sunbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Siskin and Brimstone Canary. The garden is also home to the elusive Protea Seedeater, which should not be confused with the similar Streaky-headed Seedeater, which is also present. Check the drier vegetation on the northern side of the garden for the inquisitive Karoo Scrub-Robin.

In the reserve itself one can expect to see species such as Neddicky, Acacia Pied Barbet, Cape Spurfowl, Grey-backed Cisticola, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Cape Bulbul, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Grassbird, Speckled Mousebird, Ground Woodpecker and Cape Rock-Thrush. The various dams hold African Black Duck and Giant Kingfisher. Keep a check on the skies above for Alpine Swift and African Black Swift as well as Greater Striped Swallow (summer).
The fringes of the forested valleys on the southern and eastern sides of the mountain are an excellent place to look for the Protea Seedeater as well as a number of other species including Fiscal Flycatcher, African Olive-Pigeon, Swee Waxbill, Black Saw-wing and Klaas's Cuckoo. More unusual visitors to this part of the reserve include Brown-backed Honeybird and Grey Tit. Within the forested valleys and more densely vegetated areas, you can hope to see Cape Batis, Red-chested Cuckoo (summer), African Paradise-Flycatcher (summer), African Dusky Flycatcher and Southern Boubou. Although recorded infrequently, birders spending time in the thicker riverine vegetation might be lucky enough to see birds such as Olive Bush-Shrike, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher and Knysna Woodpecker.
Birds of prey recorded on the mountain include Verreauxs' Eagle, Booted Eagle (mostly summer), Peregrine Falcon, African Goshawk, Black Sparrowhawk, African Harrier-Hawk, Steppe Buzzard (summer) and Jackal Buzzard.

The mountain can be accessed from various places, the easiest of which is from the main road in Paarl. Take the N1 from Cape Town and travel approximately 60km and then take the first turn-off into the town of Paarl (R45). Travel along this road and shortly after the KWV buildings on the right, look for a signpost towards the Jan Phillips Drive on the left. Take the Jan Phillips Drive on the left. Follow the road up the mountain until a T-junction where one turns right towards the Flower garden. Entrance to the mountain Reserve is a short distance past the garden. Alternatively, form the main road, one could head towards the Language Monument and then take a small gravel road to the right shortly before the monument. A small fee is required for entrance to the mountain Reserve.

My personal list of birds photographed at the Paarl Mountain Reserve is: Reed Cormorant, Jackal Buzzard, Cape Spurfowl, African Olive Pigeon, Greater Striped Swallow, Pied Crow, Cape Bulbul, Olive Trush, Neddicky, Karoo Prinea, African Dusky Flycatcher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Common Fiscal, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-Breasted Sunbird, Souther Double-Collared Sunbird, Yellow Bishop, Cape Canary and Yellow Canary.

Cape Spurfowl

Karoo Prinia

Fiscal Flycatcher

Cape Sugarbird

My personal experience at Paarl Mountain Reserve is that the birding there is not as excellent as one would have hoped for, but still worth a visit. The beauty of the area, and especially the drive there are really WOW. At many spots there are the most amazing views over the beautiful town of Paarl. Just walking around at the picnic areas and the indigenous garden is worth it, but there are the options of a few other more laborious walks if you preferred. There are picnic areas there, but no real facilities with regards to shops or restaurants. I felt safe walking there, but you could be alone there if you go in quiet times such as weekdays outside holiday periods. I give Paarl Mountain Reserve a C overall, since birding was slightly disappointing, facilities was okay, but beauty and hiking is very good.