Proper name.

ONGOYE FOREST Guy Gibbon Ongoye Forest is situated about 150km north of Durban, just inland from Mtunzini. It is a large remnant patch of coastal forest, and stretches for about 20 km along a ridge of hills between Eshowe and Empangeni. The forest is quite beautiful, occurring in patches between granite outcrops and rolling grasslands. It is the only place to see Woodwards' Barbet in southern Africa. 1. Bird the forest by walking along the track (see below). The most activity is in the first 1 or 2km, and the Woodwards' Barbet is fairly common. Other specials include, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Cinnamon Dove. Emerald Cuckoo, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Yellowstreaked Bulbul, Spotted Ground Thrush, Brown Robin, Bluemantled Flycatcher, Green Twinspot and Longtailed Wagtail - there is a small weir on a stream about 2km into the forest. 2. A lookout point, at the top of the second rise and on your right, is where you can look for Delegorgue's Pigeons in the forest canopy and soaring raptors - Crowned Eagle, Blackbreasted Snake Eagle and Yellowbilled Kite. 3. On the way in or out, look for Striped Pipit and Plainbacked Pipit on the rocky outcrops, Blackrumped Buttonquail in the grasslands, and Pygmy Kingfisher nest holes in the road cuttings. Access: The forest is controlled by KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services. The regional office phone number is 0354 745020/1. The gates are open from 7am to 6pm, although an earlier time can be arranged. Entrance is R15 per vehicle and R7 per person. Directions: Turn off the N2 freeway at Mtunzini, head inland and take the old road north to Empangeni. About 4km north of the Forest Inn, turn left onto a dirt road, just before an old Shell Service station. Zero your tripmeter here. Follow this road for 4.5km and turn right onto D1554. Continue on this road to just past the Manzmnyama School, and at 8.9km turn right onto a small track. From here on you need a 4-wheel drive or vehicle with very good ground clearance. The gate into the forest is at 10.2km. Continue along the main track, going straight at the fork at the top of the hill (left fork), and at 12.8 km turn left onto an indistinct grassy track - the main track goes over the hill. You are now heading for the forest on your left. Stop at about 14km, before or just inside the main forest. From here on the road is really bad.