Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, South Africa
Barberspan Bird Sanctuary, a pioneer in ornithological research, is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in South Africa. Over 350 bird species, including pelican, flamingo, grebe, tern, heron, crane, ibis, and bitten, wait out the dry season at this conservation area's more than 2000 hectares of wetlands. Fish for carp, barbell and yellowfish. Paddle, if you bring your own canoe. Spy on nature from a hide. And, of course, enjoy bird watching with kids. Fed intermittently by the Harts River, Barberspan is the only permanent waterhole in an area of seasonal pans and vleis making it an ideal outdoor destination for families.
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History & Culture
Learn more about the history and culture of the North West Province before you make the trek with kids. Read about the conflicts between the Tswana and Ndebele peoples before the arrival of the Europeans. Find out the role region played in wartime. Discover the culture of the BaTswana people and learn a word or two in SeTswana.
History of the North West Province
North West Parks and Tourism Board People of the North West North West Parks and Tourism Board Maps
Maps are a great way to get the kids involved in family vacation planning. Use online maps of the North West Province to locate a city, street or attraction and plot a route to a desired family travel destination. What's more, online maps are great tools for studying South Africa's political geography in detail.
Books
Books are a great way to introduce younger children to a new adventure and get teens and tweens ready for a family trip. Find bird field guides and get recommended readings lists for adults and kids and learn more about South Africa as well as the birds and animals that make their home here.
International Field Guides
University Library at Unv of Ill Urbana Champaign Reading Lists kids can travel recommends  Music & Sound
Music is a great way to introduce children to a local culture and embark on a journey through sound. Listen to bird sounds and bird songs online. Learn to identify birdcalls before you depart on a birdwatching trip. How many can you identify?
News
Read South African news online and brush up on South African current events from politics to economics and sports to entertainment. Discover what South Africans are reading.
Kids' stuff
Online resources make learning fun. Learn about conservation and wildlife. Get animal news. Play wildlife games online. Test your knowledge before you depart and again when you return. Find a birding checklist, print it out and check off all the species you see. And to make your trip to Barberspan that much more fun, hold a competition to see who spots more.
Conservation and Wildlife for Kids
Kids' Planet Kids go Wild Birding Checklist North West Parks and Tourism Board Organizations
Associations and non-profit organizations can be a valuable resource as well as means to get involved. Wildlife conservation may be the principle focus of non-profit organizations in South Africa but it is not the only. Find out more about a few of the organizations involved in conservation matters ranging from South Africa's marine and animal life to cultural and natural treasures and the environment.
Wildlife Conservation and the Environment
Endangered Wildlife Trust Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa BirdLife South Africa World Heritage Sites UNESCO World Heritage Centre |
