Discover Derby

Derby and the nearby grassland route

When planning a stay in Derby, it is also worth exploring the surrounding area. The Derby Grassland Route runs east of the destination. Its sections pass through agricultural land and alongside a broad wetland. This gives the area a specific nature and birdwatching focus that you can consider in addition to your stay in Derby.

Farmland and grassland birds

For the first 4.5 km, the route runs east of Derby through extensive agricultural land. There, you can look out for more common grassland bird species. This section has a clear focus on open farmland and grassland birds. The sequence is useful for getting your bearings along the route: these areas come first, while after 6.2 km the route crosses a broad wetland. This allows you to distinguish between the different landscape features when planning a stay in the Derby area. This means that another 1.7 km of the route lies between the end of the section and the wetland.

Wetland through the seasons

After 6.2 km, the route crosses a broad wetland. This is a good place to stop and look out for Blue Cranes and Marsh Owl. Much of the wetland is usually dry in winter. In summer, it often holds water and can then provide habitat for waterbirds such as African Spoonbill and Yellow-billed Stork. This seasonal difference gives you a specific point to consider when planning: if you are interested in the possible waterbirds, the wetland, which often holds water, is a summer attraction; in winter, much of the area is usually dry. Bird presence may vary.

Summer birdwatching opportunities

The Derby Grassland Route can offer another birdwatching opportunity in summer: the Cuckoo Finch may be seen on fences and wires in the route area. Alongside the possible waterbirds at the wetland, which often holds water, this offers a comparison between two summer birdwatching opportunities in the route area. If you would like to watch birds, you can take these different opportunities into account when choosing when to travel; sightings are not guaranteed.

Roads in the area

The routes described around Derby run on public gravel and paved roads. The roads are regularly maintained; a small car is sufficient for the area. As road conditions can change over time, it is advisable to check their condition before setting out. This means you can consider the road types and vehicle size, as well as the landscape and season, when deciding whether to include the routes in your stay in Derby.

Discover more destinations: Swartruggens, Rustenburg, Matlhagame, Phokeng, Koster, Mmukubyane, Hartbeespoort, Mogwase.

Go to the regional travel overview: Bojanala Platinum.