Fauna, Flora and Birding

Just Bee Retreat is nestled in the Steenkampsberg Mountains in the Middleveld, where the Highveld and Lowveld merge, an interesting area, wild and pristine, where the sheltering mountains and abundance of water ensure a healthy, diverse range of fauna and flora. This is part of the Kwena Basin Conservancy where conservation is of prime importance. The list of indigenous trees, shrubs, wild flowers and even orchids is extensive and diverse, a surprise when just at the top of the mountains one finds the grasslands of the Highveld.	Lady Bug
At Just Bee Retreat the trees grow old and huge and specimens of Yellowwood, 3 varieties of Kiepersol, African Holly estimated 6 hundred years old, White Stinkwood, Cape Chestnut, Fig trees, Proteas etc, can be found in the mountain forests. The grasses and flowers are also very varied from rare orchids to winter flowering mountain heather, agapanthus, Barberton daisies, giant aloes and many more. Surprises all year round, so much to enjoy! The bird species potentially occurring at Just Bee Retreat include a list of over 300 birds. The endangered Bald headed Ibis nest in the area and can be seen feeding in the fields while Black Eagles nest on the mountain crags and can be heard calling and occasionally have confrontations with the resident baboons.	Male Bushbuck
The many hiking trails take birders into the forests and up the mountains while in the valley there are wetlands and dams, which attract water birds and fowl. A bird list is available, please ask for one if you are interested. Some indigenous wild animals seen include hares, grey duiker, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, oribi, vervet monkeys, baboons, caracal, genets and African wild cats. Porcupine quills can be found on the footpaths and newly dug holes bear proof of the presence of the elusive and endangered aardvark. On the higher levels of the mountains where there is little human activity, evidence of wildlife is left in spoor tracks and even leopard spoor has been seen.	Dierama
GUESTS MUST PLEASE NEVER LEAVE FOOD OR RUBBISH UNATTENDED because wild animals are ATTRACTED BY FOOD and will become a PROBLEM (especially monkeys).