Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?

Red Lark

What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?

Platbakkies Farm Retreat, since 2018

How best to travel to your lodge?

With an SUV or pick-up truck with enough ground clearance, no 4×4 needed

Stark’s Lark

What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?

Guided tours, tracks & trails

What makes your lodge special?

It is in the semi-desert area of Namaqualand and the home of the endemic Red Lark

Karoo Prinia

What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?

• Red Lark
• Namaqua Warbler
• Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
• Cape Penduline Tit
• Spotted Thick-knee
• Dusky Sunbird
• Black-eared Sparrow-Lark
• Black-chested Snake Eagle
• Namaqua Sandgrouse
• Karoo Scrub Robin
• Karoo Prinia
• Spotted Eagle Owl
• Stark’s Lark
• Spike-heeled Lark
• Southern Black Korhaan
• Northern Black Korhaan
• Karoo Korhaan
• Black Harrier
• Karoo Eremomela
• Verreaux’s Eagle
• Booted Eagle
• Karoo Chat
• Jackal Buzzard
• Ludwig Bustard

Spotted Eagle Owl

What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?

• Autumn and spring – great weather, good time for birding

• July to September – spectacular flowers in our region

Ludwig’s Bustard

Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.

We have a Wild Camp, our own conservation area, where no farm activities take place due to rare succulents, endemic fauna and flora

Namaqua Sandgrouse

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?

You need a car with enough ground clearance to travel on gravel and farm roads to reach the best birding spots

Booted Eagle

Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.

• Cycling/hiking/walking trails

• A Day with the Farmer – activity

• Library, board games

Karoo Eremomela

If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?www.platbakkies.co.za or [email protected]

Cape Penduline Tit

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?

We offer bird guiding tours especially for birders visiting our farm.

Karoo Korhaan