ZA078
Olifants river estuary


Country/territory: South Africa

IBA criteria met: A3, A4i (1998)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 6,330 ha

BirdLife South Africa
IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2014 near favourable high low
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site summary
The Olifants River Estuary lies approximately 250 km northwest of Cape Town; it is one of only four perennial estuaries on the west coast of southern Africa. The catchment lies within a winter rainfall area and during winter freshwater flow is strong. Approximately 125 bird species have been recorded at the estuary and its environs; at least 60 of these are waterbirds. The Olifants River Estuary regularly supports over 15 000 waterbirds.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Olifants river estuary (South Africa). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/olifants-river-estuary-iba-south-africa on 23/11/2024.