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A pink parade
Kimberley's flamingos
The flamingos of Kimberley at Kamfers Dam.
© Chris Marais
Did you know?
Kamfers Dam is 1 of only 4 locations in Africa where the Lesser Flamingo breeds.
The flamingos of Kimberley's Kamfers Dam are a spectacularly memorable sight, even if you're not a serious birder.
Kamfers Dam is a permanent wetland just minutes by road from the iconic old diamond mining town of Kimberley. Some years there are around 20 000 birds at the dam; but sometimes the population can rocket up to 50 000 birds and more.
The lesser flamingos flock to this dam because it has an abundance of algae, the favoured food of these filter-feeders. Apparently the amount of algae in the dam has been put at 750 000kg. The problem was – would they, could they – breed here? Their continued existence at the dam depended on successful breeding.
In cooperation with birding experts, a visionary and generous mining company, Ekapa, built an S-shaped artificial island in the middle of the dam. Everyone – conservationists, birders, concerned environmentalists, many of the general public – held their breath. Would the lesser flamingo take to this new man-made home?
The birds loved it and set a record – this was the first time that the lesser flamingo had bred in South Africa. Now there is a large permanent breeding population here that has become a magnet for travellers and birders from all over the world.
But the story continues, because now Kamfers Dam is under threat from untreated sewage and a large housing development is planned. Save the Flamingo (www.savetheflamingo.co.za), a non-profit organisation, is raising money and public awareness to stop the potential danger to a unique South African natural attraction.
Visit the flamingos of Kimberley and then add your voice to the urgent appeal to save them.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Birdlife South Africa
Mark Anderson, Chief Executive Officer
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 788 0961
Email: ceo@birdlife.org.za
Web: www.andersonafrica.co.za
How to get here
Kimberley is 5 hours by road from Johannesburg on the N12. Kamfers Dam is on the outskirts of the city, on the northern side.
Get around
Head to the Flamingo Casino a few minutes drive to the north of Kimberley, on the Johannesburg road, and turn from the national road towards the casino. Just before the railway bridge, you’ll notice a nondescript road towards your right. It is not marked, and if you miss it, ask the Casino personnel how to find it. With this road you can drive alongside the railway line, with a good view of Kamfer’s Dam. Take care crossing the railway line. The problems with flooding make this one of the only accessible entrance points to see the flamingos.
What will it cost
This is a free attraction.
Where to stay
Kimberley has many excellent guesthouses and hotels, but the casino has the closest accommodation to the flamingos.