The indigenous forests at Cata are home to an abundance of birds. Look out for the Chorister Robin-Chat, Dark-backed Weaver, Forest Canary, Green Twinspot, Grey Cuckooshrike, Knysna Turaco, Olive Ground Thrush, Olive Woodpecker, Terrestrial Brownbul and Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler.Cata’s most famous winged resident, however, is the rare and endangered Cape Parrot. A partnership between the village and Birdlife South Africa has seen this bird’s numbers increase phenomenally. Pecan-nut trees have been planted to provide a ‘buffer’ between the forest and the communal fruit orchards of the village, ensuring that the parrot and the people are not in competition. Sightings of a flock of approximately ten Cape Parrots are regularly reported.
We suggest that you take a guided bird tour through the forest. A local Cata resident, passionate about birds and local flora, will take you on a three- or six-hour birdwatching expedition. Able to name birds in both English and isiXhosa, and engaging in his love of the subject, you are guaranteed a memorable outing. See the price-list for rates.
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Feel the heartbeat of an ordinary Xhosa village - opt for a homestay and live with one of the Cata families for the duration of your stay. Perhaps you might like to have your evening beer at the local tavern and meet your neighbours. read more
From the newly-built chalets you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the Cata Dam on the road to Keiskammahoek. You can opt for self-catering or have meals prepared for you in traditional Xhosa style. read more
Cata is a paradise for children… bicycling or horse-riding or learning a little of the local language. And, of course, they could meet the local children and together with them, look for cattle in the afternoon.
But Cata is not as ordinary as you might think first when you enter the village. During apartheid the village underwent a complete forced removal from the hills to the valley. This programme was ironically called “betterment“ and affected millions of people all over South Africa. This, and the successful fight for restitution, is documented in the Cata museum. read more
