Eshowe is centrally positioned in an area surrounded by scarp forest and linked to other neighboring forests by pockets of indigenous bush and grassland, which makes it an excellent base for birding the Zululand forests.

The birding spots are:
Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
Prince Dabulamanzi Trail
Lake Phobane

Dlinza Forest, which is in the heart of Eshowe, hosts birds like the elusive Spotted Ground Thrush which can be seen scratching for earthworms in the forest leaf litter, while above in the forest canopy Eastern Bronze-Naped Pigeons can be heard throughout the summer months making their loud ascending then descending call. To the west of Eshowe at a higher elevation, is the Entumeni Nature Reserve, which has a forest superficially similar to Dlinza forest but hosting different birds like Yellow-streaked Greenbuls and African Broadbill which do not occur in Dlinza. A trail established by local cane growers meanders through farms and links the two reserves. This is the Prince Dabulamanzi Trail, named after one of the Zulu King Cetshwayo's great generals. About 15km north of Eshowe is Lake Phobane, nestled in a valley, which was once the heart of King Shaka's Kingdom. This is a unique birding area and because of the wide range of different habitats in close proximity, a great variety of bird species are to be found here..