
African Fish Eagle
The African fish eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) or the African sea eagle is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 4,418 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where African Fish Eagle is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
4,418 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Fish Eagle
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale · Caracal
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 29,981 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Angulate tortoise · Wild olive
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Jaci's Lodge Trust
From R 31,500 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Forest biome · Humpback whale · Southern right whale
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 5,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · White milkwood · Southern right whale
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Spekboom · Outeniqua yellowwood
Gives back to Revive Knysna
From R 2,310 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 14,985 a night
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the African Fish Eagle
Hosts have recorded the African Fish Eagle at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Anysberg Nature Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
- Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.
Where to base yourself
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- Western CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
- MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Icthyophaga vocifer
Records
4,418
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Fish Eagle on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Fish Eagle in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Fish Eagle at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the African Fish Eagle in South Africa?
The African Fish Eagle is most recorded in Mpumalanga (30% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (21% of records), Western Cape (18% of records), based on 4,418 iNaturalist observations. 136 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the African Fish Eagle on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Fish Eagle?
The African Fish Eagle is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the African Fish Eagle?
The African fish eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) or the African sea eagle is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur. It is the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As a result of its large range, it is known in many languages.



































