Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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African Rail
Rallus caerulescens
The African rail (Rallus caerulescens) is a small wetland bird of the rail family.
Species insights
When to visit
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.
Best monthsAny month
Records255 records
Curve from 255 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.
Where you'll find it
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where African Rail is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
255 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Rail
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Aasvogelkrans Farm Cottages & Camping
Nieu Bethesda
From R 1,760a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
African Rail recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,340a night
African Rail recorded here
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,370a night
African Rail recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
African Rail recorded here
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
African Rail recorded here
Stumpnose Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
African Rail recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
African Rail recorded here
Blacktail Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
African Rail recorded here
Mvubu Bush Camp
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,380a night
African Rail recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
African Rail recorded here
Buffalo Valley Vlei Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
African Rail recorded here
Buffalo Valley River Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
African Rail recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
African Rail recorded here
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the African Rail
Hosts have recorded the African Rail at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
Western Cape
Goukamma · De Hoop · Keurbooms River
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
Phinda · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalGuided drivesStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
Species
Rallus caerulescens
Records
255
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Rail on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Rail in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Rail at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Keurbooms River Nature Reserve. 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 Rail in South Africa?
The African Rail is most recorded in Western Cape (63% of records), Gauteng (18% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (8% of records), based on 255 iNaturalist observations. 31 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the African Rail on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Rail?
The African Rail 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Phinda Private Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the African Rail?
The African rail (Rallus caerulescens) is a small wetland bird of the rail family.