Limpopo
Kruger · Marakele
Self-drive
Stays in LimpopoWhere to see
Where to see the African Scops Owl in South Africa
Hosts have recorded the African Scops Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Otus senegalensis
Planning a trip
When and where to find the African Scops Owl
Hosts have recorded the African Scops Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- Dusk and after dark. Listen for calls; a torch at camp or a night drive works best.
- Daytime. Roosting, well hidden.
Where to base yourself
- Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
Mpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Eastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Otus senegalensis
Records
400
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Scops Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Scops Owl in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Scops Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park 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 Scops Owl in South Africa?
The African Scops Owl is most recorded in Limpopo (45% of records), Mpumalanga (39% of records), Eastern Cape (8% of records), based on 400 iNaturalist observations. 43 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the African Scops Owl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Scops Owl?
The African Scops Owl 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; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the African Scops Owl?
The African scops owl (Otus senegalensis) is a small owl which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
Stays that give back
Where to stay for a chance to see the African Scops Owl
Every stay on the African Scops Owl page lists the species its host has recorded on or near the property. A record is a sighting, never a promise.
See where to stay