Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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African Wood Owl
Strix woodfordii
The African wood owl or Woodford's owl (Strix woodfordii) is a typical owl from the genus Strix in the family Strigidae which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
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
Records297 records
Curve from 297 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 Wood Owl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
297 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Wood Owl
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
From R 630a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
African Wood Owl recorded here
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
African Wood Owl 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 Wood Owl
Hosts have recorded the African Wood Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Addo Elephant National Park.
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
Kruger · Mapungubwe
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · Giants Castle · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant · Kwandwe · Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Eastern Cape
Western Cape
Table Mountain · Grootvadersbosch · Kogelberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
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
Strix woodfordii
Records
297
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Wood Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Wood Owl in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Wood Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Table Mountain National Park and Grootvadersbosch Nature 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 Wood Owl in South Africa?
The African Wood Owl is most recorded in Western Cape (40% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Limpopo (18% of records), based on 297 iNaturalist observations. 91 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the African Wood Owl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Wood Owl?
The African Wood 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; uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; 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 Wood Owl?
The African wood owl or Woodford's owl (Strix woodfordii) is a typical owl from the genus Strix in the family Strigidae which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.