Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Amethyst Sunbird
Chalcomitra amethystina
The amethyst sunbird, also called the black sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina), is a species of passerine bird in the Nectariniidae 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
Records3,604 records
Curve from 3,604 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 Amethyst Sunbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,604 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Amethyst Sunbird
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
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a 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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Amethyst Sunbird 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
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
From R 4,640a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here
The Midlands
Next stop
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Amethyst Sunbird
Hosts have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Kwandwe 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 · Grootvadersbosch
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays 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
Chalcomitra amethystina
Records
3,604
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Amethyst Sunbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Amethyst Sunbird in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Table Mountain National 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 Amethyst Sunbird in South Africa?
The Amethyst Sunbird is most recorded in Western Cape (28% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (25% of records), Eastern Cape (23% of records), based on 3,604 iNaturalist observations. 54 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Amethyst Sunbird?
The Amethyst Sunbird 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; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; 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 Amethyst Sunbird?
The amethyst sunbird, also called the black sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina), is a species of passerine bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is native to the Afrotropics, mostly south of the equator. They are commonly found in well-watered habitats, and undertake seasonal movements to visit flowering woodlands.