Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
10 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Barn Swallow sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Records2,243 records
Curve from 2,243 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 Barn Swallow is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,243 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Barn Swallow
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a 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
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Barn Swallow recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Barn Swallow recorded here
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Barn Swallow recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Barn Swallow recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
From R 630a night
Barn Swallow recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Barn Swallow 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 Barn Swallow
Hosts have recorded the Barn Swallow at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area and Goukamma Nature 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
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Goukamma · Anysberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger · Timbavati
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
Eastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Hirundo rustica
Records
2,243
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Barn Swallow on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Barn Swallow in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Barn Swallow at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier 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 Barn Swallow in South Africa?
The Barn Swallow is most recorded in Western Cape (34% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (24% of records), Mpumalanga (11% of records), based on 2,243 iNaturalist observations. 100 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Barn Swallow on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Barn Swallow?
Sightings of the Barn Swallow peak from Nov to Mar, based on 2,243 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Barn Swallow?
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In Anglophone Europe it is just called the swallow; in Northern Europe it is the only common species called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".