
Brown Snake Eagle
The brown snake eagle (Circaetus cinereus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 1,702 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.
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Brown Snake Eagle is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,702 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Brown Snake Eagle
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Brown Snake Eagle recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Brown Snake Eagle
Hosts have recorded the Brown Snake Eagle at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Best hours of the day
- Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
- Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.
Where to base yourself
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
- KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
- North WestStays in North West
Ways to look
Species
Circaetus cinereus
Records
1,702
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Brown Snake Eagle on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Brown Snake Eagle in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Brown Snake Eagle at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Madikwe Game Reserve and Marakele National Park. 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 Brown Snake Eagle in South Africa?
The Brown Snake Eagle is most recorded in Mpumalanga (47% of records), Limpopo (27% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (19% of records), based on 1,702 iNaturalist observations. 37 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Brown Snake Eagle on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Brown Snake Eagle?
The Brown Snake Eagle 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; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Brown Snake Eagle?
The brown snake eagle (Circaetus cinereus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is found in West, East and southern Africa.



























