Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Cape Cormorant
Phalacrocorax capensisEndangered
The Cape cormorant or Cape shag (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a bird endemic to the southwestern coasts of 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
Records2,789 records
Curve from 2,789 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 Cape Cormorant is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,789 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Cormorant
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
From R 4,640a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,590a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,730a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,340a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,370a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Stumpnose Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Blacktail Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Lekkerwater
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Mvubu Bush Camp
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,380a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Buffalo Valley Vlei Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Buffalo Valley River Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Buffalo Valley Forest Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,410a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
The Whale Trail (De Hoop)
De Hoop Nature Reserve
From R 6,460a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Damara Trail (De Mond)
De Mond Nature Reserve
From R 3,690a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Cape Cormorant recorded here
The Overberg
Next stop
Whale coast and rolling farm country
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cape Cormorant
Hosts have recorded the Cape Cormorant at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park and De Hoop 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
Goukamma · De Hoop · Table Mountain
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant · Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
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
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Species
Phalacrocorax capensis
Records
2,789
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Cormorant on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Cormorant in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Cormorant at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, Kogelberg Nature Reserve and Tsitsikamma 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 Cape Cormorant in South Africa?
The Cape Cormorant is most recorded in Western Cape (89% of records), Eastern Cape (8% of records), based on 2,789 iNaturalist observations. 34 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Cape Cormorant on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape Cormorant 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; Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Table Mountain National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape cormorant or Cape shag (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a bird endemic to the southwestern coasts of Africa.