Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Cape Shoveler
Spatula smithii
The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula.
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
Records2,255 records
Curve from 2,255 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 Shoveler is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,255 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Shoveler
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
From R 4,640a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Karoo Secret Farm Stay
Aberdeen
From R 1,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
From R 795a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
From R 300a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
From R 1,460a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,590a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,730a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,990a night
Cape Shoveler recorded here
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Cape Shoveler recorded here
The Klein Karoo
Next stop
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cape Shoveler
Hosts have recorded the Cape Shoveler at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Rocherpan 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 · Rocherpan · De Hoop
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Spatula smithii
Records
2,255
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Shoveler on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Shoveler in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Shoveler at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Kogelberg 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 Cape Shoveler in South Africa?
The Cape Shoveler is most recorded in Western Cape (84% of records), Gauteng (5% of records), based on 2,255 iNaturalist observations. 45 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Cape Shoveler on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Shoveler?
The Cape Shoveler 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; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; 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 Cape Shoveler?
The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula. It is resident in South Africa, and uncommon further north in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia.