Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Cardinal Woodpecker
Dendropicos fuscescens
The cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan 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
Records1,645 records
Curve from 1,645 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Cardinal Woodpecker is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,645 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cardinal Woodpecker
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a 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
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
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
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
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
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
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
Cardinal Woodpecker recorded here
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cardinal Woodpecker
Hosts have recorded the Cardinal Woodpecker at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Cederberg Wilderness Area.
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
Limpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Western Cape
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Anysberg · Gamkaberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi · Ai-Ais/Richtersveld
Northern CapeSelf-driveStays in Northern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Dendropicos fuscescens
Records
1,645
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cardinal Woodpecker on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cardinal Woodpecker in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cardinal Woodpecker at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Gamkaberg 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 Cardinal Woodpecker in South Africa?
The Cardinal Woodpecker is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (30% of records), Western Cape (18% of records), Mpumalanga (17% of records), based on 1,645 iNaturalist observations. 160 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Cardinal Woodpecker on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cardinal Woodpecker?
The Cardinal Woodpecker 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; uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Cardinal Woodpecker?
The cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dense forest to thorn bush. It is fairly vocal and is easily identified by its call notes. The sexes are distinguishable by their head patterns.