Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Common House Martin
Delichon urbicum
The common house martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes called the northern house martin or, particularly in Europe, just house martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Common House Martin sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Records96 records
Curve from 96 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
Limpopo and beyond
Provinces where Common House Martin is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
96 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Common House Martin
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
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a 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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Common House Martin recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Common House Martin recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Common House Martin recorded here
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Common House Martin recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Common House Martin recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common House Martin recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Common House Martin recorded here
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common House Martin recorded here
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
From R 680a night
Common House Martin recorded here
Karoo Secret Farm Stay
Aberdeen
From R 1,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common House Martin recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common House Martin 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 Common House Martin
Hosts have recorded the Common House Martin at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Anysberg 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 · Anysberg · De Hoop
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Delichon urbicum
Records
96
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Common House Martin on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Common House Martin in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Common House Martin at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Vrolijkheid 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 Common House Martin in South Africa?
The Common House Martin is most recorded in Limpopo (29% of records), Mpumalanga (20% of records), Western Cape (14% of records), based on 96 iNaturalist observations. 47 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Common House Martin on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Common House Martin?
Sightings of the Common House Martin peak from Nov to Mar, based on 96 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Common House Martin?
The common house martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes called the northern house martin or, particularly in Europe, just house martin, is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia.