Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
8 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Common Swift
Apus apus
The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Feb
When Common Swift sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Feb
Records74 records
Curve from 74 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 Common Swift is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
74 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Common Swift
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 Swift recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
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
Common Swift recorded here
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Common Swift recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Common Swift recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common Swift recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Common Swift recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common Swift recorded here
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Common Swift 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 Swift recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Aasvogelkrans Farm Cottages & Camping
Nieu Bethesda
From R 1,760a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Common Swift 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 Swift
Hosts have recorded the Common Swift at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kwandwe Private Game 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
Limpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeWestern Cape
De Hoop · Robberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Ways to look
Species
Apus apus
Records
74
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Common Swift on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Common Swift in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Common Swift at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland 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 Common Swift in South Africa?
The Common Swift is most recorded in Western Cape (59% of records), Northern Cape (15% of records), Mpumalanga (7% of records), based on 74 iNaturalist observations. 36 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Common Swift on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Common Swift?
Sightings of the Common Swift peak from Nov to Feb, based on 74 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Common Swift?
The common swift (Apus apus) is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar contextual development.