uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Drakensberg Siskin
Crithagra symonsi
The Drakensberg siskin, (Crithagra symonsi), is a small passerine bird in the finch family.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Feb
When Drakensberg Siskin sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Feb
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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Drakensberg Siskin is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
94 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Drakensberg Siskin
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes
Rhodes
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Drakensberg Siskin recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Birder friendly
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 Drakensberg Siskin
Hosts have recorded the Drakensberg Siskin at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Giants Castle 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
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · Giants Castle · Kamberg
KwaZulu-NatalSelf-driveStays in KwaZulu-NatalFree State
Golden Gate Highlands
Free StateSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Free State
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Crithagra symonsi
Records
94
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Drakensberg Siskin on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Drakensberg Siskin in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Drakensberg Siskin at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Royal Natal National Park. 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 Drakensberg Siskin in South Africa?
The Drakensberg Siskin is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (82% of records), Eastern Cape (17% of records), based on 94 iNaturalist observations. 14 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Drakensberg Siskin on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Drakensberg Siskin?
Sightings of the Drakensberg Siskin peak from Nov to Feb, based on 96 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Drakensberg Siskin?
The Drakensberg siskin, (Crithagra symonsi), is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an endemic resident breeder in the eastern Cape Province Transkei and western Natal in South Africa, and in Lesotho.