Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
12 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Jan
When European Bee-eater sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Jan
Records1,536 records
Curve from 1,536 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where European Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,536 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the European Bee-eater
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
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a 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
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
European Bee-eater recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
European Bee-eater recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
European Bee-eater 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
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
European Bee-eater recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
European Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
European Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
European Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
European Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
European Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
European Bee-eater recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Ouberg Private Nature Reserve
Montagu
From R 350a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
European Bee-eater recorded here
Bloukrans Off-Grid Cabin
Montagu
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
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 European Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the European Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area and Goukamma 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
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Goukamma · Anysberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger · Timbavati · Welgevonden
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
Species
Merops apiaster
Records
1,536
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the European Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the European Bee-eater in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the European Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Rocherpan 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 European Bee-eater in South Africa?
The European Bee-eater is most recorded in Mpumalanga (21% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), Western Cape (15% of records), based on 1,536 iNaturalist observations. 75 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the European Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the European Bee-eater?
Sightings of the European Bee-eater peak from Nov to Jan, based on 1,536 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the European Bee-eater?
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and apiaster is Latin, also meaning "bee-eater", from apis, "bee". It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa.