Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Fan-tailed Widowbird
Euplectes axillaris
The fan-tailed widowbird (Euplectes axillaris), also known as the red-shouldered widowbird, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae, which is native to grassy and swampy areas of the tropical and subtropical Afrotropics.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Feb
When Fan-tailed Widowbird sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Feb
Records655 records
Curve from 655 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 Fan-tailed Widowbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
655 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Fan-tailed Widowbird
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a 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
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
From R 795a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Fan-tailed Widowbird
Hosts have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
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
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · Giants Castle
KwaZulu-NatalSelf-driveStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Free 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
Euplectes axillaris
Records
655
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Fan-tailed Widowbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Fan-tailed Widowbird in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve 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 Fan-tailed Widowbird in South Africa?
The Fan-tailed Widowbird is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (73% of records), Mpumalanga (12% of records), Gauteng (8% of records), based on 655 iNaturalist observations. 68 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Fan-tailed Widowbird?
Sightings of the Fan-tailed Widowbird peak from Oct to Feb, based on 655 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Fan-tailed Widowbird?
The fan-tailed widowbird (Euplectes axillaris), also known as the red-shouldered widowbird, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae, which is native to grassy and swampy areas of the tropical and subtropical Afrotropics.