Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath
The Goliath heron (Ardea goliath), also known as the giant heron, is a very large wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Best monthsAny month
Records1,760 records
Curve from 1,760 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 Goliath Heron is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,763 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Goliath Heron
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
In Toto Retreat
Sedgefield
From R 2,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a 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
Goliath Heron recorded here
Hutwini Walking 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
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Goliath Heron recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Goliath Heron recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Goliath Heron recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Goliath Heron recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Goliath Heron recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Goliath Heron recorded here
Tandweni Villa
Mkuze
From R 14,000a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Goliath Heron 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 Goliath Heron
Hosts have recorded the Goliath Heron at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and Phinda 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 · Mapungubwe
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
KwaZulu-Natal
Phinda · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalGuided drivesStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant · Tsitsikamma · Camdeboo
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern Cape
Northern Cape
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld · Augrabies Falls
Northern CapeSelf-driveStays in Northern Cape
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Ardea goliath
Records
1,763
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Goliath Heron on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Goliath Heron in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Goliath Heron at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 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 Goliath Heron in South Africa?
The Goliath Heron is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (28% of records), Mpumalanga (24% of records), Limpopo (16% of records), based on 1,763 iNaturalist observations. 87 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Goliath Heron on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Goliath Heron?
The Goliath Heron is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Phinda Private Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Mar-May, Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Goliath Heron?
The Goliath heron (Ardea goliath), also known as the giant heron, is a very large wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa, with smaller numbers in Southwest and South Asia.