
Greater Striped Swallow
The greater striped swallow (Cecropis cucullata) is a large swallow that is native to Africa south of the equator.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 2,245 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.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Greater Striped Swallow is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,245 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Greater Striped Swallow
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Greater Striped Swallow recorded here
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Greater Striped Swallow
Hosts have recorded the Greater Striped Swallow at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Anysberg 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 CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
- Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Ways to look
Species
Cecropis cucullata
Records
2,245
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Greater Striped Swallow on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Greater Striped Swallow in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Greater Striped Swallow at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kwandwe Private Game 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 Greater Striped Swallow in South Africa?
The Greater Striped Swallow is most recorded in Western Cape (50% of records), Eastern Cape (11% of records), Gauteng (10% of records), based on 2,245 iNaturalist observations. 90 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Greater Striped Swallow on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Greater Striped Swallow?
The Greater Striped Swallow 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. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Greater Striped Swallow?
The greater striped swallow (Cecropis cucullata) is a large swallow that is native to Africa south of the equator.



































