Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
16 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa.
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
Records6,192 records
Curve from 6,192 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
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Grey Heron is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
6,190 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Grey Heron
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 22,483a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Grey Heron recorded here
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Grey Heron recorded here
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 43,712a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 31,223a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 43,712a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 31,223a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Grey Heron recorded here
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 24,990a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 24,990a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Grey Heron recorded here
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 43,712a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 31,223a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Grey Heron recorded here
The Klein Karoo
Next stop
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Grey Heron
Hosts have recorded the Grey Heron 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
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Ardea cinerea
Records
6,190
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Grey Heron on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Grey Heron in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Grey Heron at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve 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 Grey Heron in South Africa?
The Grey Heron is most recorded in Western Cape (44% of records), Mpumalanga (17% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (16% of records), based on 6,190 iNaturalist observations. 110 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Grey Heron on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Grey Heron?
The Grey 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; 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. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Grey Heron?
The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast.