Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull which breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere.
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
Records6,613 records
Curve from 6,613 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 Kelp Gull is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
6,613 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Kelp Gull
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 22,483a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 37,467a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 43,712a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 31,223a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 43,712a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 31,223a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 24,990a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 24,990a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
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
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 24,990a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 39,974a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
From R 4,640a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,590a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,730a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,340a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,370a night
Kelp Gull recorded here
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Kelp Gull
Hosts have recorded the Kelp Gull at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kogelberg Nature Reserve and Table Mountain 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
Western Cape
Goukamma · Kogelberg · Table Mountain
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Larus dominicanus
Records
6,613
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Kelp Gull on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Kelp Gull in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Kelp Gull at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Garden Route National Park 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 Kelp Gull in South Africa?
The Kelp Gull is most recorded in Western Cape (86% of records), Eastern Cape (10% of records), based on 6,613 iNaturalist observations. 37 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Kelp Gull on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Kelp Gull?
The Kelp Gull 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Kogelberg Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Table Mountain National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Tsitsikamma National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Kelp Gull?
The kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull which breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere. The nominate L. d.