Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis
The laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898.
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
Records6,768 records
Curve from 6,768 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 Laughing Dove is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
6,766 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Laughing Dove
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a 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
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
Laughing Dove recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
From R 350a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Laughing Dove recorded here
Remote Corner
Parkview, Johannesburg
From R 850a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Laughing Dove recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Laughing Dove recorded here
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Laughing Dove recorded here
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Laughing Dove
Hosts have recorded the Laughing Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Kruger 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
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Goukamma · Anysberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Spilopelia senegalensis
Records
6,766
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Laughing Dove on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Laughing Dove in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Laughing Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier 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 Laughing Dove in South Africa?
The Laughing Dove is most recorded in Western Cape (41% of records), Gauteng (23% of records), Eastern Cape (9% of records), based on 6,766 iNaturalist observations. 98 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Laughing Dove on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Laughing Dove?
The Laughing Dove 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; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; 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 Laughing Dove?
The laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898. This small long-tailed dove is found in dry scrub and semi-desert habitats where pairs can often be seen feeding on the ground.