Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
4 places
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Lesser Crested Tern
Thalasseus bengalensis
The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a tern in the family, Laridae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Mar to Apr
When Lesser Crested Tern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsMar to Apr
Records122 records
Curve from 122 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
Provinces where Lesser Crested Tern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
122 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Lesser Crested Tern
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Olifantsbos Guest House
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,859a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 1,100a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Lesser Crested Tern
Hosts have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park and iSimangaliso Wetland 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
Table Mountain
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western 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
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Thalasseus bengalensis
Records
122
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Lesser Crested Tern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Lesser Crested Tern in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. 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 Lesser Crested Tern in South Africa?
The Lesser Crested Tern is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (96% of records), based on 122 iNaturalist observations. 5 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Lesser Crested Tern?
Sightings of the Lesser Crested Tern peak from Mar to Apr, based on 122 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Lesser Crested Tern?
The Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Lesser Crested Tern?
The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a tern in the family, Laridae.