Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
11 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Little Bee-eater
Merops pusillus
The little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.
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
Records1,569 records
Curve from 1,569 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 and beyond
Provinces where Little Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,569 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Little Bee-eater
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a 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
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tlopi Tented Camp
Marakele National Park
From R 1,866a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
Dulini River
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Little Bee-eater recorded here
&Beyond Tengile River Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bee-eater recorded here
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Little Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the Little Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Private 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
Limpopo
Kruger · Timbavati · Marakele
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in MpumalangaKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalNorth West
Madikwe
North WestStays in North West
Ways to look
Species
Merops pusillus
Records
1,569
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Little Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Little Bee-eater in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Little Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Madikwe 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 Little Bee-eater in South Africa?
The Little Bee-eater is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (49% of records), Limpopo (24% of records), Mpumalanga (19% of records), based on 1,569 iNaturalist observations. 28 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Little Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Little Bee-eater?
The Little Bee-eater 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; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: May-Sep, dry season; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Little Bee-eater?
The little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It is resident in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It should not be confused with the little green bee-eater, Merops orientalis. Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall patterns.