Phinda Private Game Reserve
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
5 places
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Little Bittern
Botaurus minutus
The little bittern (Botaurus minutus) is a wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jan to Feb
When Little Bittern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJan to Feb
Records339 records
Curve from 339 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 Little Bittern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
338 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Little Bittern
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
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
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a 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
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking 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
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bittern recorded here
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bittern recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Little Bittern recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bittern recorded here
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Little Bittern recorded here
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Little Bittern recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bittern recorded here
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,990a night
Little Bittern recorded here
Kingfisher Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,500a night
Little Bittern recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Little Bittern recorded here
Flamingo Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,430a night
Little Bittern recorded here
Oystercatcher Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,430a night
Little Bittern recorded here
Sandpiper Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,430a night
Little Bittern 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 Little Bittern
Hosts have recorded the Little Bittern at stays in or beside Phinda Private Game Reserve, Rocherpan 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
Rocherpan · Vrolijkheid · Keurbooms River
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeKwaZulu-Natal
Phinda · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalGuided drivesStays in KwaZulu-NatalLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
Species
Botaurus minutus
Records
338
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Little Bittern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Little Bittern in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Little Bittern at stays in or beside Phinda Private Game Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Keurbooms River Nature Reserve. 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 Bittern in South Africa?
The Little Bittern is most recorded in Western Cape (59% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (11% of records), Mpumalanga (11% of records), based on 338 iNaturalist observations. 25 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Little Bittern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Little Bittern?
Sightings of the Little Bittern peak from Jan to Feb, based on 339 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Little Bittern?
The little bittern (Botaurus minutus) is a wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. This species was formerly placed in the genus Ixobrychus.