Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Long-crested Eagle
Lophaetus occipitalis
The long-crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) is an African bird of prey.
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
Records1,367 records
Curve from 1,367 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 Long-crested Eagle is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,367 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Long-crested Eagle
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
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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Greystone Lodge
Dullstroom
From R 1,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
From R 795a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zvakanaka Farm
Louis Trichardt
From R 650a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,340a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,370a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Stumpnose Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Blacktail Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Mvubu Bush Camp
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,380a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Buffalo Valley Vlei Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
Long-crested Eagle recorded here
Buffalo Valley River Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
From R 1,580a night
Long-crested Eagle 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 Long-crested Eagle
Hosts have recorded the Long-crested Eagle at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Best hours of the day
- Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
- Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.
Where to base yourself
Western Cape
Goukamma · Keurbooms River
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · 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
Lophaetus occipitalis
Records
1,367
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Long-crested Eagle on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Long-crested Eagle in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Long-crested Eagle at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, 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 Long-crested Eagle in South Africa?
The Long-crested Eagle is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (53% of records), Western Cape (15% of records), Eastern Cape (10% of records), based on 1,367 iNaturalist observations. 26 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Long-crested Eagle on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Long-crested Eagle?
The Long-crested Eagle 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; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Long-crested Eagle?
The long-crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) is an African bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus.