Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
13 places
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Malachite Kingfisher
Corythornis cristatus
The malachite kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara.
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
Records2,681 records
Curve from 2,681 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 Malachite Kingfisher is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,680 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Malachite Kingfisher
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
In Toto Retreat
Sedgefield
From R 2,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
From R 350a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
From R 630a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Malachite Kingfisher recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Malachite Kingfisher 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 Malachite Kingfisher
Hosts have recorded the Malachite Kingfisher at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Anysberg 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
Western Cape
Goukamma · Anysberg · De Hoop
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Corythornis cristatus
Records
2,680
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Malachite Kingfisher on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Malachite Kingfisher in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Malachite Kingfisher at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and De Hoop Nature 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 Malachite Kingfisher in South Africa?
The Malachite Kingfisher is most recorded in Western Cape (38% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Mpumalanga (12% of records), based on 2,680 iNaturalist observations. 74 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Malachite Kingfisher on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Malachite Kingfisher?
The Malachite Kingfisher 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; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Malachite Kingfisher?
The malachite kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate-related movements.