Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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Malachite Sunbird
Nectarinia famosa
The malachite sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) is a small nectarivorous bird found from the highlands of Ethiopia southwards to South Africa.
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
Records4,423 records
Curve from 4,423 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 Sunbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
4,422 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Malachite Sunbird
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale · Caracal
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 29,981 a night
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to Lessons in Conservation (LiC)
From R 600 a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 14,985 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malachite Sunbird recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malachite Sunbird recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malachite Sunbird recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malachite Sunbird recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 31,223 a night
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Malachite Sunbird recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
The Overberg
Next stop
Whale coast and rolling farm country
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Malachite Sunbird
Hosts have recorded the Malachite Sunbird at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, 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
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Goukamma · Anysberg
Western CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Nectarinia famosa
Records
4,422
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Malachite Sunbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Malachite Sunbird in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Malachite Sunbird at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Rocherpan 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 Sunbird in South Africa?
The Malachite Sunbird is most recorded in Western Cape (75% of records), Eastern Cape (15% of records), based on 4,422 iNaturalist observations. 103 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Malachite Sunbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Malachite Sunbird?
The Malachite Sunbird 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. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Malachite Sunbird?
The malachite sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) is a small nectarivorous bird found from the highlands of Ethiopia southwards to South Africa.