Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Natal Spurfowl
Pternistis natalensis
The Natal spurfowl or Natal francolin (Pternistis natalensis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
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
Records1,842 records
Curve from 1,842 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Natal Spurfowl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,842 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Natal Spurfowl
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a 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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Greystone Lodge
Dullstroom
From R 1,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
From R 795a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
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
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Natal Spurfowl 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 Natal Spurfowl
Hosts have recorded the Natal Spurfowl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Golden Gate Highlands 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
Limpopo
Kruger · Mapungubwe
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · Giants Castle · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
KwaZulu-NatalSelf-driveStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Free State
Golden Gate Highlands
Free StateSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Free StateMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
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
Pternistis natalensis
Records
1,842
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Natal Spurfowl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Natal Spurfowl in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Natal Spurfowl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Giants Castle 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 Natal Spurfowl in South Africa?
The Natal Spurfowl is most recorded in Mpumalanga (40% of records), Limpopo (30% of records), North West (15% of records), based on 1,842 iNaturalist observations. 73 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Natal Spurfowl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Natal Spurfowl?
The Natal Spurfowl 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; uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Mar-May, Aug-Oct; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Natal Spurfowl?
The Natal spurfowl or Natal francolin (Pternistis natalensis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.