Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Olive Woodpecker
Colaptes rubiginosus
The golden-olive woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) is a resident breeding bird from Mexico south and east to Guyana, northwest Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago.
Species insights
Parks where hosts record the Olive Woodpecker
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 4,280 a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 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
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
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
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Spekboom · Outeniqua yellowwood
Gives back to Revive Knysna
From R 2,310 a night
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Common eland
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 1 other
From R 6,800 a night
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 220 a night
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 680 a night
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fur seal
From R 1,560 a night
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Olive Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Olive Woodpecker
Hosts have recorded the Olive Woodpecker at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game 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
Goukamma · De Hoop · Grootvadersbosch
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
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
Colaptes rubiginosus
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Olive Woodpecker on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Olive Woodpecker in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Olive Woodpecker at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area 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.
What is the Olive Woodpecker?
The golden-olive woodpecker (Colaptes rubiginosus) is a resident breeding bird from Mexico south and east to Guyana, northwest Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago. It was formerly placed in the genus Piculus. The scientific name rubiginosus means "full of rust", describing the color of the bird's wings and back.