
Orange-breasted Sunbird
The orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is the only member of the bird genus Anthobaphes; however, it is sometimes placed in the genus Nectarinia.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 3,631 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.
Western Cape
Provinces where Orange-breasted Sunbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,631 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Orange-breasted Sunbird
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale · Caracal
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 29,981 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Boomslang · Bushbuck
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust and 1 other
From R 1,950 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 14,985 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 34,972 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 24,990 a night
Orange-breasted Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,492 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 31,223 a night
Orange-breasted Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Orange-breasted Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Gemsbok
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 350 a night
Orange-breasted Sunbird recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Orange-breasted Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek vineyards, an hour up the N1
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Orange-breasted Sunbird
Hosts have recorded the Orange-breasted 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.
Ways to look
Species
Anthobaphes violacea
Records
3,631
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Orange-breasted Sunbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Orange-breasted Sunbird in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Orange-breasted Sunbird at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Grootvadersbosch 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 Orange-breasted Sunbird in South Africa?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is most recorded in Western Cape (99% of records), based on 3,631 iNaturalist observations. 73 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Orange-breasted Sunbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Orange-breasted Sunbird?
The Orange-breasted 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 Orange-breasted Sunbird?
The orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is the only member of the bird genus Anthobaphes; however, it is sometimes placed in the genus Nectarinia. This sunbird is endemic to the fynbos habitat of southwestern South Africa.

































