Mokala National Park
Northern Cape · Best Aug to Oct
3 places
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Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila gutturalis
The Orange River francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae found in grassland and woodland in Africa.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Sep to Oct
When Orange River Francolin sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsSep to Oct
Records119 records
Curve from 119 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
Gauteng and beyond
Provinces where Orange River Francolin is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
119 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Orange River Francolin
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Motswedi Camp Site
Mokala National Park
From R 628a night
Orange River Francolin recorded here
Mosu Lodge
Mokala National Park
From R 1,401a night
Orange River Francolin recorded here
Lilydale Rest Camp
Mokala National Park
From R 1,206a night
Orange River Francolin recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 1,100a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
Stanford
From R 2,850a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Birder friendly
The Karoo
Next stop
South Africa's vast inland heart: silence, stars, and wide horizons
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Orange River Francolin
Hosts have recorded the Orange River Francolin at stays in or beside Mokala 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.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Scleroptila gutturalis
Records
119
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Orange River Francolin on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Orange River Francolin in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Orange River Francolin at stays in or beside Mokala National Park. 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 River Francolin in South Africa?
The Orange River Francolin is most recorded in Gauteng (41% of records), Free State (20% of records), Northern Cape (17% of records), based on 119 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Orange River Francolin on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Orange River Francolin?
Sightings of the Orange River Francolin peak from Sep to Oct, based on 119 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Orange River Francolin?
The Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Orange River Francolin?
The Orange River francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae found in grassland and woodland in Africa. In the taxa from the northern part of its distribution (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Kenya), the neck-line does not reach the eye and the belly is whitish.