Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
13 places
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Pel's Fishing Owl
Scotopelia peli
The Pel's fishing owl (Scotopelia peli) is a large species of owl in the family Strigidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Nov
When Pel's Fishing Owl sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Nov
Records92 records
Curve from 92 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
Limpopo and beyond
Provinces where Pel's Fishing Owl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
92 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Pel's Fishing Owl
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a 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
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Roodewal Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,966a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Punda Maria Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 319a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Border Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 3,458a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Skukuza Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
Ndumo
Ndumo Game Reserve
From R 190a night
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Pel's Fishing Owl recorded here
More stays nearby
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
From R 2,235a night
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 Pel's Fishing Owl
Hosts have recorded the Pel's Fishing Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Best hours of the day
- Dusk and after dark. Listen for calls; a torch at camp or a night drive works best.
- Daytime. Roosting, well hidden.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger · Welgevonden
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
Phinda · iSimangaliso Wetland · Ndumo
KwaZulu-NatalGuided drivesStays 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
Scotopelia peli
Records
92
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Pel's Fishing Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Pel's Fishing Owl in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Pel's Fishing Owl at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ndumo Game Reserve and Welgevonden Game Reserve. 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 Pel's Fishing Owl in South Africa?
The Pel's Fishing Owl is most recorded in Limpopo (54% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (33% of records), Mpumalanga (11% of records), based on 92 iNaturalist observations. 23 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Pel's Fishing Owl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Pel's Fishing Owl?
Sightings of the Pel's Fishing Owl peak from Oct to Nov, based on 92 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Pel's Fishing Owl?
The Pel's fishing owl (Scotopelia peli) is a large species of owl in the family Strigidae. The species is found in Africa and lives near rivers and lakes. It feeds nocturnally on fish and frogs snatched from the surface of lakes and rivers. The species prefers slow moving rivers with large overhanging trees to roost and forage from. It nests in hollows and the forks of large trees.