Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia.
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
Records3,319 records
Curve from 3,319 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
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Pied Kingfisher is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,319 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Pied Kingfisher
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
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
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
From R 630a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Pied Kingfisher
Hosts have recorded the Pied Kingfisher at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and Goukamma 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.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Western Cape
Goukamma · Anysberg · Gamkaberg
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Eastern Cape
Addo Elephant · Kwandwe
Eastern CapeSelf-driveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Ceryle rudis
Records
3,319
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Pied Kingfisher on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Pied Kingfisher in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Pied Kingfisher at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park 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 Pied Kingfisher in South Africa?
The Pied Kingfisher is most recorded in Western Cape (31% of records), Mpumalanga (23% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (18% of records), based on 3,319 iNaturalist observations. 149 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Pied Kingfisher on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Pied Kingfisher?
The Pied Kingfisher 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; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg 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 Pied Kingfisher?
The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies. Its black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish make it distinctive.