Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Purple Roller
Coracias naevius
The purple roller (Coracias naevius), or rufous-crowned roller, is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa.
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
Records601 records
Curve from 601 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Purple Roller is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
601 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Purple Roller
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a 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
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Purple Roller recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Purple Roller recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Purple Roller recorded here
Kruger Lowveld
Next stop
Bushveld game country and the southern gates of the Kruger
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Purple Roller
Hosts have recorded the Purple Roller at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Mapungubwe 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
Limpopo
Kruger · Mapungubwe · Marakele
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi · Mokala
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland · Ithala · Weenen
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalNorth West
Madikwe
North WestStays in North West
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Coracias naevius
Records
601
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Purple Roller on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Purple Roller in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Purple Roller at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Mokala National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Ithala Game 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 Purple Roller in South Africa?
The Purple Roller is most recorded in Mpumalanga (47% of records), Limpopo (45% of records), North West (5% of records), based on 601 iNaturalist observations. 64 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Purple Roller on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Purple Roller?
The Purple Roller 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; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season; Mokala National Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Purple Roller?
The purple roller (Coracias naevius), or rufous-crowned roller, is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Compared with other rollers its colours are rather dull and its voice rather harsh and grating.