Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-backed Shrike in South Africa?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-backed Shrike at stays in or beside Kruger 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 Red-backed Shrike in South Africa?

The Red-backed Shrike is most recorded in Mpumalanga (30% of records), Limpopo (29% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (21% of records), based on 1 468 iNaturalist observations. 13 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Red-backed Shrike on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Red-backed Shrike?

Sightings of the Red-backed Shrike peak from Nov to Mar, based on 1 468 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.

What is the Red-backed Shrike?

The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae. The genus name, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes are also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits. The specific collurio is from Ancient Greek kollurion, a bird mentioned by Aristotle.

Go Birding

Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurio

The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordRed-backed Shrike10+ stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Most records Nov to Mar

When Red-backed Shrike sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.

Best monthsNov to Mar

Records1,468 records

Curve from 1,468 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 Red-backed Shrike is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

1,468 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Red-backed Shrike

12 places
Kruger National ParkLimpopo · Best Apr to Sep
12 places

Places to stay

10+ results in South Africa

Karoo Secret Farm Stay

Aberdeen

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 209 birds recorded · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,200 per night

Orpen Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 56 birds recorded · Delagoa thorn, Knobthorn · Guided walk, Game drives

From R 1,815 per night

Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 45 birds recorded · Cheetah, Delagoa thorn · Guided walk, Game drives

From R 390 per night

Satara Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 52 birds recorded · Blue wildebeest, Cheetah · Photography

From R 331 per night

Maroela Satellite Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 56 birds recorded · Delagoa thorn, Knobthorn

From R 390 per night

Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 41 birds recorded · Giraffe, Knobthorn

From R 390 per night

Malelane Satellite Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 41 birds recorded · Giraffe, Impala

From R 390 per night

Lower Sabie Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 57 birds recorded · Cheetah, Delagoa thorn · Photography

From R 390 per night

Tamboti Satellite Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 56 birds recorded · Cheetah, Delagoa thorn · Photography

From R 771 per night

Pretoriuskop Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 43 birds recorded · Brack thorn, Cheetah

From R 390 per night

Talamati Bushveld Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 56 birds recorded · Delagoa thorn, Giraffe · Guided walk, Game drives

From R 1,756 per night

Biyamiti Bushveld Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 45 birds recorded · Cheetah, Delagoa thorn · Guided walk, Game drives

From R 2,219 per night

Skukuza Rest Camp

Kruger National Park

Red-backed Shrike recorded here · Savanna biome · 74 birds recorded · African elephant, Cape buffalo · Photography, Golf

From R 390 per night

More stays nearby

Babylonstoren

Klapmuts, Simondium

12 birds recorded · Angulate tortoise, Wild olive · Spa, Vineyards

Price on request

Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Limpopo

Savanna biome · 27 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Guided walk, Game drives

Price on request

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Thonga Beach Lodge

Manguzi

Forest biome · 60 birds recorded · Humpback whale, Southern right whale · Canoeing, Snorkelling

Price on request

La Clé Lodge & Villas

Franschhoek

Fynbos biome · Cycling

Price on request

Coot Club

Stanford

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 8 birds recorded · White milkwood, Southern right whale · Whale watching, Canoeing

Price on request

Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Price on request

Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa

Somerset West

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Vineyards, Wine tasting

Price on request

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 26 birds recorded · Black wildebeest, Bontebok · Horse riding, Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 5,636 per night

Maninghi Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · 8 birds recorded · Giraffe, African elephant · Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Rhino Sands Safari Camp

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 30 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Zululand Conservation Trust

From R 22,680 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-backed Shrike in South Africa?: Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-backed Shrike at stays in or beside Kruger 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 Red-backed Shrike in South Africa?: The Red-backed Shrike is most recorded in Mpumalanga (30% of records), Limpopo (29% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (21% of records), based on 1 468 iNaturalist observations. 13 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Red-backed Shrike on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Red-backed Shrike?: Sightings of the Red-backed Shrike peak from Nov to Mar, based on 1 468 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Red-backed Shrike?: The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae. The genus name, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes are also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits. The specific collurio is from Ancient Greek kollurion, a bird mentioned by Aristotle.