Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
10 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Red-chested Cuckoo
Cuculus solitarius
The red-chested cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Jan
When Red-chested Cuckoo sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Jan
Records684 records
Curve from 684 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Red-chested Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
685 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Red-chested Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a 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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
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
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
From R 2,310a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here
The Midlands
Next stop
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Red-chested Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game 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
Western Cape
Goukamma · De Hoop · Grootvadersbosch
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Eastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Cuculus solitarius
Records
685
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Red-chested Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-chested Cuckoo in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Vrolijkheid Nature 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 Red-chested Cuckoo in South Africa?
The Red-chested Cuckoo is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (27% of records), Western Cape (22% of records), Gauteng (16% of records), based on 685 iNaturalist observations. 61 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Red-chested Cuckoo?
Sightings of the Red-chested Cuckoo peak from Oct to Jan, based on 684 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Red-chested Cuckoo?
The red-chested cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is a medium-sized bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. In Afrikaans, it is known as "Piet-my-vrou", after its call.