Where to see
Where to see the Red-collared Widowbird in South Africa
Hosts have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Euplectes ardens

Planning a trip
When and where to find the Red-collared Widowbird
Hosts have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 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
- LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
- Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
- KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Euplectes ardens
Records
671
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Red-collared Widowbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-collared Widowbird in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Ithala 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 Red-collared Widowbird in South Africa?
The Red-collared Widowbird is most recorded in Gauteng (40% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (33% of records), Mpumalanga (15% of records), based on 671 iNaturalist observations. 27 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Red-collared Widowbird?
Sightings of the Red-collared Widowbird peak from Nov to Mar, based on 671 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Red-collared Widowbird?
The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. Red-collared widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in Eastern and Southern Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both which act as sexual ornaments. They are often associated with other widowbird and bishop species.
Stays that give back
Where to stay for a chance to see the Red-collared Widowbird
Every stay on the Red-collared Widowbird page lists the species its host has recorded on or near the property. A record is a sighting, never a promise.
See where to stay

