Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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Rock Dove
Columba livia
The rock dove or rock pigeon (/ˈpɪdʒ.ən/ also /ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/; Columba livia) is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons).:624 In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon".
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
Records2,039 records
Curve from 2,039 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 Rock Dove is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,039 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Rock Dove
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a 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
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking 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
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
From R 4,640a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
From R 1,180a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Aasvogelkrans Farm Cottages & Camping
Nieu Bethesda
From R 1,760a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Cederberg - Kliphuis
Cederberg Wilderness Area
From R 180a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Gamkaberg Campsite
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
From R 1,750a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
From R 1,990a night
Rock Dove recorded here
Algeria Cottages
Cederberg Wilderness Area
From R 1,990a night
Rock Dove recorded here
The Klein Karoo
Next stop
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Rock Dove
Hosts have recorded the Rock Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Rocherpan 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
Western Cape
Cederberg Wilderness Area · Gamkaberg · Rocherpan
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland
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
Columba livia
Records
2,039
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Rock Dove on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Rock Dove in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Rock Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland 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 Rock Dove in South Africa?
The Rock Dove is most recorded in Western Cape (51% of records), Gauteng (31% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (8% of records), based on 2,039 iNaturalist observations. 42 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Rock Dove on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Rock Dove?
The Rock Dove 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. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Rock Dove?
The rock dove or rock pigeon (/ˈpɪdʒ.ən/ also /ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/; Columba livia) is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons).:624 In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon".