Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Saddle-billed Stork
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensisNear threatened
The saddle-billed stork, or saddlebill (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae.
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
Records1,654 records
Curve from 1,654 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 Saddle-billed Stork is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,654 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Saddle-billed Stork
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
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
From R 300a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
From R 1,460a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Scolopia Cottage
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
From R 1,780a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Saddle-billed Stork recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Saddle-billed Stork 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 Saddle-billed Stork
Hosts have recorded the Saddle-billed Stork at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Sabi Sand 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
Limpopo
Kruger · Mapungubwe · Timbavati
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland · Ithala
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Near Threatened
Species
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Records
1,654
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Saddle-billed Stork on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Saddle-billed Stork in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Saddle-billed Stork at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Mapungubwe National 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 Saddle-billed Stork in South Africa?
The Saddle-billed Stork is most recorded in Mpumalanga (55% of records), Limpopo (33% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (11% of records), based on 1,654 iNaturalist observations. 75 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Saddle-billed Stork on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Saddle-billed Stork?
The Saddle-billed Stork 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; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Saddle-billed Stork?
The Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Saddle-billed Stork?
The saddle-billed stork, or saddlebill (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya south to South Africa, and in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad in west Africa. Considered Endangered in South Africa.