Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Shaft-tailed Whydah
Vidua regia
The shaft-tailed whydah or queen whydah (Vidua regia) is a small, sparrow-like bird in the genus Vidua.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Dec to Mar
When Shaft-tailed Whydah sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsDec to Mar
Records248 records
Curve from 248 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
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Shaft-tailed Whydah is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
248 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Shaft-tailed Whydah
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
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Shaft-tailed Whydah recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Shaft-tailed Whydah 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 Shaft-tailed Whydah
Hosts have recorded the Shaft-tailed Whydah at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Mapungubwe National 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
Limpopo
Kruger · Mapungubwe · Marakele
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi · Mokala
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeNorth West
Madikwe
North WestStays in North West
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Vidua regia
Records
248
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Shaft-tailed Whydah on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Shaft-tailed Whydah in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Shaft-tailed Whydah at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Mokala National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve and Marakele 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 Shaft-tailed Whydah in South Africa?
The Shaft-tailed Whydah is most recorded in Northern Cape (42% of records), Limpopo (32% of records), North West (21% of records), based on 248 iNaturalist observations. 61 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Shaft-tailed Whydah on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Shaft-tailed Whydah?
Sightings of the Shaft-tailed Whydah peak from Dec to Mar, based on 248 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Shaft-tailed Whydah?
The shaft-tailed whydah or queen whydah (Vidua regia) is a small, sparrow-like bird in the genus Vidua. During the breeding season the male has black crown and upper body plumage, golden breast and four elongated black tail shaft feathers with expanded tips. After the breeding season is over, the male sheds its long tail and grows olive brown female-like plumage.