Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Northern Cape · Best Aug to Oct
9 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
South African Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon spilodera
The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native to central−western and southern Africa.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Nov
When South African Cliff Swallow sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Nov
Records166 records
Curve from 166 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
Free State and beyond
Provinces where South African Cliff Swallow is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
166 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the South African Cliff Swallow
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Camdeboo Rest Camp
Camdeboo National Park
From R 345a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Nossob Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Karoo Rest Camp
Karoo National Park
From R 437a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Gharagab Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Vhembe Wilderness Camp
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 1,044a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Mazhou Camp Site
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 339a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Kalahari Tented Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,314a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Urikaruus Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Leokwe Rest Camp
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 1,743a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
South African Cliff Swallow recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Birder friendly
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the South African Cliff Swallow
Hosts have recorded the South African Cliff Swallow at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Golden Gate Highlands National 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
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeFree State
Golden Gate Highlands
Free StateSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Free StateLimpopo
Mapungubwe
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Camdeboo
Eastern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Petrochelidon spilodera
Records
166
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the South African Cliff Swallow on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the South African Cliff Swallow in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the South African Cliff Swallow at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Camdeboo National Park, Karoo National Park and Spioenkop Dam Nature 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 South African Cliff Swallow in South Africa?
The South African Cliff Swallow is most recorded in Free State (33% of records), Mpumalanga (24% of records), North West (13% of records), based on 166 iNaturalist observations. 21 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the South African Cliff Swallow on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the South African Cliff Swallow?
Sightings of the South African Cliff Swallow peak from Oct to Nov, based on 166 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the South African Cliff Swallow?
The South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the South African Cliff Swallow?
The South African cliff swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera), also known as the South African swallow, is a species of bird in the family Hirundinidae native to central−western and southern Africa.