Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
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Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Merops nubicoides
The southern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) (formerly carmine bee-eater) occurs across sub-equatorial Africa, ranging from KwaZulu-Natal and Namibia to Gabon, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Dec to Apr
When Southern Carmine Bee-eater sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsDec to Apr
Records566 records
Curve from 566 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 Southern Carmine Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
566 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Southern Carmine Bee-eater
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
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
From R 379a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Maroela Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Southern Carmine Bee-eater recorded here
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the Southern Carmine Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve 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 · Timbavati
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalNorth 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
Merops nubicoides
Records
566
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Southern Carmine Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Southern Carmine Bee-eater in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Southern Carmine Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mapungubwe National Park, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Madikwe Game Reserve 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 Southern Carmine Bee-eater in South Africa?
The Southern Carmine Bee-eater is most recorded in Mpumalanga (52% of records), Limpopo (46% of records), based on 566 iNaturalist observations. 56 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Southern Carmine Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Southern Carmine Bee-eater?
Sightings of the Southern Carmine Bee-eater peak from Dec to Apr, based on 566 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Southern Carmine Bee-eater?
The southern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) (formerly carmine bee-eater) occurs across sub-equatorial Africa, ranging from KwaZulu-Natal and Namibia to Gabon, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya.