Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls.
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
Records3,960 records
Curve from 3,960 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,960 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Spotted Eagle-Owl
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
From R 6,195a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
From R 350a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Spotted Eagle-Owl
Hosts have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Gamkaberg Nature Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- Dusk and after dark. Listen for calls; a torch at camp or a night drive works best.
- Daytime. Roosting, well hidden.
Where to base yourself
Western Cape
Goukamma · Gamkaberg · Rocherpan
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Bubo africanus
Records
3,960
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Spotted Eagle-Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Spotted Eagle-Owl in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kwandwe Private 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl in South Africa?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded in Western Cape (63% of records), Northern Cape (7% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (6% of records), based on 3,960 iNaturalist observations. 95 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Spotted Eagle-Owl?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Spotted Eagle-Owl?
The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 centimetres (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 centimetres (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow.