Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Spotted Thick-knee
Burhinus capensis
The spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) also known as the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, is a wader in the family Burhinidae.
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
Records3,399 records
Curve from 3,399 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 Thick-knee is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,399 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Spotted Thick-knee
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 5,060a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
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
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
From R 1,155a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
From R 350a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
From R 630a night
Spotted Thick-knee recorded here
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Price on request
Spotted Thick-knee 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 Thick-knee
Hosts have recorded the Spotted Thick-knee at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
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 · Rocherpan · De Hoop
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeLimpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern CapeEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern Cape
Ways to look
Species
Burhinus capensis
Records
3,399
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Spotted Thick-knee on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Spotted Thick-knee in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spotted Thick-knee at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and De Hoop Nature 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 Thick-knee in South Africa?
The Spotted Thick-knee is most recorded in Western Cape (60% of records), Gauteng (20% of records), Eastern Cape (6% of records), based on 3,399 iNaturalist observations. 75 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Spotted Thick-knee on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Spotted Thick-knee?
The Spotted Thick-knee 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; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Spotted Thick-knee?
The spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) also known as the spotted dikkop or Cape thick-knee, is a wader in the family Burhinidae. It is native to tropical regions of central and southern Africa.