Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
8 places
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Village Weaver
Ploceus cucullatus
The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver (the latter leading to easy confusion with P. melanocephalus), is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
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
Records2,847 records
Curve from 2,847 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Village Weaver is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,847 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Village Weaver
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Common eland
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 1 other
From R 6,800 a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 a night
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,800 a night
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Impala · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,980 a night
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to Lessons in Conservation (LiC)
From R 600 a night
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Vervet monkey
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 795 a night
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,300 a night
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Giraffe
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 240 a night
Kwandwe Fort House
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Village Weaver
Hosts have recorded the Village Weaver at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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 · Timbavati
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Kwandwe
Eastern CapeGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in MpumalangaKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Species
Ploceus cucullatus
Records
2,847
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Village Weaver on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Village Weaver in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Village Weaver at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and iSimangaliso Wetland 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 Village Weaver in South Africa?
The Village Weaver is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (65% of records), Mpumalanga (13% of records), Eastern Cape (8% of records), based on 2,847 iNaturalist observations. 29 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Village Weaver on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Village Weaver?
The Village Weaver 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. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Kwandwe Private Game Reserve: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Village Weaver?
The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver (the latter leading to easy confusion with P. melanocephalus), is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been introduced to Hispaniola, Mauritius and Réunion.