Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
4 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybrida
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a tern in the family Laridae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Feb
When Whiskered Tern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Feb
Records675 records
Curve from 675 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 Whiskered Tern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
675 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Whiskered Tern
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
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
From R 1,500a 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
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Whiskered Tern recorded here
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
From R 2,550a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Whiskered Tern recorded here
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
From R 2,170a night
Whiskered Tern recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Greystone Lodge
Dullstroom
From R 1,200a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Damara Trail (De Mond)
De Mond Nature Reserve
From R 3,690a night
Whiskered Tern recorded here
More stays nearby
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
From R 2,235a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Whiskered Tern
Hosts have recorded the Whiskered Tern at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and De Mond Nature 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
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalWestern Cape
De Mond · Keurbooms River
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Chlidonias hybrida
Records
675
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Whiskered Tern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Whiskered Tern in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Whiskered Tern at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, De Mond Nature Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Keurbooms River 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 Whiskered Tern in South Africa?
The Whiskered Tern is most recorded in Western Cape (39% of records), Gauteng (21% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (13% of records), based on 675 iNaturalist observations. 14 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Whiskered Tern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Whiskered Tern?
Sightings of the Whiskered Tern peak from Oct to Feb, based on 675 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Whiskered Tern?
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a tern in the family Laridae. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khelidonios, "swallow-like", from khelidon, "swallow". The specific hybridus is Latin for hybrid; Pallas thought it might be a hybrid of white-winged black tern and common tern, writing " Sterna fissipes et Hirundine natam ”.