Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Wire-tailed Swallow
Hirundo smithii
The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.
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
Records806 records
Curve from 806 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 Wire-tailed Swallow is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
806 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Wire-tailed Swallow
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
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
From R 379a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Maroela Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Wire-tailed Swallow recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Wire-tailed Swallow 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 Wire-tailed Swallow
Hosts have recorded the Wire-tailed Swallow at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and iSimangaliso Wetland 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
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in Limpopo
KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso Wetland · Ithala · Weenen
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Hirundo smithii
Records
806
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Wire-tailed Swallow on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Wire-tailed Swallow in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Wire-tailed Swallow at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve and Weenen Game 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 Wire-tailed Swallow in South Africa?
The Wire-tailed Swallow is most recorded in Mpumalanga (46% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (30% of records), Limpopo (25% of records), based on 806 iNaturalist observations. 48 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Wire-tailed Swallow on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Wire-tailed Swallow?
The Wire-tailed Swallow 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; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Ithala Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Wire-tailed Swallow?
The Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Wire-tailed Swallow?
The wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It has two subspecies: H. s. smithii, which occurs throughout Africa, and H. s. filifera, which is found in southern and southeastern Asia. It is mainly resident, but populations in Pakistan and northern India migrate further south in winter. The genus name Hirundo is the Latin word for swallow.