
Cape Cormorant
The Cape cormorant or Cape shag (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a bird endemic to the southwestern coasts of Africa.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 2,789 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Cape Cormorant is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,789 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Cormorant
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Cape Cormorant recorded here · Forest biome · Arum lily · Krantz aloe
From R 457 a night
Fynbos biome · Spekboom
Gives back to National Sea Rescue Institute
From R 2,460 a night
Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa and 1 other
From R 1,760 a night
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Giraffe · Impala
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 485 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Black backed jackal · Bushbuck
Gives back to Wilderness Foundation Africa
From R 2,600 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
Gives back to National Sea Rescue Institute
From R 1,050 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
From R 12,950 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Black wildebeest · Blesbok
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,592 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Nama-Karoo biome · Spekboom
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 3,100 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Spekboom
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 4,000 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Albany Thicket biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 2,000 a night
Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,200 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 600 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Grassland biome · Black wildebeest · Springbok
From R 449 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 2,093 a night
Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
Gives back to Wilderness Foundation Africa
Price on request
Albany Thicket biome · Black backed jackal · Spotted hyena
From R 1,490 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Blesbok · Springbok
From R 345 a night
Nama-Karoo biome · Spekboom
Gives back to Boundless
Price on request
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cape Cormorant
Hosts have recorded the Cape Cormorant at stays in or beside Tsitsikamma National 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.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Species
Phalacrocorax capensis
Records
2,789
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Cormorant on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Cormorant in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Cormorant at stays in or beside Tsitsikamma National 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 Cape Cormorant in South Africa?
The Cape Cormorant is most recorded in Western Cape (89% of records), Eastern Cape (8% of records), based on 2,789 iNaturalist observations. 1 place to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape has recorded the Cape Cormorant on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape Cormorant 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. Tsitsikamma National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Cape Cormorant?
The Cape cormorant or Cape shag (Phalacrocorax capensis) is a bird endemic to the southwestern coasts of Africa.
























