
Cape Gannet
The Cape gannet (Morus capensis) originally Sula capensis, is a large seabird of the gannet family, Sulidae.
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 907 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 Gannet is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
907 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Gannet
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Cape Gannet recorded here
Cape Gannet recorded here
Cape Gannet recorded here
Cape Gannet recorded here
Cape Gannet recorded here
Cape Gannet recorded here
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Birder friendly
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cape Gannet
Hosts have recorded the Cape Gannet at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and 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
Morus capensis
Records
907
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Gannet on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Gannet in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Gannet at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park and 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 Gannet in South Africa?
The Cape Gannet is most recorded in Western Cape (69% of records), Eastern Cape (23% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (7% of records), based on 907 iNaturalist observations. 6 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Cape Gannet on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Gannet?
The Cape Gannet 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. Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; 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 Gannet?
The Cape Gannet (Morus capensis) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Cape Gannet?
The Cape gannet (Morus capensis) originally Sula capensis, is a large seabird of the gannet family, Sulidae.

























