
Knysna Woodpecker
The Knysna woodpecker (Campethera notata) is a species of bird in the family Picidae.
Species insights
Most records Dec to Jan
When Knysna Woodpecker sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Curve from 232 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 Knysna Woodpecker is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
232 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Knysna Woodpecker
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Giraffe · Impala
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 485 a night
Knysna Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Knysna Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Knysna Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Knysna Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Knysna Woodpecker recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
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
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
From R 12,950 a night
Albany Thicket biome · Black wildebeest · Blesbok
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,592 a night
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 · 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
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 600 a night
Forest biome · Arum lily · Krantz aloe
From R 457 a night
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 Knysna Woodpecker
Hosts have recorded the Knysna Woodpecker at stays in or beside Kwandwe Private 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.
Ways to look
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Near Threatened
Species
Campethera notata
Records
232
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Knysna Woodpecker on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Knysna Woodpecker in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Knysna Woodpecker at stays in or beside Kwandwe Private 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 Knysna Woodpecker in South Africa?
The Knysna Woodpecker is most recorded in Western Cape (59% of records), Eastern Cape (38% of records), based on 232 iNaturalist observations. 6 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Knysna Woodpecker on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Knysna Woodpecker?
Sightings of the Knysna Woodpecker peak from Dec to Jan, based on 232 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Knysna Woodpecker?
The Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera notata) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Knysna Woodpecker?
The Knysna woodpecker (Campethera notata) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss. It belongs to a species complex that includes the golden-tailed and Mombasa woodpeckers.
























