Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Free State · Best Mar to May
3 places
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Abdim's Stork
Ciconia abdimii
The Abdim's stork (Ciconia abdimii), also known as white-bellied stork, is a black stork with grey legs, red knees and feet, grey bill and white underparts.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Abdim's Stork sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Records155 records
Curve from 155 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
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Abdim's Stork is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
155 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Abdim's Stork
Stays that give back
Across the Free State
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
Abdim's Stork recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
Abdim's Stork recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
Abdim's Stork recorded here
More stays nearby
Mvemve GrootPoort Lodge
Memel
From R 1,800a night
Birder friendly
Adamsview
Gariep Dam
From R 1,000a night
Highland Quarters
Clarens
From R 1,390a night
Kasteelkop Guest Farm
Frankfort
From R 640a night
Birder friendly
Monte Bello Estate
Vaalbank, Bloemfontein
From R 1,850a night
Mont d'Or Clarens
Clarens
From R 1,100a night
Liedjiesbos Urban Olive Farm
Bloemfontein
From R 1,700a night
Birder friendly
Camelroc Guest Farm
Caledonspoort, Fouriesburg
From R 1,000a night
Merino Guest Farm
Clarens
From R 900a night
The Midlands
Next stop
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Abdim's Stork
Hosts have recorded the Abdim's Stork at stays in or beside Golden Gate Highlands 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
Least Concern
Species
Ciconia abdimii
Records
155
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Abdim's Stork on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Abdim's Stork in Free State?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Abdim's Stork at stays in or beside Golden Gate Highlands 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 Abdim's Stork in South Africa?
The Abdim's Stork is most recorded in Northern Cape (36% of records), Limpopo (17% of records), Gauteng (16% of records), based on 155 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Free State have recorded the Abdim's Stork on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Abdim's Stork?
Sightings of the Abdim's Stork peak from Nov to Mar, based on 155 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Abdim's Stork?
The Abdim's Stork (Ciconia abdimii) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Abdim's Stork?
The Abdim's stork (Ciconia abdimii), also known as white-bellied stork, is a black stork with grey legs, red knees and feet, grey bill and white underparts. It has red facial skin in front of eye and blue skin near the bill in breeding season. It is the smallest species of stork, at 73 cm (29 in) and a weight of just over 1 kg (2.2 lbs).