Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Free State · Best Mar to May
3 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Drakensberg Rockjumper
Chaetops aurantiusNear threatened
The Drakensberg rockjumper or orange-breasted rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius) is a medium-sized insectivorous passerine bird endemic to the alpine grasslands and rock outcrops of the Drakensberg Mountains of southeastern South Africa and Lesotho.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jan to Feb
When Drakensberg Rockjumper sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJan to Feb
Recorded in Free State~25 records
Curve from 190 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.
Where you'll find it
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Drakensberg Rockjumper is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
190 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Drakensberg Rockjumper
Stays that give back
Across the Free State
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper 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 Drakensberg Rockjumper
Hosts have recorded the Drakensberg Rockjumper 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
Near Threatened
Species
Chaetops aurantius
Records
190
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Drakensberg Rockjumper on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Drakensberg Rockjumper in Free State?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Drakensberg Rockjumper 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 Drakensberg Rockjumper in South Africa?
The Drakensberg Rockjumper is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (64% of records), Eastern Cape (23% of records), Free State (13% of records), based on 190 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Free State have recorded the Drakensberg Rockjumper on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Drakensberg Rockjumper?
Sightings of the Drakensberg Rockjumper peak from Jan to Feb, based on 190 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Drakensberg Rockjumper?
The Drakensberg Rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Drakensberg Rockjumper?
The Drakensberg rockjumper or orange-breasted rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius) is a medium-sized insectivorous passerine bird endemic to the alpine grasslands and rock outcrops of the Drakensberg Mountains of southeastern South Africa and Lesotho.