Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Free State · Best Mar to May
3 places
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Natal Spurfowl
Pternistis natalensis
The Natal spurfowl or Natal francolin (Pternistis natalensis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
Species insights
When to visit
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.
Best monthsAny month
Records1,842 records
Curve from 1,842 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Natal Spurfowl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,842 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Natal Spurfowl
Stays that give back
Across the Free State
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
Natal Spurfowl recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
Natal Spurfowl 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 Natal Spurfowl
Hosts have recorded the Natal Spurfowl 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
Species
Pternistis natalensis
Records
1,842
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Natal Spurfowl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Natal Spurfowl in Free State?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Natal Spurfowl 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 Natal Spurfowl in South Africa?
The Natal Spurfowl is most recorded in Mpumalanga (40% of records), Limpopo (30% of records), North West (15% of records), based on 1,842 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Free State have recorded the Natal Spurfowl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Natal Spurfowl?
The Natal Spurfowl 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. Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Mar-May, Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Natal Spurfowl?
The Natal spurfowl or Natal francolin (Pternistis natalensis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.