uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
African Cuckoo
Cuculus gularis
The African cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jan to Feb
When African Cuckoo sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJan to Feb
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~8 records
Curve from 96 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where African Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
96 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
African Cuckoo recorded here
More stays nearby
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito
From R 13,000a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 4,280a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu
From R 1,280a night
Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
From R 5,400a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond
From R 5,990a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 1,140a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park
From R 1,691a night
Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Penwarn Farm
Underberg
From R 1,200a night
Birder friendly
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the African Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the African Cuckoo at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland 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
Cuculus gularis
Records
96
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Cuckoo in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Cuckoo at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Royal Natal National Park and other reserves. 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 African Cuckoo in South Africa?
The African Cuckoo is most recorded in Mpumalanga (52% of records), Limpopo (25% of records), Northern Cape (13% of records), based on 96 iNaturalist observations. 14 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the African Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Cuckoo?
Sightings of the African Cuckoo peak from Jan to Feb, based on 96 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the African Cuckoo?
The African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the African Cuckoo?
The African cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa where it migrates within the continent, generally arriving and breeding in any one locality during the rainy season. A fairly common bird, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".