uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Common Cuckoo sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~10 records
Curve from 93 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 Common Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
93 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Common Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mount Currie
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Common Cuckoo recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Common 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
Berghouse & Cottages
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 1,950a night
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 Common Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the Common 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 canorus
Records
93
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Common Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Common Cuckoo in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Common Cuckoo at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Mount Currie Nature Reserve 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 Common Cuckoo in South Africa?
The Common Cuckoo is most recorded in Mpumalanga (38% of records), Western Cape (23% of records), Limpopo (22% of records), based on 93 iNaturalist observations. 13 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Common Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Common Cuckoo?
Sightings of the Common Cuckoo peak from Nov to Mar, based on 93 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Common Cuckoo?
The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Common Cuckoo?
The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals.