uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Diederik Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx caprius
The diederik cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius), formerly dideric cuckoo or didric cuckoo, and sometimes called Diederik's cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners and the anis.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Feb
When Diederik Cuckoo sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Feb
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~274 records
Curve from 1,306 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 Diederik Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,306 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Diederik Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
From R 795a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Antbear Eco Lodge
Estcourt
From R 2,000a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Mount Currie
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Diederik Cuckoo recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Diederik 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
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 Diederik Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the Diederik Cuckoo at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 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
Chrysococcyx caprius
Records
1,306
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Diederik Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Diederik Cuckoo in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Diederik Cuckoo at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve and Kamberg 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 Diederik Cuckoo in South Africa?
The Diederik Cuckoo is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (21% of records), Gauteng (17% of records), Mpumalanga (17% of records), based on 1,306 iNaturalist observations. 19 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Diederik Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Diederik Cuckoo?
Sightings of the Diederik Cuckoo peak from Nov to Feb, based on 1,306 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Diederik Cuckoo?
The diederik cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius), formerly dideric cuckoo or didric cuckoo, and sometimes called Diederik's cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners and the anis.