uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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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 KwaZulu-Natal~122 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 KwaZulu-Natal
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Mount Currie
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Drakensberg Rockjumper 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
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Birder friendly
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a 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 Drakensberg Rockjumper
Hosts have recorded the Drakensberg Rockjumper at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and Kamberg Nature Reserve.
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 KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Drakensberg Rockjumper at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve, Mount Currie Nature Reserve and Royal Natal 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. 11 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal 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.