Ithala Game Reserve
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
1 place
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Mountain Wheatear
Myrmecocichla monticola
The mountain wheatear or mountain chat (Myrmecocichla monticola) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that is endemic to southwestern Africa.
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
Records868 records
Curve from 868 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
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Mountain Wheatear is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
868 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Mountain Wheatear
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
Mountain Wheatear recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 130 a night
More stays nearby
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
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Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome
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Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
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Makongo Hills Lodge
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Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust
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Sasi Bush Lodge
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Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
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Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 5,990 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
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Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville
Grassland biome · Spotted hyena · Leopard
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 1,140 a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 1,691 a night
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Forest biome · Humpback whale · Southern right whale
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Penwarn Farm
Underberg
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Blesbok · Serval
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 3 others
From R 1,200 a night
Berghouse & Cottages
Drakensberg, Bergville
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 1,950 a night
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Birder friendly · Forest biome · Hippopotamus · Nile crocodile
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation and 1 other
Price on request
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Common eland
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 1 other
From R 6,800 a night
Qambathi Mountain Lodge
Nottingham Road
Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Serval
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 4,100 a night
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
3 Driftwood Ballito
Ballito
Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome
Gives back to National Sea Rescue Institute
From R 3,995 a night
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Vervet monkey
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 795 a night
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Biweda Nguni Lodge
Mkuze
Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 2 others
From R 1,840 a night
Tandweni Villa
Mkuze
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · African elephant · Cape buffalo
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 14,000 a night
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Zululand Lodge
Hluhluwe
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Nyala
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,280 a night
Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Giraffe
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 240 a 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 Mountain Wheatear
Hosts have recorded the Mountain Wheatear at stays in or beside Ithala Game 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.
Species
Myrmecocichla monticola
Records
868
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Mountain Wheatear on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Mountain Wheatear in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Mountain Wheatear at stays in or beside Ithala Game Reserve. 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 Mountain Wheatear in South Africa?
The Mountain Wheatear is most recorded in Northern Cape (32% of records), Western Cape (29% of records), Gauteng (21% of records), based on 868 iNaturalist observations. 1 place to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal has recorded the Mountain Wheatear on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Mountain Wheatear?
The Mountain Wheatear 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. Ithala Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Mountain Wheatear?
The mountain wheatear or mountain chat (Myrmecocichla monticola) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that is endemic to southwestern Africa.