uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia.
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
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~597 records
Curve from 3,319 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
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Pied Kingfisher is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,319 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Pied Kingfisher
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 6,800a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tandweni Villa
Mkuze
From R 14,000a 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
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Mount Currie
Mount Currie Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Pied Kingfisher recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Pied Kingfisher 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
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 Pied Kingfisher
Hosts have recorded the Pied Kingfisher at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Giants Castle 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.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Ceryle rudis
Records
3,319
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Pied Kingfisher on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Pied Kingfisher in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Pied Kingfisher at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 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 Pied Kingfisher in South Africa?
The Pied Kingfisher is most recorded in Western Cape (31% of records), Mpumalanga (23% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (18% of records), based on 3,319 iNaturalist observations. 20 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Pied Kingfisher on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Pied Kingfisher?
The Pied Kingfisher 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. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Giants Castle Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Pied Kingfisher?
The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758, it has five recognised subspecies. Its black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish make it distinctive.