iSimangaliso Wetland Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
2 places
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Red-chested Cuckoo
Cuculus solitarius
The red-chested cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Jan
When Red-chested Cuckoo sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Jan
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~185 records
Curve from 684 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 Red-chested Cuckoo is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
685 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Red-chested Cuckoo
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Common eland
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 1 other
From R 6,800 a night
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Vervet monkey
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 795 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Red-chested Cuckoo recorded here · Forest biome · Humpback whale · Southern right whale
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Forest biome · Hippopotamus · Nile crocodile
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation and 1 other
Price on request
More stays nearby
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito
Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 13,000 a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 4,280 a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust
From R 1,280 a night
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 2 others
From R 5,400 a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 5,990 a night
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
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
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
&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
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
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 Red-chested Cuckoo
Hosts have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park 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.
Species
Cuculus solitarius
Records
685
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Red-chested Cuckoo on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-chested Cuckoo in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 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 Red-chested Cuckoo in South Africa?
The Red-chested Cuckoo is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (27% of records), Western Cape (22% of records), Gauteng (16% of records), based on 685 iNaturalist observations. 5 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Red-chested Cuckoo on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Red-chested Cuckoo?
Sightings of the Red-chested Cuckoo peak from Oct to Jan, based on 684 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Red-chested Cuckoo?
The red-chested cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is a medium-sized bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. In Afrikaans, it is known as "Piet-my-vrou", after its call.