Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
3 places
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Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes ardens
The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Red-collared Widowbird sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~221 records
Curve from 671 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
Gauteng and beyond
Provinces where Red-collared Widowbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
671 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Red-collared Widowbird
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Antbear Eco Lodge
Estcourt
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 2,000 a night
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
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Mpila Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Red-collared Widowbird recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 1,420 a night
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Hilltop Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Red-collared Widowbird recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 900 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Red-collared Widowbird recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
Red-collared Widowbird recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 130 a night
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
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
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
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-collared Widowbird
Hosts have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird at stays in or beside Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and 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
Euplectes ardens
Records
671
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Red-collared Widowbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Red-collared Widowbird in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird at stays in or beside Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and 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 Red-collared Widowbird in South Africa?
The Red-collared Widowbird is most recorded in Gauteng (40% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (33% of records), Mpumalanga (15% of records), based on 671 iNaturalist observations. 8 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Red-collared Widowbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Red-collared Widowbird?
Sightings of the Red-collared Widowbird peak from Nov to Mar, based on 671 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Red-collared Widowbird?
The red-collared widowbird (Euplectes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. Red-collared widowbirds are found in grasslands and bush clearings in Eastern and Southern Africa. They are known for their long tails and brilliant red badges, both which act as sexual ornaments. They are often associated with other widowbird and bishop species.