
Sanderling
The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small wading bird.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 526 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.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Sanderling is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
526 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Sanderling
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito · From R 13,000 a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 4,280 a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu · From R 1,280 a night

Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville · From R 5,400 a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond · From R 5,990 a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park · Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 1,140 a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park · From R 1,691 a night
Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park · Price on request
Penwarn Farm
Underberg · From R 1,200 a night

Birder friendly
Berghouse & Cottages
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 1,950 a night
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 6,800 a night
Birder friendly
Qambathi Mountain Lodge
Nottingham Road · From R 4,100 a night
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
3 Driftwood Ballito
Ballito · From R 3,995 a night
Birdsong Cottage
Howick · From R 795 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Biweda Nguni Lodge
Mkuze · From R 1,840 a night

Birder friendly
Tandweni Villa
Mkuze · From R 14,000 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Zululand Lodge
Hluhluwe · From R 3,280 a night
Birder friendly
Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe · From R 240 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Sanderling
Hosts have recorded the Sanderling at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland 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
Calidris alba
Records
526
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Sanderling on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Sanderling in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Sanderling at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland 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 Sanderling in South Africa?
The Sanderling is most recorded in Western Cape (52% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Eastern Cape (18% of records), based on 526 iNaturalist observations. 1 place to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal has recorded the Sanderling on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Sanderling?
The Sanderling 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. iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Sanderling?
The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small wading bird. The name derives from Old English sand-yrðling, "sand-ploughman". The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific alba is Latin for "white".
























