uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
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Shelley's Francolin
Scleroptila shelleyi
Shelley's francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
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~48 records
Curve from 116 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Shelley's Francolin is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
116 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Shelley's Francolin
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 840a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 270a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Spioenkop
Spioenkop Resort
From R 240a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 360a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,070a night
Shelley's Francolin recorded here
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 1,150a night
Shelley's Francolin 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
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond
From R 5,990a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville
From R 1,140a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park
From R 1,691a night
Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Penwarn Farm
Underberg
From R 1,200a night
Birder friendly
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 Shelley's Francolin
Hosts have recorded the Shelley's Francolin at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and 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.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Scleroptila shelleyi
Records
116
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Shelley's Francolin on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Shelley's Francolin in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Shelley's Francolin at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Royal Natal National Park 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 Shelley's Francolin in South Africa?
The Shelley's Francolin is most recorded in Mpumalanga (43% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (41% of records), Limpopo (13% of records), based on 116 iNaturalist observations. 14 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Shelley's Francolin on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Shelley's Francolin?
The Shelley's Francolin 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; Giants Castle Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; 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 conservation status of the Shelley's Francolin?
The Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Shelley's Francolin?
Shelley's francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. The species is named after Sir Edward Shelley, cousin of George Ernest Shelley.