iSimangaliso Wetland Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
2 places
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Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybrida
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a tern in the family Laridae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Feb
When Whiskered Tern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Feb
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~88 records
Curve from 675 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 Whiskered Tern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
675 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Whiskered Tern
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Whiskered Tern recorded here · Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Whiskered Tern 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
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Common eland
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 1 other
From R 6,800 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
Birdsong Cottage
Howick
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck · Vervet monkey
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 795 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 Whiskered Tern
Hosts have recorded the Whiskered Tern 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
Chlidonias hybrida
Records
675
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Whiskered Tern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Whiskered Tern in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Whiskered Tern 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 Whiskered Tern in South Africa?
The Whiskered Tern is most recorded in Western Cape (39% of records), Gauteng (21% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (13% of records), based on 675 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Whiskered Tern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Whiskered Tern?
Sightings of the Whiskered Tern peak from Oct to Feb, based on 675 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Whiskered Tern?
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a tern in the family Laridae. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khelidonios, "swallow-like", from khelidon, "swallow". The specific hybridus is Latin for hybrid; Pallas thought it might be a hybrid of white-winged black tern and common tern, writing " Sterna fissipes et Hirundine natam ”.