Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
4 places
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African Swamphen
Porphyrio madagascariensis
African swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a species of swamphen occurring in Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
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
Records1,304 records
Curve from 1,304 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. 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 African Swamphen is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,304 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Swamphen
Stays that give back
Across Limpopo
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
More stays nearby
Verkijken Cottage
Haenertsburg
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Bramasole Boutique Hotel
Magoebaskloof
Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,512 a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Cheetah
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,100 a night
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Giraffe · African elephant
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
Graceland Eco Retreat
Magoebaskloof
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,000 a night
Sunbird Lodge
Phalaborwa
Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,500 a night
Marataba Mountain Lodge
Marakele National Park
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Cape Vulture Lodge
Hoedspruit
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 4,000 a night
Zvakanaka Farm
Louis Trichardt
Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 650 a night
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Kelora Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 6,400 a night
Kamoka Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,278 a night
Monwana Villa
Thornybush Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Flaky bark thorn · Leadwood
From R 379 a night
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Cheetah
From R 331 a night
Monwana Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Knobthorn · Leadwood
From R 1,445 a night
Maroela Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Delagoa thorn · Knobthorn
From R 390 a night
Marataba Villa
Marakele National Park
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
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 African Swamphen
Hosts have recorded the African Swamphen at stays in or beside Kruger National 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
Species
Porphyrio madagascariensis
Records
1,304
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Swamphen on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Swamphen in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Swamphen at stays in or beside Kruger National 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 African Swamphen in South Africa?
The African Swamphen is most recorded in Western Cape (67% of records), Gauteng (14% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (8% of records), based on 1,304 iNaturalist observations. 4 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the African Swamphen on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Swamphen?
The African Swamphen 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. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the African Swamphen?
African swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis) is a species of swamphen occurring in Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen, which it resembles, but with bronze green or green-blue back and scapulars.