Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
7 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Merops persicus
The blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Dec to Apr
When Blue-cheeked Bee-eater sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsDec to Apr
Recorded in Limpopo~41 records
Curve from 676 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
676 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
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
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Cheetah
From R 331 a night
Maroela Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Delagoa thorn · Knobthorn
From R 390 a night
Tamboti Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Cheetah · Delagoa thorn
From R 771 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
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
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 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 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
Merops persicus
Records
676
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 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 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater in South Africa?
The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (77% of records), Limpopo (6% of records), Eastern Cape (5% of records), based on 676 iNaturalist observations. 7 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater?
Sightings of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater peak from Dec to Apr, based on 676 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater?
The blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and persicus is Latin for "Persian".