
European Nightjar
The European nightjar, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia.
Species insights
Most records Nov to Mar
When European Nightjar sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Curve from 188 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.
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where European Nightjar is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
188 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the European Nightjar
Stays that give back
Across Limpopo
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
European Nightjar recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Cheetah
From R 1,670 a night
Birder friendly · Grassland biome · Bushbuck
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,512 a night
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Cheetah
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,100 a night
Savanna biome · Giraffe · African elephant
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,000 a night
Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,500 a night
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 4,000 a night
Birder friendly · Savanna biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 650 a night
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 6,400 a night
Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,278 a night
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Savanna biome · Flaky bark thorn · Leadwood
From R 379 a night
Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Cheetah
From R 331 a night
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Savanna biome · Knobthorn · Leadwood
From R 1,445 a night
Savanna biome · Delagoa thorn · Knobthorn
From R 390 a night
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the European Nightjar
Hosts have recorded the European Nightjar at stays in or beside Kruger National Park.
Best hours of the day
- Dusk and after dark. Listen for calls; a torch at camp or a night drive works best.
- Daytime. Roosting, well hidden.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Caprimulgus europaeus
Records
188
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the European Nightjar on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the European Nightjar in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the European Nightjar 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 European Nightjar in South Africa?
The European Nightjar is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (39% of records), Limpopo (26% of records), Mpumalanga (17% of records), based on 188 iNaturalist observations. 5 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the European Nightjar on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the European Nightjar?
Sightings of the European Nightjar peak from Nov to Mar, based on 188 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the European Nightjar?
The European nightjar, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia. The Latin generic name refers to the old myth that the nocturnal nightjar suckled goats, causing them to cease to give milk.
























