Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
18 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Fan-tailed Widowbird
Euplectes axillaris
The fan-tailed widowbird (Euplectes axillaris), also known as the red-shouldered widowbird, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae, which is native to grassy and swampy areas of the tropical and subtropical Afrotropics.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Feb
When Fan-tailed Widowbird sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Feb
Records655 records
Curve from 655 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Fan-tailed Widowbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
655 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Fan-tailed Widowbird
Stays that give back
Across Limpopo
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
From R 379a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Maroela Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Roodewal Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,966a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Boulders Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 7,295a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Bateleur Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 2,820a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Sirheni Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,634a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Punda Maria Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 319a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Mopani Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,522a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Tamboti Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 771a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Shingwedzi Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 378a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,670a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
Pafuri Border Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 3,458a night
Fan-tailed Widowbird recorded here
More stays nearby
Graceland Eco Retreat
Magoebaskloof
From R 2,000a night
Bramasole Boutique Hotel
Magoebaskloof
From R 1,512a night
Birder friendly
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 1,100a night
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Sunbird Lodge
Phalaborwa
From R 1,500a 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 Fan-tailed Widowbird
Hosts have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird 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
Euplectes axillaris
Records
655
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Fan-tailed Widowbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Fan-tailed Widowbird in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird 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 Fan-tailed Widowbird in South Africa?
The Fan-tailed Widowbird is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (73% of records), Mpumalanga (12% of records), Gauteng (8% of records), based on 655 iNaturalist observations. 18 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Fan-tailed Widowbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Fan-tailed Widowbird?
Sightings of the Fan-tailed Widowbird peak from Oct to Feb, based on 655 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Fan-tailed Widowbird?
The fan-tailed widowbird (Euplectes axillaris), also known as the red-shouldered widowbird, is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae, which is native to grassy and swampy areas of the tropical and subtropical Afrotropics.