What is the Spotted Eagle-Owl?

The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 centimetres (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 centimetres (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow.

Go Birding

Spotted Eagle-Owl

Bubo africanus

The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordSpotted Eagle-Owl3 stays list it on site or nearby

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

Records3,960 records

Curve from 3,960 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

3,960 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Spotted Eagle-Owl

Places to stay

3 results in Limpopo

Izingwe Lodge

Welgevonden Reserve, Vaalwater

Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Savanna biome · 15 birds recorded · Aardvark, Banded mongoose · Hiking, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Inzalo Safari Lodge

Welgevonden Reserve, Vaalwater

Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Savanna biome · 15 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Tlopi Tented Camp

Marakele National Park

Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Savanna biome · 45 birds recorded · African elephant, Leopard

From R 1,866 per night

More stays nearby

Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Limpopo

Savanna biome · 27 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Guided walk, Game drives

Price on request

Maninghi Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · 8 birds recorded · Giraffe, African elephant · Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa

Limpopo

Birder friendly · Forest biome · 16 birds recorded · Fishing, Guided walk

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 11,820 per night

Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa

Limpopo

Birder friendly · Forest biome · 16 birds recorded · Stargazing, Fishing

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 17,120 per night

Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa

Limpopo

Birder friendly · Forest biome · 16 birds recorded · Fishing, Guided walk

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 8,380 per night

Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa

Limpopo

Birder friendly · Forest biome · 16 birds recorded · Leopard, Spotted hyena · Fishing, Guided walk

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 11,820 per night

Laluka Safari Lodge

Vaalwater

Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Leopard, Lion · Spa, Hiking

Price on request

Phelwana Game Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · 2 birds recorded · Giraffe, Cheetah · Safaris, Game drives

Supports DAKTARI Bush School

From R 1,100 per night

Graceland Eco Retreat

Magoebaskloof

Savanna biome · Hiking

From R 2,000 per night

Makalali Main Lodge

Limpopo

Savanna biome

Price on request

Makalali River Lodge

Limpopo

Savanna biome

Price on request

Sofala Game Farm

Tolwe

Birder friendly

Price on request

Sunbird Lodge

Phalaborwa

Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Stargazing, Game drives

From R 1,500 per night

Makulu Birders Cottage at Wilds Uitvlugt

Rust de Winter

Birder friendly · Savanna biome · 8 birds recorded · Game drives

Supports BirdLife South Africa

Price on request

Cape Vulture Lodge

Hoedspruit

Birder friendly · Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Spa, Mountain biking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 4,000 per night

Bramasole Boutique Hotel

Magoebaskloof

Birder friendly · Forest biome

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,512 per night

Zvakanaka Farm

Louis Trichardt

Birder friendly · Savanna biome · 12 birds recorded

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 650 per night

Kelora Bush Camp

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome

Supports DAKTARI Bush School

From R 6,400 per night

Kamoka Bush Camp

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · Stargazing

Supports DAKTARI Bush School

From R 3,278 per night

Tuskers Safari Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · Leopard, Lion · Game drives

Supports DAKTARI Bush School

Price on request

Parsons Hilltop Safari Camps

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · Leopard, Lion · Spa, Guided walk

Supports DAKTARI Bush School

Price on request

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Spotted Eagle-Owl

Hosts have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Welgevonden Game Reserve and Marakele 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

Marakele

Guided drives from a lodge

A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.

Where hosts record it

Welgevonden

Species

Bubo africanus

Records

3 960

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Spotted Eagle-Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Which parks and reserves are best for the Spotted Eagle-Owl in Limpopo?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Welgevonden Game Reserve and Marakele 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl in South Africa?

The Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded in Western Cape (63% of records), Northern Cape (7% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (6% of records), based on 3 960 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Spotted Eagle-Owl?

The Spotted Eagle-Owl 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. Welgevonden Game Reserve: May-Sep, dry season; Marakele National Park: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.