Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
4 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Merops hirundineus
The swallow-tailed bee-eater (Merops hirundineus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.
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
Recorded in Limpopo~56 records
Curve from 466 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
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
468 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
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
Vhembe Wilderness Camp
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 1,044a night
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater recorded here
Makulu Birders Cottage at Wilds Uitvlugt
Rust de Winter
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Mazhou Camp Site
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 339a night
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater recorded here
Leokwe Rest Camp
Mapungubwe National Park
From R 1,743a night
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater 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
Cape Vulture Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 4,000a night
Birder friendly
Marataba Mountain Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Zvakanaka Farm
Louis Trichardt
From R 650a night
Birder friendly
Kelora Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
From R 6,400a night
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Kamoka Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
From R 3,278a night
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
From R 379a night
Monwana Villa
Thornybush Game Reserve
Price on request
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a 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 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe 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
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Merops hirundineus
Records
468
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe 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 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater in South Africa?
The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is most recorded in Northern Cape (79% of records), Limpopo (12% of records), based on 468 iNaturalist observations. 8 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater?
The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater 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; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater?
The Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops hirundineus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Swallow-tailed Bee-eater?
The swallow-tailed bee-eater (Merops hirundineus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in savannah woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is partially migratory, moving in response to rainfall patterns.