Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
4 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Black Crake
Zapornia flavirostra
The black crake is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae.
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 Mpumalanga~492 records
Curve from 1,822 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
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Black Crake is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,822 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Black Crake
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Impala · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,980 a night
Forellenhof Guest Farm
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
Greystone Lodge
Dullstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,200 a night
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Black Crake recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,300 a night
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Aardvark · African elephant
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
More stays nearby
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,800 a night
Mvuradona Safari Lodge
Marloth Park
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Warthog
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,473 a night
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 1 other
From R 22,680 a night
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
Price on request
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 9,024 a night
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Leadwood · Leopard
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 28,990 a night
Ziziphus River Lodge
Mjejane Game Reserve, Hectorspruit
Savanna biome · Hippopotamus · African elephant
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 14,000 a night
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
Hazyview
Savanna biome · Jackalberry · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,500 a night
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
The Cowshed
Lydenburg
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,700 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 Black Crake
Hosts have recorded the Black Crake at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
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.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Zapornia flavirostra
Records
1,822
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Black Crake on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Black Crake in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Black Crake at stays in or beside Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve. 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 Black Crake in South Africa?
The Black Crake is most recorded in Western Cape (36% of records), Mpumalanga (27% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (16% of records), based on 1,822 iNaturalist observations. 11 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the Black Crake on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Black Crake?
The Black Crake 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; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Black Crake?
The black crake is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae. It breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa except in very arid areas. It undertakes some seasonal movements in those parts of its range which are subject to drought. No subspecies have been described.