Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
8 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Jan
When European Bee-eater sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Jan
Recorded in Mpumalanga~323 records
Curve from 1,536 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where European Bee-eater is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,536 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the European Bee-eater
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater 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
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater 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
European Bee-eater 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
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
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Lower Sabie Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Cheetah · Delagoa thorn
From R 390 a night
Skukuza Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · African elephant · Cape buffalo
From R 390 a night
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Savanna biome · Aardvark · African elephant
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
European Bee-eater recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
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
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 European Bee-eater
Hosts have recorded the European Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature 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 · Timbavati
LimpopoSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Merops apiaster
Records
1,536
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the European Bee-eater on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the European Bee-eater in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the European Bee-eater at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature 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 European Bee-eater in South Africa?
The European Bee-eater is most recorded in Mpumalanga (21% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), Western Cape (15% of records), based on 1,536 iNaturalist observations. 15 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the European Bee-eater on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the European Bee-eater?
Sightings of the European Bee-eater peak from Nov to Jan, based on 1,536 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the European Bee-eater?
The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and apiaster is Latin, also meaning "bee-eater", from apis, "bee". It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa.