Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
4 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Village Weaver
Ploceus cucullatus
The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver (the latter leading to easy confusion with P. melanocephalus), is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
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~370 records
Curve from 2,847 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Village Weaver is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,847 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Village Weaver
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Mbizane Escarpment Retreat
Mbombela
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,800 a night
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver 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
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Wetlands Country House & Sheds
Wakkerstroom
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,550 a night
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Village Weaver 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
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Village Weaver recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
More stays nearby
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
Greystone Lodge
Dullstroom
Birder friendly · Grassland biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,200 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 Village Weaver
Hosts have recorded the Village Weaver 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
Ploceus cucullatus
Records
2,847
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Village Weaver on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Village Weaver in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Village Weaver 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 Village Weaver in South Africa?
The Village Weaver is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (65% of records), Mpumalanga (13% of records), Eastern Cape (8% of records), based on 2,847 iNaturalist observations. 12 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the Village Weaver on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Village Weaver?
The Village Weaver 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; Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Village Weaver?
The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), also known as the spotted-backed weaver or black-headed weaver (the latter leading to easy confusion with P. melanocephalus), is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been introduced to Hispaniola, Mauritius and Réunion.