Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Northern Cape · Best Aug to Oct
9 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Pygmy Falcon
Polihierax semitorquatus
The pygmy falcon, or African pygmy falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus), is a falcon that lives in eastern and southern Africa and is the smallest raptor on the continent.
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 Northern Cape~274 records
Curve from 283 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
Provinces where Pygmy Falcon is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
282 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Pygmy Falcon
Stays that give back
Across the Northern Cape
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Motswedi Camp Site
Mokala National Park
From R 628a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Mosu Lodge
Mokala National Park
From R 1,401a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Nossob Rest Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 450a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Gharagab Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
Augrabies Falls National Park
From R 362a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Lilydale Rest Camp
Mokala National Park
From R 1,206a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Kalahari Tented Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,314a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
Urikaruus Wilderness Camp
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
From R 2,634a night
Pygmy Falcon recorded here
More stays nearby
Richmond Rooms
Richmond
From R 1,230a night
Mooifontein Farm
Colesberg
From R 1,486a night
Rooikloof Guest Farm
Sutherland
From R 1,600a night
Frontier River Resort
Northern Cape
From R 2,050a night
Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
From R 311a night
Kokerboomkloof Camp Site
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
From R 311a night
Skilpad Rest Camp
Namaqua National Park
From R 953a night
Tankwa Karoo Rest Camp
Tankwa Karoo National Park
From R 192a night
Elandsberg Rest Camp
Tankwa Karoo National Park
From R 1,741a night
De Hoop Camping Site
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
From R 373a night
The Apollis Cottage
Concordia, Springbok
From R 1,700a night
The Karoo
Next stop
South Africa's vast inland heart: silence, stars, and wide horizons
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Pygmy Falcon
Hosts have recorded the Pygmy Falcon at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mokala National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park.
Best hours of the day
- Late morning to mid-afternoon. Raptors soar once the sun raises thermals.
- Early morning. Often perched while the air warms.
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
Polihierax semitorquatus
Records
282
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Pygmy Falcon on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Pygmy Falcon in Northern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Pygmy Falcon at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mokala National Park and Augrabies Falls 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 Pygmy Falcon in South Africa?
The Pygmy Falcon is most recorded in Northern Cape (97% of records), based on 282 iNaturalist observations. 13 places to stay on Spekboom in Northern Cape have recorded the Pygmy Falcon on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Pygmy Falcon?
The Pygmy Falcon 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. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Mokala National Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Augrabies Falls National Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Pygmy Falcon?
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Pygmy Falcon?
The pygmy falcon, or African pygmy falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus), is a falcon that lives in eastern and southern Africa and is the smallest raptor on the continent. As a small falcon, only 19 to 20 cm long, it preys on insects, small reptiles, and small mammals.