Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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African Fish Eagle
Icthyophaga vocifer
The African fish eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) or the African sea eagle is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur.
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 Western Cape~795 records
Curve from 4,418 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 African Fish Eagle is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
4,418 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the African Fish Eagle
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 34,972 a night
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale · Caracal
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 29,981 a night
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Angulate tortoise · Wild olive
Price on request
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Spekboom · Outeniqua yellowwood
Gives back to Revive Knysna
From R 2,310 a night
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 14,985 a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · White milkwood · Southern right whale
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
Price on request
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 24,990 a night
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 34,972 a night
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 24,990 a night
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 17,492 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 17,492 a night
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 34,972 a night
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat
Western Cape
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fox · Caracal
Gives back to Saving Private Rhino
Price on request
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 24,990 a night
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 17,492 a night
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
Price on request
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy and 1 other
From R 31,223 a night
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
African Fish Eagle recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Gemsbok
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 350 a night
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
The Cape Peninsula
Next stop
Mountain, ocean, and fynbos within reach of the city
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the African Fish Eagle
Hosts have recorded the African Fish Eagle at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
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
Species
Icthyophaga vocifer
Records
4,418
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the African Fish Eagle on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the African Fish Eagle in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the African Fish Eagle at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve and other reserves. 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 African Fish Eagle in South Africa?
The African Fish Eagle is most recorded in Mpumalanga (30% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (21% of records), Western Cape (18% of records), based on 4,418 iNaturalist observations. 62 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the African Fish Eagle on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the African Fish Eagle?
The African Fish Eagle 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the African Fish Eagle?
The African fish eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer) or the African sea eagle is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur. It is the national bird of Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As a result of its large range, it is known in many languages.