Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Amethyst Sunbird
Chalcomitra amethystina
The amethyst sunbird, also called the black sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina), is a species of passerine bird in the Nectariniidae family.
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~1,009 records
Curve from 3,604 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 Amethyst Sunbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,604 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Amethyst Sunbird
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
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
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
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
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 680 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fur seal
From R 1,560 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Scolopia Cottage
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,780 a night
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,340 a night
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,370 a night
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,560 a night
Stumpnose Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,560 a night
Blacktail Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,560 a night
Mvubu Bush Camp
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bushbuck · Bushpig
From R 1,380 a night
Buffalo Valley Vlei Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bushbuck · Bushpig
From R 1,580 a night
Buffalo Valley River Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bushbuck · Bushpig
From R 1,580 a night
Buffalo Valley Forest Lodge
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bushbuck · Bushpig
From R 1,410 a night
The Whale Trail (De Hoop)
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
From R 6,460 a night
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
Amethyst Sunbird recorded here · Fynbos biome · King protea · Sugarbush
From R 4,009 a night
The Overberg
Next stop
Whale coast and rolling farm country
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Amethyst Sunbird
Hosts have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Grootvadersbosch 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.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Chalcomitra amethystina
Records
3,604
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Amethyst Sunbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Amethyst Sunbird in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, Table Mountain National Park, Garden Route National Park and Hottentots Holland 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 Amethyst Sunbird in South Africa?
The Amethyst Sunbird is most recorded in Western Cape (28% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (25% of records), Eastern Cape (23% of records), based on 3,604 iNaturalist observations. 26 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Amethyst Sunbird on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Amethyst Sunbird?
The Amethyst Sunbird 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; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Table Mountain National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Amethyst Sunbird?
The amethyst sunbird, also called the black sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina), is a species of passerine bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is native to the Afrotropics, mostly south of the equator. They are commonly found in well-watered habitats, and undertake seasonal movements to visit flowering woodlands.