Garden Route National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
1 place
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Baillon's Crake
Zapornia pusilla
Baillon's crake (Zapornia pusilla), also known as the marsh crake, is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jan to Feb
When Baillon's Crake sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJan to Feb
Recorded in Western Cape~38 records
Curve from 65 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 Baillon's Crake is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
65 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Baillon's Crake
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp
Garden Route National Park
From R 287a night
Baillon's Crake recorded here
Nature’s Valley Rest Camp (Tsitsikamma)
Garden Route National Park
From R 294a night
Baillon's Crake recorded here
More stays nearby
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 26,450a night
Birder friendly
Thabile Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 1,400a night
Bitou River Lodge
Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
From R 2,250a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Birder friendly
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
From R 4,355a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
Franschhoek
Price on request
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
Stanford
From R 2,850a night
Lauradale
Stellenbosch
From R 1,465a night
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Birder friendly
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek
The Crags, Plettenberg Bay
From R 1,950a night
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
From R 2,235a night
Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa
Somerset West
Price on request
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
From R 6,195a night
Assendelft Lodge
Prince Albert
From R 1,200a night
Tintswalo at Boulders
Simon's Town, Cape Town
Price on request
Klein Waterval Riverside Lodge
Franschhoek
From R 3,425a night
Devonport House
Constantia, Cape Town
From R 3,500a night
The Alphen Boutique Hotel & Spa
Constantia, Cape Town
Price on request
Danielskraal Guest Farm
Calitzdorp
From R 2,500a night
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Baillon's Crake
Hosts have recorded the Baillon's Crake at stays in or beside Garden Route National Park and Tsitsikamma National Park.
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
Western Cape
Garden Route
Western CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Western CapeEastern Cape
Tsitsikamma
Eastern CapeSelf-driveStays in Eastern Cape
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
Zapornia pusilla
Records
65
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Baillon's Crake on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Baillon's Crake in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Baillon's Crake at stays in or beside Garden Route National Park and Tsitsikamma 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 Baillon's Crake in South Africa?
The Baillon's Crake is most recorded in Western Cape (58% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (18% of records), Gauteng (9% of records), based on 65 iNaturalist observations. 2 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Baillon's Crake on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Baillon's Crake?
Sightings of the Baillon's Crake peak from Jan to Feb, based on 65 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Baillon's Crake?
The Baillon's Crake (Zapornia pusilla) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Baillon's Crake?
Baillon's crake (Zapornia pusilla), also known as the marsh crake, is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae.