Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Nov to Mar
When Barn Swallow sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsNov to Mar
Recorded in Western Cape~763 records
Curve from 2,243 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 Barn Swallow is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,243 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Barn Swallow
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
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
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
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
De Hoop Collection
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
Barn Swallow recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 680 a night
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fur seal
From R 1,560 a night
Reflections Eco-Reserve
Wilderness
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 2,500 a night
Cederberg - Kliphuis
Cederberg Wilderness Area
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Gamkaberg Campsite
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 230 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,590 a night
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,730 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Algeria Cottages
Cederberg Wilderness Area
Barn Swallow recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a 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 Barn Swallow
Hosts have recorded the Barn Swallow at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Anysberg 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
Hirundo rustica
Records
2,243
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Barn Swallow on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Barn Swallow in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Barn Swallow at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and De Hoop 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 Barn Swallow in South Africa?
The Barn Swallow is most recorded in Western Cape (34% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (24% of records), Mpumalanga (11% of records), based on 2,243 iNaturalist observations. 63 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Barn Swallow on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Barn Swallow?
Sightings of the Barn Swallow peak from Nov to Mar, based on 2,243 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the Barn Swallow?
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In Anglophone Europe it is just called the swallow; in Northern Europe it is the only common species called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".