Garden Route National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
1 place
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Black Heron
Egretta ardesiaca
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron.
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~29 records
Curve from 317 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 Black Heron is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
317 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Black Heron
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp
Garden Route National Park
From R 287a night
Black Heron recorded here
Nature’s Valley Rest Camp (Tsitsikamma)
Garden Route National Park
From R 294a night
Black Heron 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 Black Heron
Hosts have recorded the Black Heron 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
Egretta ardesiaca
Records
317
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Black Heron on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Black Heron in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Black Heron 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 Black Heron in South Africa?
The Black Heron is most recorded in Mpumalanga (28% of records), Gauteng (27% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (14% of records), based on 317 iNaturalist observations. 2 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Black Heron on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Black Heron?
The Black Heron 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. Garden Route National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Tsitsikamma National Park: Apr-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Black Heron?
The Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Black Heron?
The black heron (Egretta ardesiaca) also known as the black egret, is an African heron. It is well known for its habit of using its wings to form a canopy when fishing.
