Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Cape Shoveler
Spatula smithii
The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula.
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~1,894 records
Curve from 2,255 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 Cape Shoveler is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,255 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Shoveler
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
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 a night
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler 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
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,590 a night
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,730 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Scolopia Cottage
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,780 a night
Kingfisher Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,500 a night
Flamingo Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Oystercatcher Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Sandpiper Cottage
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Ichelesi Cottage
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,950 a night
Fish Eagle Loft
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,340 a night
Otter's Rest
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,370 a night
Kabeljou Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,560 a night
Stumpnose Cottage
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,560 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 Cape Shoveler
Hosts have recorded the Cape Shoveler at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and De Hoop 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
Spatula smithii
Records
2,255
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Shoveler on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Shoveler in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Shoveler at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, Kogelberg 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 Cape Shoveler in South Africa?
The Cape Shoveler is most recorded in Western Cape (84% of records), Gauteng (5% of records), based on 2,255 iNaturalist observations. 33 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Cape Shoveler on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Shoveler?
The Cape Shoveler 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; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Cape Shoveler?
The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula. It is resident in South Africa, and uncommon further north in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia.