Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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Cape Wagtail
Motacilla capensis
The Cape wagtail, also known as Wells's wagtail, (Motacilla capensis) is a small African passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the wagtails, pipits and longclaws.
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~4,483 records
Curve from 7,230 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 Wagtail is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
7,230 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Wagtail
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 41,147 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swallows Rest
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 35,271 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson · From R 1,155 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West · From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Zwartberg View Mountain Lodge
Oudtshoorn · From R 5,060 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Melkkamer Homestead, De Hoop
De Hoop Nature Reserve · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pumula Lodge 4 Star Guesthouse Knysna
Hunter's Home, Knysna · From R 2,310 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Coastal Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 17,630 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lagoon Ocean Lodge
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 29,394 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Vine & Vale
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 41,147 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lavender Dreams
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 29,394 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Azure Retreat
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 20,574 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Milk & Honey
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 20,574 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Tidesong
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 41,147 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Oceanique
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 29,394 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Sea Whisper
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 20,574 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Utopia
Benguela Cove, Hermanus · From R 36,731 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve · From R 630 a night
Cape Wagtail recorded here
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay · From R 4,640 a night
Cape Wagtail recorded here
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve · From R 1,180 a night
Cape Wagtail recorded here
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Limietberg Nature Reserve · From R 220 a night
Cape Wagtail recorded here
The Cape Peninsula
Next stop
Mountain, ocean, and fynbos within reach of the city
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Cape Wagtail
Hosts have recorded the Cape Wagtail 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
Motacilla capensis
Records
7,230
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Wagtail on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Wagtail in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Wagtail at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and Table Mountain National Park 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 Wagtail in South Africa?
The Cape Wagtail is most recorded in Western Cape (62% of records), Eastern Cape (11% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (11% of records), based on 7,230 iNaturalist observations. 82 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Cape Wagtail on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Wagtail?
The Cape Wagtail 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. Cederberg Wilderness Area: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Cape Wagtail?
The Cape wagtail, also known as Wells's wagtail, (Motacilla capensis) is a small African passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the wagtails, pipits and longclaws.