Anysberg Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Best Autumn and spring
7 places
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Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), is a medium-sized wading bird.
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~345 records
Curve from 2,463 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Hamerkop is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,465 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Hamerkop
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Gemsbok
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 350 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
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
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop 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
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Ouberg Private Nature Reserve
Montagu
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Succulent Karoo biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 350 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Bloukrans Off-Grid Cabin
Montagu
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Scolopia Cottage
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,780 a night
Ichelesi Cottage
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,950 a night
Tapfontein
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 250 a night
Anysberg Campsites
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 250 a night
Chameleon Cottage
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 1,520 a night
Leguaan Cottage
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 1,520 a night
Gecko Cottage
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 1,060 a night
Seps Cottage
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 930 a night
Agama Cottage
Anysberg Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 1,340 a night
The Whale Trail (De Hoop)
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Hamerkop recorded here · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
From R 6,460 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 Hamerkop
Hosts have recorded the Hamerkop at stays in or beside Anysberg Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Grootvadersbosch 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
Scopus umbretta
Records
2,465
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Hamerkop on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Hamerkop in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Hamerkop at stays in or beside Anysberg Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, Marloth Nature Reserve and Swartberg Nature Reserve. 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 Hamerkop in South Africa?
The Hamerkop is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Mpumalanga (25% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), based on 2,465 iNaturalist observations. 24 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Hamerkop on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Hamerkop?
The Hamerkop 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. Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Vrolijkheid 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 Hamerkop?
The hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name.