Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
4 places
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Lesser Crested Tern
Thalasseus bengalensis
The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a tern in the family, Laridae.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Mar to Apr
When Lesser Crested Tern sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsMar to Apr
Records122 records
Curve from 122 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. 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
Provinces where Lesser Crested Tern is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
122 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Lesser Crested Tern
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Lesser Crested Tern recorded here
Olifantsbos Guest House
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,859a night
Lesser Crested Tern 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 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 Lesser Crested Tern
Hosts have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain 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.
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
Thalasseus bengalensis
Records
122
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Lesser Crested Tern on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Lesser Crested Tern in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern at stays in or beside Table Mountain 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 Lesser Crested Tern in South Africa?
The Lesser Crested Tern is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (96% of records), based on 122 iNaturalist observations. 4 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Lesser Crested Tern on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Lesser Crested Tern?
Sightings of the Lesser Crested Tern peak from Mar to Apr, based on 122 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Lesser Crested Tern?
The Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Lesser Crested Tern?
The lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) is a tern in the family, Laridae.