
Namaqua Dove
The Namaqua dove (Oena capensis) is a small pigeon.
Species insights
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.
Curve from 1,357 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.
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Namaqua Dove is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,357 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Namaqua Dove
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Succulent Karoo biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 350 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok · Greater kudu
Gives back to Wolwekraal Nature Reserve
From R 5,060 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 220 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Black backed jackal · Honey badger
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 230 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 320 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,600 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,520 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,500 a night
Namaqua Dove recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,430 a night
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Namaqua Dove
Hosts have recorded the Namaqua Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Anysberg Nature Reserve and Gamkaberg 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
Oena capensis
Records
1,357
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Namaqua Dove on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Namaqua Dove in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Namaqua Dove at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop 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 Namaqua Dove in South Africa?
The Namaqua Dove is most recorded in Western Cape (31% of records), Northern Cape (23% of records), Limpopo (21% of records), based on 1,357 iNaturalist observations. 43 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Namaqua Dove on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Namaqua Dove?
The Namaqua Dove 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; Anysberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Namaqua Dove?
The Namaqua dove (Oena capensis) is a small pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena.




























