Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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South African Shelduck
Tadorna cana
The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds which are part of the bird family Anatidae, which also includes the swans, geese and ducks.
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~586 records
Curve from 1,581 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 South African Shelduck is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,585 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the South African Shelduck
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
South African Shelduck 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
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck 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
South African Shelduck recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 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
Cederberg - Kliphuis
Cederberg Wilderness Area
South African Shelduck recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Gamkaberg Campsite
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 230 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Algeria Cottages
Cederberg Wilderness Area
South African Shelduck recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Stable Rooms
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 320 a night
Ou Kraal
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,600 a night
Xami Eco Lodge
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,520 a night
Fossil Ridge Eco Lodge
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Sweetthorn Eco Lodge
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
Tierkloof Eco Lodge
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
South African Shelduck recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 1,320 a night
The Overberg
Next stop
Whale coast and rolling farm country
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the South African Shelduck
Hosts have recorded the South African Shelduck 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
Tadorna cana
Records
1,585
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the South African Shelduck on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the South African Shelduck in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the South African Shelduck at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Anysberg Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Grootvadersbosch 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 South African Shelduck in South Africa?
The South African Shelduck is most recorded in Western Cape (37% of records), Eastern Cape (20% of records), Northern Cape (14% of records), based on 1,585 iNaturalist observations. 46 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the South African Shelduck on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the South African Shelduck?
The South African Shelduck 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 South African Shelduck?
The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds which are part of the bird family Anatidae, which also includes the swans, geese and ducks. This is a common endemic species to South Africa.