Goukamma Nature Reserve
Western Cape · Year-round
9 places
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Spotted Eagle-Owl
Bubo africanus
The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls.
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~2,495 records
Curve from 3,960 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,960 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Spotted Eagle-Owl
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu
Spotted Eagle-Owl 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
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome · English oak
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 6,195 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
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Angulate tortoise · Wild olive
Price on request
Swartberg Nature Reserve (Die Hel)
Swartberg Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
From R 4,640 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
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · Bontebok · Southern right whale
Price on request
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fur seal
From R 1,560 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
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
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
Gamkaberg Campsite
Gamkaberg Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · Spekboom
From R 230 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,590 a night
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,730 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Spotted Eagle-Owl recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl
Hosts have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve and Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
Best hours of the day
- Dusk and after dark. Listen for calls; a torch at camp or a night drive works best.
- Daytime. Roosting, well hidden.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Bubo africanus
Records
3,960
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Spotted Eagle-Owl on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Spotted Eagle-Owl in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl at stays in or beside Goukamma Nature Reserve, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve and Kogelberg 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 Spotted Eagle-Owl in South Africa?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl is most recorded in Western Cape (63% of records), Northern Cape (7% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (6% of records), based on 3,960 iNaturalist observations. 51 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Spotted Eagle-Owl on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Spotted Eagle-Owl?
The Spotted Eagle-Owl 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. Goukamma Nature Reserve: year-round, warm Oct-Apr; Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: Autumn and spring, Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Rocherpan Nature Reserve: Winter and spring for birds and flowers, Jun-Oct; De Hoop Nature Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Spotted Eagle-Owl?
The spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus) is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. Its length is 45 centimetres (18 in) and its weight is from 454 to 907 grams (1.0 to 2.0 lb). It has a 100 to 140 centimetres (39 to 55 in) wingspan. The facial disk is off white to pale ochre and the eyes are yellow.