Cederberg Wilderness Area
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
9 places
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White-rumped Swift
Apus caffer
The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer) is a small swift.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Oct to Dec
When White-rumped Swift sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsOct to Dec
Recorded in Western Cape~321 records
Curve from 783 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 White-rumped Swift is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
783 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the White-rumped Swift
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
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
Barry House on Riverton
Robertson
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to Pietersfontein Conservancy
From R 1,155 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
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome
From R 630 a night
Bliss on the Bay (Pringle Bay)
Pringle Bay
White-rumped Swift 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
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,180 a night
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Limietberg Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 220 a night
De Hoop Collection
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
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Forest biome
From R 2,170 a night
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 680 a night
Lark House
Glencairn, Cape Town
Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome · Cape fur seal
From R 1,560 a night
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
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 180 a night
Grootvadersbosch Campsites
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 300 a night
Grootvadersbosch Cabins
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,460 a night
Mbali Collection
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,590 a night
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,730 a night
Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom
From R 1,750 a night
Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Algeria Cottages
Cederberg Wilderness Area
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome
From R 1,990 a night
Scolopia Cottage
Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
White-rumped Swift recorded here · Fynbos biome · Spekboom
From R 1,780 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 White-rumped Swift
Hosts have recorded the White-rumped Swift at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve and Anysberg 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
Apus caffer
Records
783
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the White-rumped Swift on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the White-rumped Swift in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the White-rumped Swift at stays in or beside Cederberg Wilderness Area, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Anysberg 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 White-rumped Swift in South Africa?
The White-rumped Swift is most recorded in Western Cape (41% of records), Eastern Cape (17% of records), Gauteng (13% of records), based on 783 iNaturalist observations. 54 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the White-rumped Swift on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the White-rumped Swift?
Sightings of the White-rumped Swift peak from Oct to Dec, based on 783 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the White-rumped Swift?
The white-rumped swift (Apus caffer) is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a house martin, it is not closely related to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.