Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
4 places
Marine life
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale.
Species insights
When to visit
Most records Jul to Oct
When Humpback Whale sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.
Best monthsJul to Oct
Records394 records
Curve from 394 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
Western Cape and beyond
Provinces where Humpback Whale is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
394 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Humpback Whale
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Robberg Nature Reserve
Robberg Nature Reserve
From R 1,560a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Damara Trail (De Mond)
De Mond Nature Reserve
From R 3,690a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Humpback Whale recorded here
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 965a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Overseers Mountain Cottage
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,009a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Coot Club
Stanford
Price on request
Humpback Whale recorded here
Slangkop Tented Camp
Table Mountain National Park
From R 770a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Olifantsbos Guest House
Table Mountain National Park
From R 4,859a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Humpback Whale recorded here
Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp
Garden Route National Park
From R 287a night
Humpback Whale recorded here
Cape Agulhas Guest House
Western Cape
Price on request
Humpback Whale recorded here
More stays nearby
Oceans Away
Benguela Cove, Hermanus
From R 51,428a night
Thabile Lodge
Oudtshoorn
From R 1,400a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
From R 5,636a night
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
Gardens, Cape Town
From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
The Klein Karoo
Next stop
Dry mountains, ostriches, and Calitzdorp's port wines
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Humpback Whale
Hosts have recorded the Humpback Whale at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and De Mond Nature Reserve.
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Megaptera novaeangliae
Records
394
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Humpback Whale on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Humpback Whale in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Humpback Whale at stays in or beside Table Mountain National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, De Mond Nature Reserve, Garden Route National Park and Robberg Nature Reserve. 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 Humpback Whale in South Africa?
The Humpback Whale is most recorded in Western Cape (66% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (20% of records), Eastern Cape (13% of records), based on 394 iNaturalist observations. 11 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Humpback Whale on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Humpback Whale?
Sightings of the Humpback Whale peak from Jul to Oct, based on 394 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.
What is the conservation status of the Humpback Whale?
The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Humpback Whale?
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12-16 m (39-52 ft) and weigh about 36,000 kg (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers.
