African Penguin

Spheniscus demersusCritically endangered

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordAfrican Penguin3 stays list it on site or nearby

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

Records4,525 records

Curve from 4,525 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

Provinces where African Penguin is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

Western Cape

98%

4,525 records, iNaturalist

Places to stay

3 results in South Africa

Tintswalo at Boulders

Simon's Town, Cape Town

African Penguin recorded here · Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Surfing, Scenic drives

Supports Friends of Table Mountain

From R 4,060 per night

Avian Leisure

Simon's Town, Cape Town

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 7 birds recorded · Whale watching, Canoeing

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 2,100 per night

Lark House

Glencairn, Cape Town

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 14 birds recorded · Whale watching, Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

Price on request

More stays nearby

Babylonstoren

Klapmuts, Simondium

12 birds recorded · Angulate tortoise, Wild olive · Spa, Vineyards

Price on request

Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Limpopo

Savanna biome · 27 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Guided walk, Game drives

Price on request

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Thonga Beach Lodge

Manguzi

Forest biome · 60 birds recorded · Humpback whale, Southern right whale · Canoeing, Snorkelling

Price on request

La Clé Lodge & Villas

Franschhoek

Fynbos biome · Cycling

Price on request

Coot Club

Stanford

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 8 birds recorded · White milkwood, Southern right whale · Whale watching, Canoeing

Price on request

Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Price on request

Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa

Somerset West

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Vineyards, Wine tasting

Price on request

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West

Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 26 birds recorded · Black wildebeest, Bontebok · Horse riding, Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 5,636 per night

Maninghi Lodge

Hoedspruit

Savanna biome · 8 birds recorded · Giraffe, African elephant · Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Rhino Sands Safari Camp

Hazyview

Savanna biome · 30 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Zululand Conservation Trust

From R 22,680 per night

Franschhoek Country House & Villas

Franschhoek

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Spa, Mountain biking

Supports Cape Leopard Trust

From R 6,195 per night

Singita Ebony Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 42 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Boulders Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 43 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Lebombo Villa

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome

Price on request

Singita Sweni Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 53 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Castleton

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · Yoga

Price on request

Singita Ebony Villa

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome

Price on request

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Mpumalanga

Savanna biome · 50 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Melton Manor

Eastern Cape

Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Eastern Cape

Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Game drives

Price on request

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the African Penguin

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.

IUCN Red List

Critically Endangered

Species

Spheniscus demersus

Records

4 525

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the African Penguin on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Where can you see the African Penguin in South Africa?

The African Penguin is most recorded in Western Cape (98% of records), based on 4 525 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the African Penguin on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the African Penguin?

The African Penguin is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it.

What is the conservation status of the African Penguin?

The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

What is the African Penguin?

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is also widely known as the "jackass" penguin for its donkey-like bray, although several related species of South American penguins produce the same sound.