European Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus

The European nightjar, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordEuropean Nightjar2 stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Most records Nov to Mar

When European Nightjar sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.

Best monthsNov to Mar

Records188 records

Curve from 188 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

KwaZulu-Natal and beyond

Provinces where European Nightjar is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

188 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the European Nightjar

1 place
Kruger National ParkLimpopo · Best Apr to Sep
1 place

Places to stay

2 results in South Africa

Karoo Secret Farm Stay

Aberdeen

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 209 birds recorded · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,200 per night

Shimuwini Bushveld Camp

Kruger National Park

European Nightjar recorded here · Savanna biome · 43 birds recorded · Baobab, Cheetah · Guided walk, Game drives

From R 1,670 per night

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

Tintswalo at Boulders

Simon's Town, Cape Town

Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Surfing, Scenic drives

Supports Friends of Table Mountain

From R 4,060 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 European Nightjar

Hosts have recorded the European Nightjar at stays in or beside Kruger National Park.

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

Kruger

Species

Caprimulgus europaeus

Records

188

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

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

Which parks and reserves are best for the European Nightjar in South Africa?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the European Nightjar at stays in or beside Kruger National Park. 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 European Nightjar in South Africa?

The European Nightjar is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (39% of records), Limpopo (26% of records), Mpumalanga (17% of records), based on 188 iNaturalist observations. 2 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the European Nightjar on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the European Nightjar?

Sightings of the European Nightjar peak from Nov to Mar, based on 188 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.

What is the European Nightjar?