Long-tailed Widowbird

Euplectes progne

The long-tailed widowbird (Euplectes progne), also known as the “Sakabula,” is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordLong-tailed Widowbird4 stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Most records Oct to Dec

When Long-tailed Widowbird sightings peak, from open records. Outside these months it is seen less often, not never.

Best monthsOct to Dec

Records1,175 records

Curve from 1,175 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

Gauteng and beyond

Provinces where Long-tailed Widowbird is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

1,175 records, iNaturalist

Places to stay

4 results in South Africa

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Long-tailed Widowbird recorded here · Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Forellenhof Guest Farm

Wakkerstroom

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · 28 birds recorded · Hiking, Fishing

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,500 per night

Antbear Eco Lodge

Estcourt

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · 72 birds recorded · Spa, Stargazing

From R 2,000 per night

Ntsikeni Community Lodge

KwaZulu-Natal

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · 16 birds recorded · Hiking

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 850 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

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

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Long-tailed Widowbird

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.

Species

Euplectes progne

Records

1 175

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Long-tailed Widowbird on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Where can you see the Long-tailed Widowbird in South Africa?

The Long-tailed Widowbird is most recorded in Gauteng (51% of records), Mpumalanga (21% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (12% of records), based on 1 175 iNaturalist observations. 4 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Long-tailed Widowbird on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Long-tailed Widowbird?

Sightings of the Long-tailed Widowbird peak from Oct to Dec, based on 1 175 iNaturalist records. You may still see it outside those months, sightings are just less frequent.

What is the Long-tailed Widowbird?

The long-tailed widowbird (Euplectes progne), also known as the “Sakabula,” is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. The species are found in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zambia. The long-tailed widowbird is a medium-sized bird and one of the most common in the territories it inhabits.