Chasing the Elusive African Finfoot on the Garden Route

African Finfoot (Podica senegalensis) – Watertrapper

The African Finfoot is a holy grail for birders in South Africa, a shy and elusive species that sparks excitement with every sighting. I’ve been lucky enough to spot them in Gauteng, Limpopo, and multiple times in the Western Cape. Check out the video linked in this post to join me on a quest to find the Finfoot along a local river!

Prime spots for tracking these secretive birds in our region include the Goukamma and Hoogekraal rivers, with occasional sightings further east from the De Vasselot bridge at Nature’s Valley.
After a recent Finfoot sighting on the Goukamma, I was determined to capture a photo or two. Friends have spotted them several times in the past week, but don’t be fooled, this is no easy feat!

Finfoots favour quiet, clear, wooded streams with dense riparian vegetation and overhanging trees, steering clear of stagnant or fast-flowing waters. These incredibly shy birds rarely venture into open water. When swimming, they bob their heads forward and backward, their fanned tails skimming the surface. If startled, they dart across the river to hide in thick riverside foliage.

When roosting under vegetation along the banks, you might hear a telltale “plomp” as they slip into the water, diving underwater for long stretches, resurfacing with just their head and neck visible. Their distinctive “Krakk Krakk Krakk” call is a rare treat, often catching birders off guard.

With patience and a bit of luck, you can find this stunning bird! Ready to tick the African Finfoot off your list? Contact me to book a guided birding trip along the Garden Route’s rivers and let’s track down this beauty together!

On 5  June 2025 I submitted the first record for African Finfoot on SABAP2 the South African Bird Atlas Project.for PENTAD 3400_2255

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