South Africa Wildlife - Where to Spot Them on Safari

Quick Overview:

The Table below provides a rough guide of the animals you are likely to see while on safari in South Africa. The classification may vary depending on the region and the time of year, but it provides a general sense of how often you might spot these animals while on safari or while visiting the coast in South Africa.

1. Where to See Lions in South Africa

Lions are among the most exciting animals to spot on a South Africa safari. Known for their majestic manes and pride structure, lions are social big cats that often hunt in packs at night. In the cooler, dry months, lions are more active during the day, allowing for better sightings as they move between watering holes. During a Kruger National Park safari, and the private concessions like Sabi Sands, it's possible to witness entire prides lazing under the shade, nurturing their young, or stalking prey in the early morning and late afternoon.

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Thanda Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: May to September

2. Where to See Leopards in South Africa

Leopards are solitary and elusive creatures, making sightings particularly special. Known for their agility and remarkable ability to climb trees, leopards often drag their kills up into the branches to protect them from scavengers. Sabi Sands is one of the few places in Africa where leopards are accustomed to vehicles, giving you the chance to get up close and observe these powerful cats. Look out for their distinctive rosettes and graceful movements in early morning or dusk, when they're most active.

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Londolozi Game Reserve, Sabi Sands
• Best Time to Visit: Winter months (June to September)

3. Where to See Elephants in South Africa

Intelligent and highly social animals, elephants roam South Africa's wilderness in family herds, often led by a matriarch. Watching elephants interact—whether bathing in rivers, foraging, or caring for their young—is a fascinating experience. Addo Elephant Park is renowned for its large elephant population, and during the drier months, they are often seen congregating around watering holes, offering incredible close-up views of their interactions and behaviours.

• Best Places: Addo Elephant National Park, Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with winter as ideal for clearer sightings

4. Where to See Rhinos in South Africa

South Africa is one of the last strongholds for rhino conservation, home to both black and white rhinos. Known for their thick skin and prominent horns, rhinos are generally shy, but during winter, sightings increase as they venture out to water sources. White rhinos are more social and often graze in pairs, while black rhinos, with their hook-shaped lips, are browsers and more solitary.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is a top location for these sightings and is celebrated for its conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals in South Africa.

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Pilanesberg National Park. Thanda Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Winter (May to September)

5. Where to See Buffalo in South Africa

Known for their large, muscular bodies and sweeping horns, buffaloes are formidable creatures that roam in large herds and an easy sighting during a Big 5 safari. They're one of Africa's “Big Five” not only because of their size but also for their unpredictable nature. In South Africa, buffaloes are commonly seen grazing near water sources, often surrounded by birds that pick off insects from their thick hides.

Witnessing a herd of these strong animals in Kruger or iSimangaliso is an awe-inspiring sight, as they are deeply social and display fascinating group dynamics. Kruger National Park animals are known to provide some of the most breathtaking wildlife scenes, with each day bringing unique and heartfelt moments incomparable to any other safari destination in Africa!

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Best Time to Visit: Winter (June to September)

6. Where to See African Wild Dogs in South Africa

African wild dogs, known for their colourful, mottled coats and large, rounded ears, are social and highly skilled hunters. Unlike other predators, wild dogs rely on teamwork and communicate through a series of unique vocalizations, making them an impressive species to watch. Wild dogs are most active in the morning and late afternoon, when they often embark on cooperative hunts.

While highly endangered, South Africa's Madikwe and Kruger offer strong conservation support, making these reserves prime spots for viewing and South Africa the best place to see wild dogs in Africa. As an endangered species in Africa, there are many ongoing efforts to protect these playful creatures. There are currently around 6500 remaining wild dogs across Africa -of which less than 650 can be found in South Africa.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit conservation organisation dedicated to carrying out research and conservation action programmes in Southern in East Africa. In partnership with EWT, Go2Africa has pledged to donate $20 to the organisation for every trip booked with us that includes a night at one of our selected Kruger camps*.

• Best Places: Madikwe Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Dry season (May to September)

7. Where to See Penguins in South Africa

South Africa's African penguins are beloved for their charismatic waddles and distinctive calls. Boulders Beach near Cape Town offers one of the most accessible and unique experiences, allowing you to walk alongside the penguins on a boardwalk. During summer, their breeding colonies are bustling with activity and visitors can see young chicks, adults building nests, and the penguins’ amusing daily routines. It's a fantastic opportunity to encounter these endearing creatures up close.

• Best Places: Boulders Beach, Simon's Town
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with peak breeding in summer (November to February)

8. Where to See Aardvarks in South Africa

Mysterious and nocturnal with strong digging skills, Aardvarks are famous for burrowing quickly into the ground to escape predators. They have long, sticky tongues used to catch ants and termites, which make up their diet. Spotting an aardvark is a rare treat, and Tswalu Kalahari is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of them in the early evening or night. With their pig-like snouts and large ears, aardvarks are a treat for animal enthusiasts.

• Best Places: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Winter (June to August)

9. Where to See Pangolins in South Africa

Pangolins are rare, scaly mammals known for their tendency to roll into a ball when threatened. Covered in protective scales, they feed on ants and termites with their long, sticky tongues. Due to their secretive, nocturnal nature, pangolins are seldom seen, but reserves like Tswalu and Phinda offer specialized, guided tracking. A pangolin sighting is a cherished experience for any wildlife enthusiast due to their scarcity and unique appearance.

• Best Places: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Winter months

10. Where to See Whales in South Africa

The coastal town of Hermanus is renowned for land-based whale watching, particularly for southern right whales that migrate to breed in the area's sheltered bays. During peak season, whales can be seen breaching, tail-slapping, and socializing, often very close to shore. The high cliffs of Hermanus provide prime viewing points, making this one of the best places in the world to watch these gentle giants.

• Best Places: Hermanus, Western Cape
• Best Time to Visit: June to November

11. Where to See Turtles in South Africa

Loggerhead and leatherback turtles are drawn to South Africa's shores to lay their eggs in the soft sand. This nesting ritual, witnessed at iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is a moving sight, as female turtles return to their birth beaches to dig nests. During the season, guided night tours provide visitors with a rare opportunity to see turtles emerge from the ocean and make their way up the beach.

• Best Places: iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay
• Best Time to Visit: Nesting season (November to March)

12. Where to See Giraffes in South Africa

Standing up to 18 feet tall, giraffes are striking animals with their long necks and distinctive coat patterns. They are generally peaceful creatures, feeding on the leaves of tall trees. In Kruger and Madikwe, they can often be seen in family groups, elegantly browsing at treetop level.

South Africa is home to two types of giraffes: the South African giraffe, known for its darker, star-shaped patches, and the Angolan giraffe, which has paler, more rounded patches with wider white spaces. While the more commonly known reticulated giraffe has Observing these gentle giants at sunrise or sunset, silhouetted against the horizon, is a classic South African safari experience.

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round

13. Where to See Zebras in South Africa

Known for their iconic black and white stripes, zebras are social animals that often gather in large herds. They are prey for many predators, so they rely on their numbers for protection. In South Africa's national parks, zebras are a common sight on open plains, often in the company of wildebeest and other herbivores. Their dynamic social structure and striking patterns make them a delight to observe.

• Best Places: Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Addo Elephant Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Timbavati Game Reserve
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round

14. Where to See the Sardine Run in South Africa

The Sardine Run is one of nature's greatest spectacles, where millions of sardines migrate along the coast, attracting predators like sharks, dolphins, and seabirds. Divers and snorkelers can join tours to witness the frenzy as these fish move in vast schools, followed closely by a trail of hungry pursuers. It's an intense marine experience and a highlight of South Africa's coastal wildlife.

• Best Places: South African coast, particularly the Wild Coast
• Best Time to Visit: June to July

15. Where to See Meerkats in South Africa

These small, social animals are known for their 'sentinel' behaviour, where one meerkat stands guard as others forage. Meerkats live in family groups, often sunning themselves in the early morning before digging for insects and roots. In the Kalahari Desert, it's possible to observe meerkats up close as they go about their daily routines, digging, grooming, and play-fighting.

• Best Places: Kalahari Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Best Time to Visit: Winter months

Ready to Start Planning Your South Africa Safari?

South Africa is a dream destination that combines incredible wildlife sightings with world-class accommodations, stunning landscapes, and a wealth of activities to enjoy while on safari. With over two decades of experience and knowledge, we are professionals in crafting tailor-made itineraries that tick every traveller's individual needs. Get in touch with our African Safari Experts to start planning your vacation.