Wildlife in Kruger National Park Guide: Animals and Birds

Kruger National Park is a wonderful African safari destination, and this wildlife guide gives a thorough compilation of the birds, reptiles, and mammals that make it special.

All the major safari animals may be found in Kruger National Park, which boasts an incredible variety of wildlife. You can see any of the big cats here, but the lions tend to congregate in the park’s southern sections. There has been a significant uptick in poaching of white rhino in recent years, but there is still a good probability that you might see one. You can see elephants and buffalo all about.

A highlight of Kruger is the graceful antelope. There are a lot of waterbuck, impala, and greater kudu. Steenbok and common duiker are two elusive animals to keep an eye out for. Although it is seldom seen, the endangered wild dog lives in huge packs that roam far and wide. It is highly probable that you will spot cheetah in the expansive grasslands of central Kruger.

So, you’ve decided to visit Kruger National Park in South Africa for your vacation or safari. When you go on a safari in South Africa, what kind of wild animals can you expect to see?

Well, first of all, I must say that I am very impressed by your decision; the Kruger National Park is truly a wildlife treasure trove in Africa. When you add in its convenient location and well-developed infrastructure, it becomes clear that this safari destination is perfect for families with young children, experienced travelers, and serious wildlife photographers and lovers.

Animals in Kruger National Park have become used to seeing cars, so it’s not uncommon to see them close to automobiles as they go about their day, seemingly oblivious to your presence.

Most Amazing Kruger National Park Wildlife Sightings

Animals in Kruger National Park

The Big 5

The infamous Big Five should probably be our first stop. Is Kruger able to display them all? So, where is it located? Indeed, Kruger National Park is home to all five of Africa’s most famous predators. Lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo are the obvious ones.

Given that Kruger National Park covers five million acres, or about two million hectares, it’s reasonable to assume that spotting the Big Five is highly unlikely in such a vast area. To be sure, these creatures are common sights for motorists in Kruger Park, and as indicated before, they frequently come dangerously close to cars.

Kruger National Park is home to all five of Africa’s most famous predators. Since there is more water in the southern regions of Kruger Park, the area from Satara Restcamp south to Crocodile Bridge Restcamp is usually better for sightings. Grazing animals will have more food available if there is more water. Many creatures make use of and enjoy riverine trees like the marula. In addition, there are more predators in areas with high densities of grazing animals.

There is more traffic and a lot of people fighting for space to see the animals in the south because it is more popular and closer to Johannesburg and other large centers. Plus, seeing all five of the Big Five is usually a tourist’s dream.

Just north of Satara Restcamp, you’ll notice a difference in the Kruger: drier conditions, more open savannah vegetation, and an increase in the difficulty of spotting the Big 5. On the other hand, you won’t typically find yourself on a deserted dirt road with a pride of lions—they’re obviously there. It’s the main reason why Kruger National Park’s northern section is so beloved among park veterans.

You might be wondering, “Aside from the Big Five, what else can I expect to see?” Is that all there is to Kruger National Park?” Without a doubt, it does. If you visit this park, you will likely spend most of your time engaged in wildlife spotting, as it is home to 148 different kinds of mammals.

Impala, zebras, and giraffes will likely be the first animals you see. All of these animals are common near highways in Kruger Park and can be seen in large numbers there.

Predators

Nature Documentary – Krugers Pafuri Wildlife in Africa

While lions and leopards are the most common predators in Kruger National Park, you can also see cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, honey badgers, jackals, aardwolves, genets, and civets. The smaller predators are typically quite timid and only active at night, so seeing more than five of them would be a true miracle. If you want to see more predators in the Kruger, set your expectations lower and be happy with what you see.

Large Mammals

Tourists also love seeing the big cats. White and black rhinos, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, hippopotami, and elephants would all fall within this category. Their bulk makes them more noticeable than smaller creatures and, of course, predators that try to blend in.

But don’t be deceived; you never spotted the elephant until you were almost on top of him, and you might be astonished by how close he was to your vehicle! Avoid these dangerous circumstances by driving gently and keeping your eyes alert.

As one might expect, hippos prefer to hang out around bodies of water, such as rivers and dams, which are abundant in Kruger National Park. If you go out of your tent early in the morning, you might be fortunate enough to spot a hippos either feeding on land or making its way back to the river for the day. During the evening, hippos venture out of the water to feed on grass.

Throughout Kruger National Park, elephants can be seen. Elephants are sacred animals, and humans should respect their space and dignity while approaching them. As a tourist, it’s best to keep your distance from elephants if you don’t know how they normally behave.

Because of their elusive nature, preference for dense vegetation, and low population density, black rhinos can be hard to spot in the Kruger National Park. Although there is no assurance, black rhino tend to do better in the southern part of Kruger National Park. It would be a huge blessing if you could spot one.

In contrast to central and northern Kruger, white rhinos are more numerous and prolific in the southern region. Typically, these creatures are quite tame, so you can approach them up close before they bolt into the woods. Many tourists flock to Kruger National Park in the hopes of seeing the park’s famous rhinos, which are always a thrilling sighting.

The Kruger National Park is a great place to watch zebras and giraffes because of how widely distributed they are.

Antelope

From huge eland to smaller antelopes like duiker and steenbok, Kruger National Park has them all.

Rare antelope species, like the Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and sable antelope, may be active in the area surrounding Pretoriuskop Restcamp, though sightings of these animals are highly improbable. Also, if you’re looking for eland in the southern Kruger, here is a great spot to see them.

According to our research at Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa, northern Africa is the place to go if you’re looking for unique and endangered antelope species. In the vicinity of the Shingwedzi, Babalala Picnic Site, you may occasionally spot the elusive roan antelope, which is at the top of the list.

Particularly around the Tropic of Capricorn loop near Mopani Restcamp, you may spot sable antelope, eland, hartebeest, tsessebe, and other uncommon antelope species.

Impressive creatures, sable antelope are characterized by their large, curved horns and black and white patterning over their bodies. Safari highlights include seeing animals traverse the Mopani Bushveld in Kruger Park.

Some creatures are more elusive than others; for example, a leopard could be hiding in a huge leadwood tree if you know what to listen for and where to look. Wildlife sounds like baboons and kudu barking, impala snorting, and vervet monkeys making a racket are signs that something is amiss; you should proceed with caution and pay close attention to what is upsetting these animals.

Birds

Birds of Kruger National Park

Although there are some spectacular birds swooping through the air, the mammals in Kruger National Park tend to take center stage, which is a bit disheartening at times.

Kruger National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 500 species documented there. Kruger National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including small batis, huge martial eagles, and enormous eagle owls.

Birds in the Kruger may be quite thrilling, especially when seeing mammals is scarce and you or the kids are looking for something exciting to do. There are birds that eat seeds, drink nectar, capture fish, and chase antelope and monkeys.

The Pel’s fishing owl is a highly sought-after species that may be found in several parts of the Kruger. Envision this: an owl perched precariously in the branches of towering baobab trees, its prey consisting of fish it catches in the dark.

When you see certain birds, it’s usually a sign that other animals are around. For instance, you might see yellow-billed and red-billed oxpeckers, which are common near buffalo, giraffe, and zebra. When one is aware of what to listen for and what to look for, they can frequently find animals that are otherwise hard to see.

If a leopard is sleeping under a sickle bush too near to its nest, the francolins will sound an alarm. But these kinds of things usually only happen with more seasoned guides who are aware of what to expect. For an unforgettable Kruger Park safari, book with Outlook Travel or another respectable tour operator. They will supply the knowledge, guides, and vehicles you need.

So, you might wonder, are there certain places where I have a better chance of seeing certain animals? The truth is, I don’t really know, but here is what we have learned from our experiences:

If you’re hoping to spot lions while driving from Skukuza to Satara, you should definitely stop at Satara Restcamp and the surrounding region. On this walk, be sure to stop at the Tshokwane Picnic Spot. It’s a picnic area with all the necessities, so you can relax, get some coffee, and stretch before continuing. The S100, which runs from Satara Restcamp to Gudzani waterhole, is another excellent route to observe lions.

Leopard is a common sight on the road from Lower Sabie to Skukuza because of this.

White rhinos, leopards, and wild dogs can be seen along the road from Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie Restcamps.

From Pretoriuskop Restcamp to Skukuza, we frequently saw cheetahs as well.

It is more probable to witness large herds of animals, especially elephants and buffalo, in the northern regions, close to the Shingwedzi and Letaba Restcamps.

Although animals can be seen anywhere in Kruger National Park, the routes and regions described above are only suggestions based on our 22 years of safari experience.

Rare Sightings Of Animals

As a safari company in Africa, Kabira Safaris & Tours Africa occasionally comes across extremely uncommon animal sightings that are once in a lifetime opportunities. Tourists in other cars in Kruger Park don’t always understand the significance of extraordinary sightings; for example, they may halt briefly to take it all in, only to continue on their way, perplexed by the commotion. Because of this, we have compiled a small list of animals that you should learn about; if you happen to encounter any of these, take heart—you are not alone!
Pangolin, Aardwolf, African wild cat, Aardvark, Black rhino, Suni antelope, Honey badger, Lichtensteins hartebeest, Roan antelope, Eland

We are cognizant, however, that the aforementioned list may not pique the interest of all readers. You want to be the life of the party when you return home, so you’re determined to see all the famous animals while you’re on your first vacation to South Africa. Considering that, this is the list:

Lion. Giraffe, Elephants, Zebra, Rhino, Hippopotamus, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Buffalo

It is possible to view the majority of these species on a five- or six-day safari across Kruger National Park if you follow the proper paths.

With any luck, the aforementioned essay has helped to prepare you for your trip to Kruger National Park. Whether you’re flying in for a pre-arranged safari, driving with friends and family, or taking a guided tour, it’s important to know what to expect and what to look out for. Being aware of how rare certain animals are can greatly enhance your stay and guarantee an unforgettable safari experience.

Keep your eyes peeled, your ears perked, and your speed down. Because of the heat, it is best to go in the early morning or late afternoon instead than midday. Enjoy your stay in our stunning nation!