Kruger National Park Animals

The lion is the largest cat on the continent and the most social cat in the world. Prides can range in size anywhere from three to thirty individuals. Within such a unit, the maneless females typically handle the bulk of the hunting and are prolific predators. The males are larger, with majestic manes of red, black, or fawn, and occasionally form coalitions outside prides.

Leopards are the most elusive member of the Big Five. These spotted cats are typically solitary, save for mating and when a mother is caring for her cub. Their spectacular camouflage abilities also make them difficult to 'spot.' Leopards are known for dragging their kills up trees to feast in peace without the threat of scavengers.

Despite not being the biggest or most ferocious member of the Big Five, many park rangers and safari guides will tell you that the Cape buffalo is the most dangerous remember. Do not be fooled by its bovine appearance – buffaloes are incredibly unpredictable, notoriously bad-tempered, and formidable with their horned weaponry.

The African elephant is the world's largest land mammal and one of the most captivating animals to encounter on safari. Elephants are typically gregarious and often observed in herds or solitary bulls. Cows average between 2800kg – 3500kg, while males weigh in at a hefty 5000kg – 6300kg. Kruger's elephant population is rather prolific.

The black or hook-lipped rhino is the original member of the Big Five. Its hooked lips are ideally suited for browsing. Despite being smaller than its white cousin, it is the more aggressive of the two subspecies. The black rhino is critically endangered due to rampant poaching, and every day in Kruger Park is now a fight to protect this remarkable species.

The white or square-lipped rhino is larger than the black rhino and typically boasts a longer front horn (The South African record is 1.58m). Unlike its hook-lipped cousin, the white rhino uses its square lips for grazing. This species is now on the IUCN's "threatened" list and, at the devastating rate that poachers are assaulting Kruger's population, will soon reach 'vulnerable.'

The African wild dog, or "painted dog," is the continent's largest canid and one of its most successful large predator species. This endangered animal still enjoys sanctuary in the Kruger National Park, with quite a few established packs primarily found in Kruger's southern and central parts. These hunting dogs are highly social and take down their quarry with awe-inspiring coordination.

The black-backed jackal is one of the continent's most widespread and successful scavengers. Much like the North American coyote in appearance, they adapt easily to most environments and should carrion or prey like rodents, hares, birds, and young antelope not be available; they are not above snacking on wild fruits and berries.

The side-striped jackal is significantly rarer than its black-backed cousin. They are even more omnivorous, however. Side-striped jackals prefer avoiding open grassland areas and stick to a well-watered woodland savanna. They are typically nocturnal and are far more likely to be encountered at night.

The aardwolf is on the smaller side of the canid range. Despite its rather hyena-like appearance, this nocturnal critter is entirely insectivorous. Aardwolves take refuge in underground dens and typically only emerge to snack on termite mounds after dark. The aardwolf is encountered as solitary, in pairs, or even in family groups.

It may be one of the continent's most well-known scavengers, but the spotted hyena is also a rather prolific hunter. These canids have powerful jaws that easily crunch up bones, hence the traces of white typically found in their feces. The hyena's whooping laughter is one of the unique sounds you'll hear amidst Kruger Park's evening soundtrack.

The serval is an exceptionally handsome species of wild cat, and significantly larger in size than most wild cat species. Its spotted coat makes it look somewhat like a miniature cheetah or leopard. These cats are rarely encountered as they tend to be solitary and are mainly nocturnal.

The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. This attractive, long-legged spotted cat can sprint at 120km/h when pursuing prey, though it can only sustain such a speed for a short period. The cheetah is the only cat species that do not have fully retractile claws. The species is classified as vulnerable, but a few hundred call Kruger home.

The caracal is a robustly built, medium-sized wild cat with large, tufted ears and a short tail, much like the North American bobcat. It is rich brick-red in color, which alludes to its Afrikaans name, 'rooikat' (literally 'red cat'). Sightings are rare, as these cats are typically solitary and nocturnal. They prey on small and medium-sized mammals, from mice to small antelope and birds.

The African wildcat is very similar in appearance to the domestic house cat, striped much like a tabby, but it tends to be longer in the leg and larger. They are widespread but shy, solitary, primarily nocturnal, and rarely encountered. Birds and rodents are their primary food sources but they occasionally take on larger prey like hares and hyrax.

The large-spotted genet, or Cape genet, is endemic to South Africa. Cat-like in appearance with a long, fluffy tail, these nocturnal critters are typically spotted in the crooks of trees during evening game drives. This genet is covered in large, black spots and usually rusty brown.

The African civet is the most prominent representative of the African Viverridae. Unlike its smaller cousin, the genet, the civet is strictly terrestrial. It is also significantly larger and bears a starkly mottled coat of black spots and stripes across a grey background. Keep an eye out on the ground during your nighttime safaris in Kruger Park.

Found in the southern savanna and southwestern arid zones, the dwarf mongoose is Africa's smallest carnivore. Resident packs would typically occupy large territories of woodland rich in termite mounds – their preferred den option. These small agile carnivores have reddish-brown coats and long sharp claws, which allow for the foraging of insects and fruit.

These long, slender, short-legged carnivores occur across sub-Saharan Africa's extensive wooded savanna areas. Their most striking features are an impressive black-tipped tail almost equaling their body length and a set of short curved claws, enabling them to scale the boughs of trees in search of unsuspecting prey.

Banded mongooses are highly sociable and form the largest territorial packs of any carnivore. Their name is aptly inspired by the characteristic dark brown bands that cover the length of their backs and tail tips. These small, wide-bodied carnivores are known to throw and smash their chosen prey of beetles, millipedes, and snails against rocks and tree trunks while hunting.

The water or marsh mongoose is a solitary dark-coated carnivore found in areas well-laced with waterways. They prey on crayfish, freshwater crabs, and small reptiles. Their long sturdy bodies and tiny feet enable efficient undulating movement when swimming. At the same time, their soft, exposed palms allow them to dispose of submerged prey while hunting in shallow waters effectively.

As the name suggests, this mongoose sports a large white tail reminiscent of a skunk. These nocturnal foragers occupy open grassland territories abundant in insects, mainly termites and dung beetles. When threatened, it will deter an enemy by using its evident black-and-white warning coloration and activating the stink glands with its white tail erected in defense.

The tree squirrel, also known as Smith's bush squirrel, is an arboreal, or tree-dwelling, rodent found in the savanna woodland areas of Southern and Central Africa. These small agile creatures favor holes in trees as their preferred dens. A nesting group will use mutual grooming to solidify their group bond and are known to engage in "mobbing" as a defensive stance against predators. 

The scrub hare is one of two common species of hare found in South Africa and Southern Namibia. Their preferred habitat includes scrub, tall grassland, and savanna woodland, the perfect environment for supporting their herbivorous diet of green grasses. Their most prominent feature is a pair of long grey ears, which are always upright and alert to pending danger.

Despite its misleading name, the spring hare is a large bipedal rodent indigenous to the arid regions of Southern and Central Africa. Contrasting to their otherwise cinnamon-brown overcoat, they possess a long black-tipped tail used for balance when standing on the hind legs. Their primary diet includes barley, oats, wheat, and occasionally insects.

The porcupine is the largest of the African rodents sporting an impressive prickly armory of black and white banded quills on its back, sides, and hindquarters. Porcupines are known to be relatively adaptable to any terrain, although they primarily choose to burrow in hilly rocky habitats. They forage for roots, bark, and fallen fruit under cover of dark, retreating to their hideaways just before dawn.

Also known as 'zorilla,' the striped polecat is a small carnivore resembling a skunk. Its thick, shaggy black coat is graced by four prominent white stripes extending from the face to a long bushy tail. While visible warning coloration provides the first defense against enemies, the polecat also possesses the ability to squirt pungent anal-sac fluid into the eyes of an advancing predator.

The rock dassie or hyrax is said to be the elephant's closest living relative despite its small robust stature. Aptly named, these herbivorous mammals can be found basking in colonies atop sun-kissed boulders and rocky outcrops during the early morning and late afternoon, making them particularly vulnerable to aerial predators like the Verreauxs and martial eagles.

Honey Badgers have powerful jaws, sharp claws, and thick loose-fitting skin enveloping a robust and broad body. The honey badger is a force to be reckoned with - these tenacious short-tempered hunters are known to attack predators much larger than themselves in self-defense, including deadly snakes. Interestingly, as the name suggests, they are avid honey and bee larvae, consumers.