Matt Davison
Looking for Kruger National Park animals to see on your next safari adventure? Well, this guide details must-see wildlife species that you wouldn’t want to miss.
The Kruger National Park, a leading game-watching destination, is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It is South Africa’s largest national reserve, situated across the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Encompassing 19,485 square kilometers of remarkable African wilderness and an astounding variety of Kruger animals.
Needless to say, it is a top bucket list destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
With the abundance of wildlife in South Africa, it may be overwhelming to know which animals to look out for at the Kruger. To help you formulate your African animal bucket list, we’ve listed some of the most well-known and rare animals found in Kruger National Park below.
This wildlife guide also provides Kruger National Park facts and viewing tips to help you maximize your chances of seeing iconic African animals. So without further ado, let’s look at the top animals to see for a memorable Kruger Park safari.
Kruger National Park Animals
The Kruger National Park encompasses vast African wilderness with diverse wildlife including some of the most popular South African safari animals. It is a haven for birdlife and supports critically endangered animal species such as the rhinoceros and African wild dogs.
Whether you’re planning a seven day Kruger itinerary or just spending one day in the park, be sure to keep an eye out for some of the spectacular species on this Kruger animal list.
Kruger National Park Wildlife – The Big Five
The Kruger National Park is one of the best destinations to see the Big Five roaming freely. It is home to all the Big Five animals – the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo – with reliable, unforgettable sightings. Here are some interesting facts about the Big Five animals at Kruger National Park.
Lion
The lion, Panthera Leo, is the largest cat species in Africa and the most social in the world. The Kruger is home to approximately 1,600 lions. They are habitually found together in families known as a ‘pride’ – with the average pride ranging from three to thirty individuals.
Within the pride, there are a few males, several females, and their cubs. The head of the family is the male lion with its primary responsibility being protecting the pride and its territory. The female lions (lionesses) are the primary hunters, working together to provide for the tribe.
Tip: For more information, check out these interesting facts about lioness hunting.
The male lion is characterized by its royal roar and majestic mane which provides protection and a more formidable appearance to discourage rivals. You’ll commonly find male lions patrolling their territories, either moving on their own or as a coalition. Whilst lionesses hunt and raise their cubs communally.
Lions are distinctly affectionate within the pride, rubbing heads and licking one another – that’s how they say hello. They love lazing around, spending about 20 hours a day resting or sleeping. So, you’ll probably spot them snoozing in the shade. Although they are seen throughout the Kruger, the southern region provides the best chance of seeing lions.
If this interests you, check out this article on lion and lioness roles to learn more about their differences in the pride.
Leopard
Leopards are characterized by their captivating pattern, which comprises black spotted markings arranged in rosettes on golden-yellow fur. Males and females vary in weight with an average large male weighing about 154 pounds. Whereas females are significantly lighter at about 66 pounds.
Unlike lions, leopards are usually solitary cats except for a mother caring for her cub or a mating. These stocky, large cats have immense strength which allows them to drag their kills up trees and safeguard them from rival predators. They feed on a variety of animals including impala, baboons, birds, and wildebeest.
As the most elusive of all the big cats, the leopard is one of the most desired sightings in the Kruger. There are about 1000 leopards in the Kruger National Park, with the best chance of spotting these shy predators being in the southern part of the Kruger at the Sabie and Shingwedzi.
Wondering what the difference between a leopard and a cheetah is? Have a look at this guide on the cheetah vs. leopard to see the differences between these two big cats.
Elephant
The African elephant is one of the most mesmerizing Kruger Park animals. They are the world’s largest land animal, with males weighing up to 7 tons and females up to 4 tons.
These sociable animals are commonly found in herds led by an older female elephant (the matriarch) or as solitary bulls. Elephant herds are likely to be found near a water source – they can draw about 17 liters of water at once. They also enjoy mud baths as it wards off parasites and protects them from the severe African sun.
If you were hoping to go on an elephant safari, Kruger National Park is an excellent option. There is a plentiful elephant population in the Kruger, with approximately 20,000 individuals.
The large rivers and dams provide phenomenal sighting opportunities on a Kruger National Park game drive.
Rhinoceros
The Kruger supports two species of African rhino – the black rhino and white rhino. So, what’s the difference between the two? Contrary to their names, the prime difference is the shape of their lips.
The black rhino, the Big Five’s original member, has a hooked-lip that is well suited for browsing. On the other hand, the white rhino is square-lipped and usually has a longer front-length horn. Black rhinos are smaller in size and more aggressive than white rhinos.
Although both species are critically endangered, they are easily spotted in the Kruger with less than 4,000 rhinos – about 3,549 white rhinos and 268 black rhinos. You’ll most likely find black rhinos browsing in between dense bushes, whereas white rhinos are often seen grazing in open grasslands.
The south of the Kruger Park provides ideal rhino sightings, particularly the area around Berg en Dal, Pretoriuskop towards Skukuza.
Buffalo
Cape Buffalo, known for its staggering unpredictability and notorious bad-temper, is the most dangerous member of the Big Five. They are generally found in herds, but you may come across an individual at times.
Both males and females have horns, however, the bulls are distinguished by a heavy boss. This provides additional protection and reinforcement of dominance during fights – especially with their eternal enemy, the lion.
These herbivores are bulk grazers who convert long grasslands into a more favorable environment for wildlife with particular feeding habits. Similar to elephants, buffalo protect their bodies from the sun and parasites by coating themselves in mud.
However, their pampering session goes a step further as they exfoliate by rubbing themselves against a tree stump or rock once the mud hardens.
There are about 2,500 of these powerful beasts in the Kruger. The herds can be extensive, you could spot hundreds of them moving through the park.
Tip: Check out this guide on when to visit Kruger Park for a perfectly timed vacation.
Kruger Mammal List
There are an estimated 145 mammal species in the Kruger. From the mighty hippopotamus to the tiny tree squirrel, the park has an abundance of mammals both big and small. We’ve listed some of the most popular Kruger Park mammals below:
- The Giraffe
- The Cheetah – the world’s fastest land mammal!
- The Hippopotamus
- The Civet
- The Serval
- The Chacma Baboon
- The Rock Dassie
- The African Wild Dog – one of Southern Africa’s highly endangered species
Kruger National Park Wildlife – Antelope
There are 72 antelope species in Africa, with 21 present in the Kruger National Park. Some of these wondrous wildlife species include:
- The Waterbuck
- The Lichtenstein Hartebeest
- The Black Sable
- The Eland
- The Bushbuck
- The Mountain Reedbuck
In the Kruger, you’ll find an abundance of antelope gracefully strolling around. From the common antelope such as the Impala and Greater Kudu to the rare Eland and Sable. You’re likely to come across various species in the park. Below are a few fascinating things to know about the impala and greater kudu.
Impala
The impala is the most common antelope found in the Kruger – you’ll most likely encounter one when entering the park. They are so social that they might just gracefully stroll up to your porch.
This popular Kruger animal lives in herds of up to about 40 individuals. This increases their chance of survival as they leap and disperse in various directions when being attacked to confuse predators. When viewing these impressive herds of impala, keep an eye out for their main predators, such as the leopard, who may be close by.
Male impala (rams) are distinguishable from females (ewes), with their Lyre-shaped and ringed horns. These medium-sized antelope are both grazers and browsers that feed on leaves, grass, twigs, acacia pods, and fruit.
Impalas are seen all over the Kruger, with an estimated 10,000 impala herds. However, spotting impalas in Mopaneveld is usually uncommon. The largest concentrations are in the southern region of the park, beside the Sabi River.
Tip: If you’re wondering where to stay, have a look at this guide on the best camps in Kruger Park.
Greater Kudu
One of South Africa’s most admired antelope species, the Greater Kudu, is an iconic animal in the Kruger with between 11,200 and 17,300 kudus in the park. These large antelopes display strong sexual dimorphism in that males carry substantial, spiraled horns with long-haired beards. Whereas females are hornless with shorter fur.
Tip: If you want to learn more about wildlife species horns, have a look at this article on animals with horns in Africa.
In the herds, the group of around 20 kudus usually separate with young cows remaining with their mothers. Whilst the young bulls develop groups with older groups following sexual maturity – usually at two years. As a result of size-based dominance hierarchies, the largest bull is commonly in charge of the kudu herd.
You’ll typically find this browsing species feeding on trees and shrub leaves as well as fruits, creepers, and pods. For plentiful kudu sightings, keep in mind that these animals prefer dense bush. They are commonly seen in south-western foothills and woodlands, riverine forest areas, and woodlands in the Sabie River area.
Tip: If you’re only spending a day in the park, have a look at this one-day Kruger itinerary to get the most out of your visit.
Ready to See the Animals of Kruger National Park?
It’s easy to see why the Kruger is one of the world’s premier wildlife viewing destinations. From the heavy hippo to the elegant impala, you’ll find some of the most sought-after sightings in the park.
So, why not take a trip to the rich untouched African wilderness to see spectacular animals in the Kruger National Park?
Need some help planning your trip to the Kruger National Park, South Africa? Why not read our guide on the best Kruger Park lodges or all-inclusive safari vacations in Africa.
