The Big 5
Elephant [13,000]
- Largest land mammal, iconic trunk
- Found in herds led by older females
- Mixed grazer and browser
Tip: Much larger than rhinos or hippos
Lion [1,600]
- Large with tan coat, males have manes
- Lives in prides led by dominant males
- Brave hunter, often active at night
Tip: Much larger than leopards, lacks rosette markings
Leopard [2,000]
- Short, sleek yellow coat with black rosettes
- Secretive, largely nocturnal hunter
- Solitary except when mating/rearing cubs
Tip: Smaller rosettes than jaguars
Black Rhinoceros
- Two horned, wide-lipped grazer
- Solitary animals favoring dense bush
- Critically endangered
Tip: Two horns and wide mouth versus square-lipped white rhino
African Buffalo [40,000]
- Massive bodies with curved black horns
- Found in large herds called “dagha” boys
- Grazers dependent on water
Tip: Large herding animal unlike solitary Cape buffalo
Other Mammals A-Z
Aardvark
- Large, nocturnal mammal with long ears and snout
- Strong claws for digging termite mounds
- Up to 60 lbs, solely insectivorous
Tip: Enormous claws unlike pangolins
Aardwolf
- Striped, hyena-like animal that feeds on termites
- Long, sticky tongue for consuming insects
- Nocturnal and solitary
Tip: Thin stripes and insectivorous diet unlike hyena
African Civet
- Long, stocky body with musky odor glands
- Omnivore that eats small vertebrates, carrion
- Mainly nocturnal
Tip: Striped coat and blunt nose unlike genets
African Elephant [13,000]
- Largest land mammal, iconic trunk
- Found in herds led by older females
- Mixed grazer and browser
Tip: Much larger than rhinos or hippos
African Manatee
- Large, rotund aquatic mammal with paddle-shaped flippers
- Herbivorous grazer on aquatic vegetation
- Very scarce in Kruger; found in rivers
Tip: Much larger than clawless otters
African Wild Dog [300]
- Patchy brown, black and white coat with large ears
- Hunts in closely bonded packs
- Endangered species
Tip: Irregular coat patterns unlike hyenas
African Wildcat
- Small, tabby cat with reddish-brown fur and stripes
- Solitary hunter of small rodents and birds
- Nocturnal, but can be diurnal
Tip: Smaller and striped unlike servals
Bat-Eared Fox
- Small canid with enormous ears and black and tan coat
- Insectivorous, foraging mainly for termites
- Lives in pairs or family groups
Tip: Enormous ears unlike other fox species
Black-Backed Jackal [3,000]
- Black saddle marking on back with tan underside
- Omnivorous opportunistic feeder
- Monogamous pairs defend territories
Tip: Larger than side-striped jackal with black “saddle”
Black Rhinoceros
- Two horned, wide-lipped grazer
- Solitary animals favoring dense bush
- Critically endangered
Tip: Two horns and wide mouth versus square-lipped white rhino
Blue Wildebeest [11,000]
- Large bovine-like antelope with blue-black coat
- Males have large horns curved inward
- Form large herds
Tip: Bluish tinge unlike sable antelope
Burchell’s Ground Squirrel
- Small, striped squirrel of open plains
- Makes sharp squeaking alarm call
- Lives in colonies
Tip: Diurnal unlike nocturnal tree squirrels
Burchell’s Zebra [30,000]
- Black and white striped pattern
- Each zebra’s pattern is unique
- Form herds led by dominant mares
Tip: Wider stripes than mountain zebra
Bushbuck [3,500]
- Reddish-brown coat with white underside and spots
- Secretive forest antelope
- Often near watercourses
Tip: More reddish than gray duiker; spotted and striped legs
Cape Hare
- Larger hare with brown coat and long black-tipped ears
- Uses speed and zig-zagging to evade predators
- Nocturnal grass-grazer
Tip: Larger than scrub hares with less grizzled coat
Cape Porcupine
- Large rodent with long, black and white quills
- Forages at night for vegetation
- Lives in small family groups in burrows
Tip: Far larger and quilled unlike cane rats
Caracal
- Reddish coat and distinctive long, tufted ears
- Solitary predator specializing in birds
- Prefers steppes and semi-desert areas
Tip: Lacks facial markings and spots of African lynxes
Chacma Baboon
- Large monkey with long snout and large canines
- Olive brown fur and dark face, hands and feet
- Lives in social troops
Tip: Larger and less colorful than vervet monkeys
Cheetah [150]
- Tan coat with black spots and stripes on face
- Lean, long-legged built for speed
- Hunts by day using rapid acceleration
Tip: Distinct “tear lines” from eyes to mouth
Dwarf Mongoose
- Very small brown mongoose with short legs
- Lives in large family groups
- Diurnal insectivore
Tip: Much smaller than banded mongoose
Elephant Shrews
- Long, pointed snout and long tail
- Insectivorous; eats ants, termites, small invertebrates
- Various species from short-eared to giant
Tip: Distinct shrew-like appearance
Eland [250]
- Sandy brown coat with thin, spiral horns
- World’s largest antelope species
- Primarily grazers and browsers
Tip: Far larger than kudu with straight, V-shaped horns
Giraffe [8,000]
- Iconic long necks, spotted pattern
- Males engage in “necking” fights
- Primarily browsers up in trees
Tip: Far larger and leggier than antelope
Grey Rhebok [40]
- Gray coat with black accent stripe and round rump
- Only African antelope without facial markings
- Endemic to southern Africa
Tip: No markings on face unlike impala or reedbuck
Hippopotamus [3,000]
- Large, semi-aquatic grazer with enormous mouth
- Spends days in water, nights on land grazing
- Aggressive, especially on land
Tip: Far more aquatic than warthogs
Honey Badger
- Black and white coat with low, stout body
- Fearless scavenger and hunter
- Lives solitary or in pairs
Tip: Contrasting colors unlike other mustelids
Impala [160,000]
- Common, reddish-brown coats with white underbellies
- Males have S-shaped horns
- Known for dramatic leaps
Tip: Smaller and lighter than waterbuck
Klipspringer
- Compact antelope with short, sturdy legs for rocky hills
- Males have thick, rounded horns
- Able to stand on tiptoes
Tip: Much smaller than oribi with shorter legs
Kudu [15,000]
- Grayish coat with white stripes and spiral horns
- Browser that eats leaves and shoots
- Males have large, fan-like horns
Tip: Narrower stripes and tighter spirals than eland
Large-Spotted Genet
- Cat-like carnivore with black and white spotted coat
- Black and white banded tail with white tip
- Arboreal nocturnal hunter
Tip: Larger spots than small-spotted genet
Leopard [2,000]
- Short, sleek yellow coat with black rosettes
- Long tail for balance in trees
- Secretive, camouflaged hunter
Tip: Smaller rosettes and overall size vs jaguar and lion
Lesser Bushbaby
- Small nocturnal prosimian with large ears and eyes
- High-pitched cries like a human baby
- Nocturnal hunter of insects
Tip: Much smaller than thick-tailed greater galago
Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest [50]
- Sandy brown coat with black markings on face and legs
- Long, narrow face and ringed horns
- Endemic to southern Africa
Tip: Lighter color and different horn shape than topi
Lion [1,600]
- Large with tan coat, males have manes
- Lives in prides led by dominant males
- Brave hunter, often active at night
Tip: Much larger than leopards, lacks rosette markings
Marsh Mongoose
- Solitary, nocturnal hunter of wetland margins
- Long brown coat and bushy tail
- Mainly eats fish and crabs
Tip: Larger and shaggier than white-tailed mongoose
Mountain Reedbuck [100]
- Shaggy, grey-brown coat with pale underside
- Males have thick, forward-arching horns
- Mostly browsers favoring mountainous terrain
Tip: Grey coat and habitat unlike common reedbuck
Nyala [500]
- Spiral horns and striped coat in males
- Shy browsers found in dense bush
- Nocturnal drinkers
Tip: Shorter horns and stripes versus kudu
Oribi [40]
- Small, reddish-brown antelope with white underbelly
- Live solitary or in pairs in grasslands
- Rely on speed and hiding to evade predators
Tip: Much smaller than impala or grey rhebok
Porcupine
- Large rodent with long, black and white quills
- Forages at night for vegetation
- Lives in small family groups in burrows
Tip: Quilled unlike similarly sized cane rats
Red Duiker
- Small, red-brown antelope with slight crest on head
- Males have short, straight horns
- Nocturnal browsers
Tip: Reddish versus blue duiker; smaller than klipspringer
Reedbuck
- Weigh up to 70 Kg and rams have 950mm shoulder height
- Ewes are smaller and only 800 mm at the shoulders
- Belly is white, tail bushy with white underneath
Rock Hyrax
- Small, stocky mammal with short ears and brown coat
- Lives in colonies in rock crevices
- Herbivorous grazer
Tip: Short ears unlike rabbits; social unlike hyraxes
Rock Rabbit
- Small, reddish coney found in rocky habitats
- Short, rounded ears and stubby legs
- Herbivorous on grasses and shrubs
Tip: Reddish coat and rocky habitat unlike scrub hares
Sable Antelope [350]
- Jet black coat with white facial markings and underside
- Large, backward-arching horns
- Graze in wooded grasslands
Tip: Black coats unlike blue wildebeest or roan antelope
Scrub Hare
- Smaller hare with grizzled brownish-grey coat
- Long ears with black tips; black and white tail
- Nocturnal herbivore of scrublands
Tip: Smaller and more grizzled than Cape hare
Serval
- Pale yellow coat with dark spots and stripes
- Long legs and large ears
- Nocturnal hunter of rodents
Tip: Finer spots and leggier build vs. caracal
Sharpe’s Grysbok
- Small, solitary antelope with humped back
- Males have short, straight horns
- Lives in thickets in south/east Africa
Tip: Smaller than common duiker with humped back
Side-Striped Jackal
- Tan coat with white stripe on flank and black tip on tail
- Scavenges carrion and small mammals
- Usually nocturnal
Tip: Smaller than black-backed jackal and lacks saddle
Slender Mongoose
- Long, slender mongoose with grizzled coat
- Primarily insectivorous
- Nocturnal forager
Tip: More slender than white-tailed mongoose
Small-Spotted Genet
- Slightly smaller than large-spotted genet
- More distinct black and white markings
- Tail is white tipped
Tip: Smaller spots than large-spotted genet
South African Hedgehog
- Small nocturnal insectivore covered in spines
- Rolls into tight ball as defense against predators
- Solitary and terrestrial
Tip: Spiny unlike tenrecs
South African Springhare
- Large nocturnal rodent with long hind legs for hopping gait
- Powerful clawed forelimbs for burrowing
- Herbivorous grazing on grass
Tip: Large size and hopping gait unlike hares
Spotted Hyaena [3,000]
- Spotted grayish-brown coat
- Powerful jaws and sloped hindquarters
- Makes “laughing” vocalizations
Tip: More spots than wild dogs
Steenbok
- Small, upright antelope with orange coat
- Males have short, straight horns
- Nocturnal grazers of grasslands
Tip: Orange color and grassland habitat unlike grey rhebok
Striped Polecat
- Small black and white striped predator with short legs
- Colours: black with 4 white stripes originating on head
Tip: Striped unlike other polecats
Suni
- Tiny antelope with shaggy, greyish-brown coat
- Males have thin, straight horns
- Nocturnal browsers
Tip: Far smaller than oribi or steenbok
Thick-Tailed Bushbaby
- Large nocturnal prosimian with bushy tail
- Makes loud, distinctive cries
- Solitary and territorial
Tip: Larger than lesser bushbabies with longer tail
Tree Hyrax
- Small, rodent-like mammal with short ears and brown fur
- Found in savanna woodland trees
- Nocturnal folivore
Tip: Arboreal unlike ground dwelling cane rats
Tree Squirrel
- Total length 350 mm, half is tail
- Weighs only 200 grams
- Coat colour varies throughout the region
Tip: Arboreal unlike ground squirrels
Tsessebe [250]
- Bulls 140 Kg and 1.2 m shoulder height
- Cows 120 Kg and slightly smaller
- Both sexes grow horns
Tip: Larger than impala
Vervet Monkey
- Smaller monkey with gray-green coat and black face/limbs
- Males have blue scrotum
- Lives in troops led by males
Tip: More colorful than drab chacma baboons
Warthog [5,000]
- Grey coat, sparse hairs, and facial “warts”
- Runs holding tail upright
- Omnivorous grazer
Tip: Much smaller than forest hogs
Waterbuck [6,000]
- Shaggy brown coat marked by white ring on rump
- Males have heavily ridged horns
- Never far from water sources
Tip: White circle versus impala; smaller than kudu
White-Tailed Mongoose
- Small, grizzled grey mongoose with bushy white-tipped tail
- Nocturnal hunter of rodents and snakes
- Solitary except when mating or with young
Tip: White tipped tail unlike other mongoose species
Wild Dog [300]
- Patchy brown, black and white coat
- Large, rounded ears
- Hunts in packs led by alpha pair
Tip: Splotchy coat and social packs differentiate from hyena
Hope this gives you a helpful starting guide for spotting incredible mammals on your own Kruger safari.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mammals in Kruger National Park
What is the best time of year to see mammals in Kruger National Park?
The ideal time is during the dry season from May to September when vegetation is sparse and animals congregate around water holes. This makes spotting and identification easier. Still, year-round game drives can yield great sightings.
Where are the best places to see the “Big 5” within Kruger?
Your best bet is central Kruger around Satara Camp. The open grasslands here attract large grazers like buffalo which draw big predators like lion and leopard. The Sabie River around Skukuza rest camp is another great area for spotting elephant, rhino and other mega-fauna.
What is the best way to tell warthogs apart from bushpigs?
Warthogs have larger “warts” on their faces and very sparse, bristly hairs over their bodies. They also hold their tails upright when running. Bushpigs have a full coat of hair, smaller facial bumps, and run with tails down.
How can I identify between impala and springbok?
While both are tan antelope, impala have lyre-shaped horns and white underbellies whereas springbok have straight horns and cinnamon colored undersides. Impala also exhibit their characteristic high leap when alarmed.
What is the easiest way to tell vervet monkeys apart from baboons?
Vervet monkeys have dog-like faces but more colorful fur in shades of white, gray, and brown. Baboons are larger overall and have very elongated snouts. Vervets live in smaller troops while baboons form enormous groups.
Let me know if you have any other mammal questions!
