Setting off on a safari offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness wildlife in their natural habitat. In this guide, we’ll share essential tips for spotting wildlife on safari to help you make the most of your adventure. From the savannas of Kenya to the riverbanks of Botswana, the thrill of spotting a lion or a herd of elephants in the wild is indescribable. But like all great adventures, it requires a delicate blend of skill, patience, and expertise, honed by years of experience in the African wilderness.
At GILTEDGE, we partner with some of the finest Southern African safari retreats. We’ve spoken to expert safari guides whose deep understanding of animal behavior, habitat preferences, and seasonal patterns makes them the unsung heroes of these expeditions. Their expertise transforms a simple game drive into an immersive wildlife experience, maximizing your chances of unforgettable sightings.
To help you make the most of your safari experience, let’s explore some top tips from these expert guides for spotting various animals in the wild. Remember, understanding animal behavior is crucial when it comes to tips for spotting wildlife on safari.
The Elusive Cheetah
Cheetahs, known for their incredible speed, require a keen eye to spot. As one guide from Angama Mara in Kenya explains:
“When spotting cheetahs, we look for availability of their prey. Cheetahs like vantage points like the top of termite hills, dead lying trees, or under big trees for shade in the heat of the day.”
Understanding their preferred habitats and behavior patterns significantly increases your chances of a sighting.
The Stealthy Leopard
Leopards are masters of camouflage, making them challenging to spot. Pierre Coetsee from Lion Sands Game Reserve offers a unique tip:
“When a leopard is actively marking its territory, the scent smells like fresh popcorn,” he says. Safari guides use sensory cues like this, along with sightings of vultures or eagles circling above – often indicating a nearby carcass – to track leopards and other big cats in the wild.
Additionally, Stuart Buy from Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve shares a piece of wisdom passed down from his uncle:
“Look for something that belongs but doesn’t belong.” He elaborates, explaining that leopards can be found in rocky outcrops, trees, or termite mounds. Often, it’s the subtle twitch of an ear or flick of a tail that will catch your eye and signal their presence.
The Wandering Cape Wild Dog
Wild dogs, though rare, can be spotted with patience and knowledge. Pieter van Wyk from Mala Mala Game Reserve shares:
“Generally wild dogs move around a lot, covering fairly sizable amounts of terrain,” –meaning they never stay in one place. However, during the denning season in the dry months, wild dogs tend to stay near their dens, which increases the chances of spotting them if you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
The Lurking Crocodile
Spotting a crocodile in the wild requires a keen eye for subtle details. Londani Stayfree King, a guide at Desert & Delta Safaris, shares his method for tracking these ancient reptiles:
“Look for eyes and snouts just above the water’s surface,” he advises. Ripples or disturbances in the water are also good indicators of a crocodile’s presence. During mating season, you might even hear the low growls of males or the hissing of females – a sure sign that crocodiles are nearby.
The Invincible Hippo
When searching for hippos, Pierre from Lion Sands Game Reserve recommends:
“Look for their ears and eyes flicking above the water. Hippos have small valves in their ears that close when they submerge, and each flick of the ear opens the valve as they come back up. Similar to whales, which have a blowhole that opens and closes, hippos have two valves in their nostrils. When you drive by, you might catch a glimpse of a spray of water, which is a clear indication that they’re present.
The Fearless Lion
Lions, despite their reputation as apex predators, often seek refuge from the heat. When looking for lions, focus on:
“Rocky, bushy areas, and along the riverine areas,” advise the Angama Mara guides. During the day, they can often be found under bushes or trees, “with their tails flickering to get rid of flies.”
The Giant Elephant
Elephant spotting varies with the seasons. The guides from Thornybush Game Lodge explain:
“There’s nothing an elephant loves more on a hot summer’s day than a good swim! If you spend time around the deeper dams during the heat of the day, you have a very high chance of being able to catch the amazing sight of elephants swimming.”
In winter, they advise:
“Take an adventure down into the dry riverbeds to look for the elephants. It is very common to see elephants digging holes in the dry riverbeds. They dig in the sand until they reach the shallow water table beneath the surface, the water then filters through the sand into the hole they dug allowing the elephants to quench their thirst.”
The Habitual Hyena
Hyenas, one of the most misunderstood creatures, have distinct patterns that can help in spotting them. Stuart Buy from Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve advises:
“Hyenas are creatures of habit, often using the same trails they’re comfortable with. So, spotting their movements on a prominent game path they regularly use is a reliable strategy.”
The Formidable Buffalo
Buffalo movements are heavily influenced by seasonal changes. Andy Haggart from the Zambezi Queen notes:
“Seasonal variations in grass availability and nutritional quality influence the movement patterns of buffalo. In the rainy season, they graze on open plains, while in the dry season, they seek refuge in woodlands, hilly terrains, and along riverbanks.”
The Adaptable White Rhino
At Founder’s Lodge, guide Cillie Steenkamp explains how seasonal changes affect white rhino movements.
During the dry season, rhinos tend to congregate around water sources. “Rhinos focus more on grazing the remaining vegetation,” he says. With cooler weather, they also become more visible during the day. In contrast, the wet season allows them to roam across larger areas, taking advantage of the abundance of water and food.
The Migrating Wildebeest
The wildebeest migration is one of nature’s most spectacular events. When trying to spot these animals, especially during migration, look for telltale signs in the landscape. According to the Angama Mara guides:
“You can see many trails in the savanna, grass flattened, trampled on, or eaten suggesting their presence.” Their dung is also a key indicator, often found in shaded areas under trees. These visual cues can help you locate large herds of wildebeest, even from a considerable distance.
Birdwatching on Safari
For bird enthusiasts, Dale Jackson from Tanda Tula offers this advice:
“You’ve got to get up early, as that’s when many birds are most active. This is where a good app, like a birding app, becomes useful. With a speaker, you can often call birds in or attract them closer.”
He adds that throughout the day, different species become active:
“Your larger raptor species, which rely heavily on thermals, become more active as the day warms up. As the hot air rises, vultures – like the Cape vulture in this area, which comes down from the Drakensberg mountains – begin to soar into the Lowveld. These birds can cover several hundred kilometers in a day.”