Our rates are inclusive of Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Beyond the Big 5: Guide to Rare Animals on Kruger Park Safaris

While the Big 5 dominate the spotlight, the rare animals in Kruger National Park offer an even deeper wilderness experience. From the endangered African wild dog to the mysterious aardvark, each sighting is a treasure.  

A lady taking a picture of the full length of a leopard on grass during a Kruger park safari

When most people think of Kruger Park safaris, their minds immediately jump to the Big 5—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. But did you know that Kruger National Park is home to some of the rarest and most elusive animals in Africa? Beyond the famous giants, the park teems with lesser-known species that are just as fascinating.  

 

If you’re planning a Kruger Park Safari tour, keep your eyes peeled for these extraordinary creatures. From critically endangered predators to rare antelope and peculiar nocturnal animals, this guide will introduce you to the hidden gems of Kruger National Park animals.  

 

Exciting and extraordinary: Rare animals on Kruger park safaris

African wild dog – The painted wolf  

Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus

Conservation Status: Endangered  

 

One of Africa’s most endangered predators, the African wild dog, is a rare but thrilling sight on Kruger Park safaris. Known for their striking patchwork coats and incredible teamwork, these canines are among the most efficient hunters in the bush.

 

Why they’re special

  • Only about 6,600 wild dogs remain in the wild.  
  • They hunt in packs with a success rate of over 80% (far higher than lions!).  
  • Unlike other canines, they have only four toes per foot.  

 

Best places to spot them 

Northern Kruger, particularly around Pafuri and Shingwedzi, offers the best chances of seeing these elusive hunters.  

 

Aardvark – The nocturnal oddity

Scientific Name: Orycteropus afer  

Conservation Status: Least Concern (but rarely seen)  

 

The aardvark is one of the most unusual yet fascinating rare animals in Kruger National Park. This nocturnal, burrowing mammal looks like a mix between a pig, a rabbit, and an anteater—but it’s actually unrelated to any of them!  

Why they’re special

  • They use powerful claws to dig up termite mounds.  
  • Their name means “earth pig” in Afrikaans.  
  • They have a sticky, foot-long tongue to slurp up insects.  

 

Best time to see them

Dusk or dawn during the dry season (May-September) when they venture out to feed.  

 

Pangolin – The armored ghost

Scientific Name: Smutsia temminckii (Ground Pangolin)  

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered  

 

The pangolin is the world’s most trafficked mammal, making sightings on a Kruger Park Safari tour incredibly rare. Covered in keratin scales, this shy creature rolls into a ball when threatened.  

Why they’re special  

  • They are the only scaled mammals on Earth.  
  • A single pangolin can eat up to 70 million ants a year! 
  • They are highly protected, and poaching remains a severe threat.  

Where to find them

Your best chance is on night drives in the southern and central regions of Kruger.  

 

Serval – The elegant stalker

Scientific Name: Leptailurus serval 

Conservation Status: Least Concern (but elusive)  

 

With its long legs and striking spotted coat, the serval is one of the most graceful Kruger National Park animals. These medium-sized cats specialise in hunting rodents and birds in tall grass.  

Why they’re special  

  • They can leap over 3 meters (10 feet) to catch prey.  
  • Their large ears help them detect rodents underground.  
  • Unlike leopards, they rarely climb trees.  

Best viewing spots

Look for them in open grasslands near Satara or Lower Sabie.  

 

Roan antelope – The regal grazer  

Scientific Name: Hippotragus equinus  

Conservation Status: Near Threatened  

 

One of Africa’s largest and rarest antelopes, the roan, is a majestic sight. With its horse-like face and striking facial markings, this species is highly localised in Kruger.  

Why they’re special

  • They form small herds led by a dominant male.  
  • Their name comes from their reddish-brown (“roan”) coat.  
  • Fewer than 100 individuals remain in Kruger.  

Where to find them  

The northern plains near Shingwedzi and Punda Maria are your best bet.  

 

Honey badger – The fearless trickster  

Scientific Name: Mellivora capensis 

Conservation Status: Least Concern (but hard to spot)  

 

Don’t let its small size fool you—the honey badger is one of the toughest rare animals in Kruger National Park. Known for its fearlessness, this creature will take on lions, hyenas, and even venomous snakes!  

Why they’re special

  • Their skin is thick enough to resist bee stings and porcupine quills.  
  • They have been known to escape from enclosures by digging or climbing.  
  • Their intelligence rivals that of primates.  

Best time to see them

Early morning or late afternoon in savanna and woodland areas.  

 

Black rhinoceros – The critically endangered giant 

Scientific Name: Diceros bicornis

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered  

 

While the white rhino is more commonly seen on Kruger Park safaris, the black rhino is far rarer. Smaller and more aggressive than its cousin, this prehistoric-looking beast is a true icon of African wildlife.  

Why they’re special 

  • They have a prehensile upper lip for grasping leaves.  
  • Fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild.  
  • They are solitary and highly territorial.  

Best viewing areas

The remote northern sections of Kruger offer the best chances.  

 

Tips for spotting rare animals on Kruger park safaris  

 

Go with an Expert Guide – Local rangers know where rare species are most active.  

Try Night Drives – Many elusive animals, like pangolins and aardvarks, are nocturnal.  

Visit Remote Areas – The northern regions of Kruger are less crowded and richer in rare wildlife.  

Be Patient – Rare sightings often require persistence and luck!  

 

Conclusion  

While the Big 5 dominate the spotlight, the rare animals in Kruger National Park offer an even deeper wilderness experience. From the endangered African wild dog to the mysterious aardvark, each sighting is a treasure.  

 

Ready to explore beyond the ordinary? Plan Your Safari Now: Reach out to us at Kruger Gate Hotel today for the best Kruger Park safaris and luxury stays near the park! Your Kruger Park Safari tour and encountering the wild side of Africa that few ever see await! 

Guest Reviews

Wonderfull

Posted on 05/08/2025 by Google

Beautiful. Relaxing. Food and drinks was excellent.

Posted on 05/08/2025 by Google

Crafting Shelter and Building dreams

Posted on 03/08/2025 by Google

Great location, great service, and cost. The buffet it’s been one of the best I ever had for breakfast and dinner! You can reserve private and shared safari at the hotel.

Bonus tip: We used our credit card points for this stay!

Posted on 03/08/2025 by Google

We had an amazing 3-night stay at Kruger Gate Hotel. The property is clean and well-maintained. We enjoyed a relaxing spa day and had fun at the mini golf course! The breakfast selection was wide and varied. The buffet-style dinner by the fire pit, with local singing and dancing, made the evenings feel so welcoming. The food was great!

The pool and restaurant deck overlooking the field was the highlight for me—it’s their signature, in my opinion. It was really nice to see animals up close right from the hotel. We were very impressed by the hospitality and welcoming attitude of the staff, which made our stay even more enjoyable.

We’d especially like to thank Mishack for being so attentive and taking such great care of us—you truly made a difference!

We also booked our safari tour through the hotel. Our driver and guide, Enzo, was incredible! Thank you for helping us complete the Big Five—seeing the rhinos up close on our last day in Kruger National Park made it truly unforgettable.

I’d highly recommend staying here. Our room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable!

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Google

Great experience ever

Posted on 29/07/2025 by Google

Kruger Gate Hotel is a magical place for a safari adventure! Let me start by saying that because of all the services Kruger Gate Hotel offers, we were able to plan a perfect safari experience for our family. In fact, once I found Kruger Gate Hotel, the trip almost planned itself. Its airport transport service made getting to and from Skukuza Airport so simple. From there, our adventure began. We booked three private guided safaris through the hotel – a full day, a morning, and an afternoon safari –and each was amazing. Justice (of Kurt Safari) was our guide each day and had an amazing ability to spot animals, including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, impalas, nyalas, waterbucks, wildebeests, warthogs, and hyenas, as well as the elusive big cats and rhinos. Just as amazing was the hotel itself – the perfect place for relaxing in between safaris. From its infinity pool one afternoon, we saw a herd of elephants, including baby elephants. Another day, there was a giraffe, and on our final day hippos in the distance. The hotel architecture was charming – a safari resort with all the modern amenities, and the staff was so welcoming. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. And the food was delicious – the best breakfast and dinner buffets I’ve ever experienced. Don’t miss the omelet station for breakfast, and the dinner selections (appetizer, main course, and dessert) were outstanding, all in a lovely outdoor setting. Remember to bring ear plugs because the baboons in the distance can make a sound that wakes you up. The trip of a lifetime!

Posted on 27/07/2025 by Google

I would like to recommend the service of Mr. Excellent at the Pool bar.
He was so nice and helpful. We enjoyed every meal.

Posted on 27/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

I\'m a repeat guest at this hotel, and for good reason! The location is unbeatable, and the breakfast and dinner buffets are exceptional. The ambiance is lovely, and the view from the deck is simply stunning. I\'m already looking forward to my next stay

Posted on 01/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

Our stay at Kruger Gate Hotel has been absolutely incredible from start to finish. We booked through Tour Compass, who were fantastic in every way, from organising seamless transfers to arranging unforgettable safari experiences where we were lucky enough to see the Big Five and so much more. Their attention to detail and professionalism made everything feel effortless.

The hotel staff went above and beyond to ensure our stay was nothing less than perfect. Every interaction was warm, attentive, and genuine. A true highlight of our visit was the private dining experience, hosted by the wonderfully polite and professional Rhandzu, who guided us through each course with care and enthusiasm. The setting, overlooking the edge of the national park was breathtaking and we were even joined by a baby civet cat, which made the evening feel truly magical.

Tshepo was also incredibly friendly and accommodating during the meal, ensuring we were comfortable and had everything we needed. The food throughout our stay was outstanding. The buffet was full of variety and flavour, I even tried crocodile kebabs, and to my surprise, they were absolutely delicious!

Compliments to the chefs, both at the buffet and during our private meal. Every dish was expertly prepared and beautifully presented. This has been a stay to remember, and we cannot recommend Kruger Gate Hotel and Tour Compass highly enough.

Posted on 01/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

My experience at this hotel was very good it was a nice hotel i stayed for 2 weeks at the hotel with my parents. There were some very nice people like Gibson, Karabo, Enoch, Enzo, Aleck, Freedom, Lucia, Dzunisani and Dion! Dion was verry good at driving and spotting he realy deserves it to be a ranger thats also he ‘s dream. The massage was also very good I had a Nice treatment with a manicure! So the hotel deserves 5 stars⭐️!

Posted on 27/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

Kruger Gate Hotel is a magical place for a safari adventure! Let me start by saying that because of all the services Kruger Gate Hotel offers, we were able to plan a perfect safari experience for our family. In fact, once I found Kruger Gate Hotel, the trip almost planned itself. Its airport transport service made getting to and from Skukuza Airport so simple. From there, our adventure began. We booked three private guided safaris through the hotel – a full day, a morning, and an afternoon safari –and each was amazing. Justice (of Kurt Safari) was our guide each day and had an amazing ability to spot animals, including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, impalas, nyalas, waterbucks, wildebeests, warthogs, and hyenas, as well as the elusive big cats and rhinos. Just as amazing was the hotel itself – the perfect place for relaxing in between safaris. From its infinity pool one afternoon, we saw a herd of elephants, including baby elephants. Another day, there was a giraffe, and on our final day hippos in the distance. The hotel architecture was charming – a safari resort with all the modern amenities, and the staff was so welcoming. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. And the food was delicious – the best breakfast and dinner buffets I’ve ever experienced. Don’t miss the omelet station for breakfast, and the dinner selections (appetizer, main course, and dessert) were outstanding, all in a lovely outdoor setting. Remember to bring ear plugs because the baboons in the distance can make a sound that wakes you up. The trip of a lifetime!

Posted on 27/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

Thank you Tshepo, Nicol, Sipho and Excellenc for great service and so much care for elderly guests. It is heartwarming to see this compassion.

Posted on 02/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

Excellent emplacement pour visiter Kruger National Park, Paul Kruger Gate est à 200 mètres de l’hôtel. On a réservé des sorties safari via SanPark, les guides sont venus nous chercher directement à l’hôtel. La terrasse panoramique à la piscine est fantastique. Le petit déjeuner et le dîner buffet sont copieux et variés. Le personnel très agréable. Le cadre de l’hôtel est très sympa, verdoyant et on peut voir des animaux dans le jardin.

Posted on 01/08/2025 by Booking.com

El hotel es una excelente opción para visitar el Parque Kruger. Ubicado a pocos metros de la Puerta Paul Kruger, es ideal para quienes visitan por primera vez el Parque. Sus instalaciones son impecables y tienen todas las comodidades. Mención aparte para los Safaris que se pueden agendar en el propio hotel.

Posted on 29/07/2025 by Booking.com

Food was amazing and great place close to the Paul Kruger gate!

Posted on 03/08/2025 by Booking.com

The location is really nice - bordering Kruger National Park on the river near the Kruger gate entrance where you get nice views of animals during the day especially. Good range of facilities, very nice breakfast and great supper\'s. The staff were really helpful and good. The rooms are not very special, but they are more than adequate. Overall we had a fantastic stay.

Posted on 28/07/2025 by Booking.com

Equipe muito atenciosa, principalmente os funcionarios do Guest Relations, Sarah e Simpewhee.
Hotel muito bem localizado, quarto limpo e bem espaçoso. De frente para o Kruger Park e de facil acesso vindo de Joanesburgo de carro. Estrada tambem muito boa.

Posted on 28/07/2025 by Booking.com

Love the location, viewing deck and the vibe!

Posted on 01/08/2025 by Booking.com