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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

Fantastic rooms, great food and an awesome viewing area. Great place to stay!

Posted on 23/08/2025 by Google

Amazing location, staff friendly and notning a problem to them, grounds clean and tidy as we\'re the rooms, amazing breakfast and evening meal great choice, my son loved the crazy golf and the pool. My whole experience excited my expectations and was sad to leave the place

Posted on 21/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

We had so much fun staying at Kruger Gate. the staff are friendly and super helpful. the food here is also awesome.

Posted on 19/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

Best experience of my life! I highly commend anyone who loves animals and travelling to go here! Me and my family loved every moment

Posted on 19/08/2025 by TripAdvisor

Fantastic resort, lovely staff, excellent food and great location, kids loved the pool

Posted on 26/08/2025 by Booking.com

Pulizia e organizzazione oltre che alla posizione

Posted on 24/08/2025 by Booking.com

Location is great.
You can watch wild animals while eating at the restaurant in the afternoon.

Posted on 21/08/2025 by Booking.com

Incroyable vue sur la savane nous avons éléphants, girafe, antilope en une journée. La nourriture délicieuse.

Posted on 21/08/2025 by Booking.com

Everything was amazing! The location, the clean rooms, the friendly staff and the most scrumptious food. Especially the lamb on the spit on Friday night.

Posted on 19/08/2025 by Booking.com

Las habitaciones son muy cómodas y espaciosas, el resort es su conjunto es muy completo ya que cuenta con distintas zonas donde poder disfrutar del entorno, los empleados son muy atentos y amables y la comida es variada.

Posted on 26/08/2025 by Booking.com

Its deck overlooking Kruger park and the layout of hotel w all amenities

Dinner Buffet was excellent along w breakfast. Buffet. Service exceptional

Posted on 23/08/2025 by Booking.com

Absolutely impressed with everything here. The room was so big, everything new, we would wake up and see impalas in the garden.

Food was absolutely delicious. Like wow, so many options, for vegetarians as well. Would wait everyday for that dinner.

Kind staff, we had some great game drives with them.

So many options to chill, play boardgames, a gym that would compete with an actual commercial gym, so well equipped.

Terrace and pool wow, we spotted so many animals just from there.

Massage absolutely incredible, the view from the room was great as well.

Probably one of the best hotel we stayed. And it’s so close to the park.

Posted on 23/08/2025 by Booking.com

Everything! From check in, to organizing safari\'s, to preparing meals and hot water bottles for the cold morning safari\'s, to dinner shows and entertainment... everything was taken care of. The staff really go above and beyond to make you feel relaxed and welcome. I can\'t recommend the Kruger Gate enough, we will be back 🙌🏽

Posted on 20/08/2025 by Booking.com

We had an amazing stay at Kruger Gate Hotel! Perfectly located right at the park entrance, it made our game drives super easy. The views over the Sabie River are stunning, and you can even spot wildlife from the deck. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, the food was excellent, and the staff were incredibly warm and attentive. A perfect mix of comfort, nature, and convenience—we’ll definitely be back!

Posted on 19/08/2025 by Booking.com

Ένα πακέτο που τα έχει όλα . Πολύ ευγενικό προσωπικό, εξαιρετική τοποθεσία και πάρα πολύ ωραία διακόσμηση.

Posted on 25/08/2025 by Booking.com

Amazing location and the food is great incredible.

Posted on 24/08/2025 by Booking.com

Vorallem die Lage mit der Nähe zum krüger gate... und die Aussicht vom Pool zum Fluss mit den wildtieren...
Das freundliche Personal und das leckere Essen..

Posted on 20/08/2025 by Booking.com

Localização excepcional, equipe muito atenciosa e prestativa, colado na entrada do Kruger Park

Posted on 19/08/2025 by Booking.com