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South Africa’s rarest predator – the Painted Wolves

The African Wild Dog, Lycaon pictus which translates to Painted Wolf, is one of the most intriguing carnivores on the continent, and it is also the most endangered of predators.

Lean and athletic, African Wild Dogs range over territories that can be greater than 250 square kilometres. While visitors to the Kruger National Park are often focused on Big Cats and the Big 5, encountering a pack of African Wild Dogs on a safari game drive is something they will never forget.

Long-legged African Wild Dogs are striking creatures with big, rounded ears, powerful jaws, white-feathered tails and stunning coats of many colours, each one completely unique like a human fingerprint. They are Africa’s most successful predators with a deadly kill rate that is estimated at around 80%.

The power of pack life

Unfortunately, it is estimated that less than 1500 Wild Dogs are in existence today, with populations in just four places of their former range all across Africa. When it comes to African safari experiences, seeing Wild Dogs is as special as it gets. The two major reasons for the decline of the populations of African Wild Dog are habitat loss and killings by humans, and therefore the Kruger National Park serves as a critical haven for these remarkable and rare predators and is one of the best places to see them.

African Wild Dogs live in vibrant and complex packs, and the individual’s survival is dependent on their social bonds and engagement in pack life which includes communal hunting, feeding and raising of the next generation. Packs are dominated by an Alpha female and an Alpha male, and all subordinates are in service to the greater good of the pack. Most often only the Alpha female breeds in the winter months. Breeding is a time of high risk and high excitement for Wild Dogs. Otherwise always on the move, the pack faces greater vulnerabilities at being confined to a den area where Lion and Spotted Hyena are constant threats to the survival of both the cubs and the protective adults.

After three months of confinement with their mother in the den, Wild Dogs pups are weaned. They emerge into the sunlight to great excitement, twittering and sniffing, and every adult in the pack will generously regurgitate meat for them every day. Unlike another social predator, the Lion, where the Alpha males take the spoils and cubs survive on scraps, African Wild Dogs feed their young first.

Masters of the hunt

In past centuries, African Wild Dogs were reviled for their hunting success and brutal killings, but today, we recognise their simple quest for survival in nature and their extraordinary athleticism. Daily hunts usually take place around dawn and sunset, and possibly on a full moon night. Getting ready for the hunt demands a complex bonding session that is often described as a ‘greeting ceremony’, which involves much twittering and tail wagging.

These are high-stamina hunters capable of maintaining speeds of 40 kmph over a 5-kilometre stretch, and bursts of speed at up to 60 kmph. African Wild Dogs fan out over the bush in formation, keeping tabs on the Alphas who identify the day’s prey. While Impalas are a favourite, Wild Dog packs, depending on their numbers, can take down Blue Wildebeest, Waterbuck and even Zebra.

While encountering African Wild Dogs in the Sabi River region of the Kruger Gate Hotel happens quite regularly, it is unusual to witness a Wild Dog kill on a Kruger safari. However, here is one of our latest blogs where our guests witnessed an astonishing Wild Dog hunt.

Guest Reviews

Kruger Gate Hotel has perfect location for safaris. The hotel is nice, clean, and well known for it’s location to the Kruger National Park. Beautiful lunch restaurant with a swimming poole, with a good view over the river very close. A lot of different animals lives there. 🦓🦒🐘

Posted on 15/07/2025 by Google

Beautiful hotel, in such a great location. Wish we upgraded our room as the standard was a bit basic, however everything else made up for the stay. The dinner buffet was outstanding and the to go breakfast boxes were some of the best we’ve had. Thank you.

Posted on 12/07/2025 by Google

Very satisfactory hotel excepts for the spa, very disappointing. We would like to say a big thanks and congratulation for costumer experience to DEBRAH. She is a sunshine in this hotel thanks to its humour, its livelyhood and its smile. It is a high professional and she is a game changer for this hotel to become a luxury one.

Posted on 13/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

Kid Friendly , real authentic African experience,African people Tabiso, Meshiac , Debrah servicing in pursuit of excellence and always a friendly smile

Posted on 12/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

Complete safari experience, location really close to park gate entrance, high level infrastructure and lovely staff. You will never regret!

Posted on 12/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

We love this hotel! It is our second time here and we will definitely be coming back for future Kruger holidays. All the staff are very kind and welcoming. They also really cater for all ages. This place makes the Kruger outings so much more memorable. Would highly recommend!

Posted on 10/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

My wife, daughters, and I have been visiting Kruger Gate Hotel for years, either all together or with the ladies on their own. It is a safe, first-class establishment featuring fine dining, exceptional service, delicious cuisine, and a remarkable bush setting, among much more. The team responsible for the lodge’s atmosphere is dynamic—a powerhouse. Over the years, our experiences have consistently improved. We more than highly recommend Kruger Gate Hotel.

Posted on 10/07/2025 by TripAdvisor

La localisation, le chalet flambant neuf, le décor, le safari avec Edgard qui nous a permis de voir nos premiers lions !

Posted on 11/07/2025 by Booking.com

Tout était absolument parfait durant notre séjour : animaux au pied du lit, personnel aux petits soins, le cadre est incroyabl, l qualité des repas etc. Vraiment je recommande. Pour nous, ce séjour représentait un certain budget et n\'avons pas été décus, loin de là. Superbe.

Posted on 17/07/2025 by Booking.com

The location is sensational especially on the deck overlooking the Sabi River where we spent a relaxing day watching nyala, kudu, bushbuck, hippo and elephants. Even had a leopard wander by.

The staff are genuinely friendly and the facilities and food are excellent.

Highly recommended

Posted on 17/07/2025 by Booking.com

Kruger gate hotel was perfect. Loved everything about it.

Posted on 13/07/2025 by Booking.com

The location, the food, the people, the safari & the experience was all UNBEATABLE! Every staff member who walked past us was cheery & happy, nothing was too difficult for them to accommodate, and they greeted us by name after the first day. Absolutely amazing experience, we felt at home. The breakfast & dinner was included in a buffet style... easily the best buffet we have had. The variety was fantastic, giving multi cultural food and changing the options daily. No day was boring at the buffet! The pool overlooks the river with incredible wildlife views while you sip on a cocktail. The safari\'s that were offered by the hotel were phenomenal. Our guides delivered on every expectation we set, and they were so incredibly patient with the 7 year old we travelled with. The rooms were cleaned daily & all the facilities were great. For a bit of relaxation, we hit the spa and WOW. The massage huts once again overlook the river with wildlife as you get treated to a fantastic massage. They even accommodated a wellness day for children! We can\'t wait to come back again!!

Posted on 11/07/2025 by Booking.com

Loved everything especially the service at the restaurant during the day time.

Posted on 12/07/2025 by Booking.com