Nile Monitor
Nile MonitorNile MonitorNile MonitorNile Monitor

Nile Monitor

Varanus niloticus

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
30–40% · Possible
overall probability at Kruger National Park
555 Verified records at Kruger National Park
November Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor family (Varanidae) found throughout most of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in drier regions, and along the Nile River and its tributaries in East Africa. Additionally, there are modern, invasive populations in North America. The population found in West African forests and savannahs is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the West African Nile monitor (V. niloticus stellatus) and Ornate monitor (V. niloticus ornatus). While it is dwarfed by its larger relatives, such as the Komodo dragon, the Asian water monitor or the crocodile monitor, it is still one of the largest lizards in the world, reaching (and even surpassing) Australia's perentie in size. Other common names include the African small-grain lizard, as well as iguana and various forms derived from it, such as guana, water leguaan or river leguaan (leguan, leguaan, and likkewaan mean monitor lizard in South African English, and can be used interchangeably). A feral population of Nile monitors (descended from escaped or intentionally-released pets) has become established in several locations in South Florida. Wikipedia →

30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Nile Monitor sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 555 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Kruger National Park

Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

20–30% · Possible

📅 Monthly Probability

30–40
Jan
20–30
Feb
20–30
Mar
20–30
Apr
30–40
May
30–40
Jun
20–30
Jul
30–40
Aug
20–30
Sep
30–40
Oct
30–40
Nov
20–30
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Niokolo-Koba National Park 🇸🇳 Senegal
50–60%
2 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
50–60%
3 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
50–60%
4 Selous Game Reserve 🇹🇿 Tanzania
50–60%
5 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
50–60%
6 Akagera National Park 🇷🇼 Rwanda
40–50%
7 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
40–50%
8 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
40–50%
9 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
40–50%
10 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
40–50%
11 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
40–50%
12 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
30–40%
13 Murchison Falls National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
30–40%
14 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
30–40%
15 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
30–40%
16 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
30–40%
17 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
30–40%
18 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
30–40%
19 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
20–30%
20 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
20–30%
21 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
20–30%
22 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
20–30%
23 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
20–30%
24 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
20–30%
25 Virunga National Park 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
20–30%
26 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
20–30%
27 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
20–30%
28 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
20–30%
29 Lake Nakuru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
10–20%
30 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
10–20%
31 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
10–20%
32 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
10–20%
33 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
5–10%
34 Awash National Park 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Insufficient data
35 Kidepo Valley National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
36 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
37 Taï National Park 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
Insufficient data
38 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
39 Kibale National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Nile Monitor in Kruger National Park?

About 31% of wildlife watchers report a Nile Monitor sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 555 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Nile Monitor in Kruger National Park?

November has the highest sighting rate for Nile Monitor in Kruger National Park in our monthly data.

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