Pilanesberg National Park

🇿🇦 South Africa

🐘 Elephants Thrive in Pilanesberg
🌍 #50 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #32 in Africa #33 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, South Africa 795 spp. recorded

Pilanesberg National Park is a protected tropical savanna reserve in South Africa, set within a series of ancient ring-shaped volcanic ridges. Open grassland plains and scattered acacia thickets dominate this terrain, crossed by dusty vehicle tracks rather than walking paths.

-25.240° S   27.057° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Go-Away-Bird
LC

Grey Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides concolor

80–90% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Natal Francolin
LC

Natal Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis natalensis

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
LADO

LADO

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia senegalensis

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

50–60% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Steenbok
LC

Steenbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Raphicerus campestris

30–40% · Possible
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

30–40% · Possible
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

30–40% · Possible
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Go-Away-Bird
LC

Grey Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides concolor

80–90% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Very likely
Natal Francolin
LC

Natal Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis natalensis

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

50–60% · Likely
LADO

LADO

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia senegalensis

50–60% · Likely
Pied Crow
LC

Pied Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus albus

50–60% · Likely
African Sacred Ibis
LC

African Sacred Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Threskiornis aethiopicus

50–60% · Likely
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
LC

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis nitens

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

20–30% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

20–30% · Possible
Montane Speckled Skink
LC

Montane Speckled Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis punctatissima

20–30% · Possible
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

20–30% · Possible
Cape Terrapin
LC

Cape Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa galeata

10–20% · With luck
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
Southern Tree Agama
LC

Southern Tree Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus atricollis

10–20% · With luck
Black Mamba
LC

Black Mamba

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendroaspis polylepis

5–10% · With luck
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

5–10% · With luck
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
LC

Mozambique Spitting Cobra

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Naja mossambica

5–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

20–30% · With luck
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

10–20% · With luck
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Common River Frog
LC

Common River Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Amietia delalandii

Insufficient data
Painted Reed Frog
LC

Painted Reed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius marmoratus

Insufficient data
African Clawed Frog
LC

African Clawed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Xenopus laevis

Insufficient data
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

Insufficient data
Fenoulhet's Toad
LC

Fenoulhet's Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Peak Grazing and Herbivore Gathering

AprMayJun

As the dry season sets in, vast herds of impala and blue wildebeest congregate heavily around shrinking waterholes and open grasslands, drawing opportunistic predators.

Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Dry Season Predator Activity

JunSepOct

Sparse foliage and dry conditions optimize visibility, allowing expert trackers to spot elusive leopards resting in riverine trees alongside hippopotamus pods crowded in diminishing pools.

Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

20–30% · Possible
🐸

Rains and Amphibian Breeding

JanNovDec

The arrival of summer rains transforms the crater floor into lush greenery, triggering explosive choruses and breeding activity from African split-skin toads and grey foam-nest treefrogs.

African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

20–30% · With luck
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

10–20% · With luck

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
African Bush Elephant
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
White Rhinoceros
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
Lion
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
Grey Go-Away-Bird
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Common Bulbul
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
Natal Francolin
50–60
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
Helmeted Guineafowl
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
40–50
60–70
70–80
60–70
Fork-tailed Drongo
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Blacksmith Lapwing
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
Egyptian Goose
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Southern Giraffe
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
Plains Zebra
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
Cape Turtle Dove
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Impala
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
LADO
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Peak Grazing and Herbivore Gathering
🦌 Dry Season Predator Activity
🐸 Rains and Amphibian Breeding

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Elephants Thrive in Pilanesberg

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
534
🐒 Mammals
139
🦎 Reptiles
93
🐸 Amphibians
29
795 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
31 Threatened 12 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
64%
📊
Coverage (224 species at ≥5% of 795 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
28%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
164
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
33
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
37

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Pilanesberg National Park?

The most likely sightings are Grey Go-Away-Bird (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Common Bulbul (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Natal Francolin (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Helmeted Guineafowl (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 795 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Pilanesberg National Park for wildlife?

June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Pilanesberg National Park?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 187 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White Rhinoceros in Pilanesberg National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a White Rhinoceros sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 130 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Pilanesberg National Park?

Yes — about 38% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Pilanesberg National Park, based on 68 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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