November 2025

Kruger National Park

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Kruger National Park: November 2025

November has arrived with a fresh burst of life. What started as just a few green leaves and the odd patch of new grass quickly turned into a full transformation and within days, the bushwillows, raisin bushes, and Terminalias exploded with bright, almost glowing green leaves, as if they’d been waiting all winter for their moment. Ground lilies, paintbrush lilies, and a scatter of wildflowers now add splashes of colour to the landscape. But what really gets us excited at this time of year are the first impala lambs. Those long-legged, wide-eyed little ones are wobbling about everywhere now, the very best sign that summer has truly arrived.
A Sightings Snapshot for November follows:
Lions
When the prides have been on the property, the viewing has been excellent.
  • The Shish Pride has been lingering just west of our concession, and on several crisp early mornings we’ve found them along the H6 on our way to the lodge. The sub-adult males are really starting to fill out now - broad-shouldered, confident, and taking on the regal shape of their fathers.
  • The Sonop males have been busy patrolling between the northern and central regions, moving fluidly between the Chava Pride and three of the Mananga lionesses.
  • The Chava pride themselves spent much of the month on the grassy plains east of Gudzane Dam, where controlled burns earlier in the season (part of SanParks’ fire management plan) have given way to a soft carpet of new green after the rains. The fresh growth has drawn in all their favoured prey, and each week we’ve watched kettles of vultures rising and settling over the blocks, signs of a landscape rich with activity. The Chava lions are in strong condition, all except one cub with an injured front leg, are round-bellied and lively, often seen mock-fighting as they sharpen the skills they’ll need one day.
  • When the Mananga Pride moved through our concession, we had several clear views of them watching, stalking, and chasing giraffe - unsuccessful attempts, but still great opportunities to watch these big cats at work.
Leopards
Leopard sightings are more elusive at this time because the landscape has transformed into a lush oasis. With puddles of water scattered everywhere, their prey has dispersed across the area, reducing the need for leopards to congregate near the usual water sources. At the same time, these agile cats are exceptionally well-equipped to remain unseen; their incredible rosetted coats allow them to blend seamlessly into the dense greenery, hiding in plain sight even when they are close by.
  • The Nhlanguleni female offered a truly memorable sighting as she lay draped across a picturesque dead leadwood right beside the road, her limbs elegantly hanging over the branches as she shifted occasionally in the soft morning light. When a group of waterbuck wandered into view, she sat up on a lower thicker branch to assess the opportunity, only to decide the prey was larger than she preferred; with effortless grace, she melted back into her original position. Reports then came over the radio that three Mananga lionesses were slowly making their way down the road toward us, prompting a wait filled with anticipation about the potential interaction between these powerful predators. After about half an hour, with the temperature steadily rising, the lionesses settled beneath a Terminalia tree only fifty meters from the leopardess, still resting in her leadwood perch, but now fully alert to their presence, while the lionesses remained completely oblivious to hers. Nhlanguleni waited patiently until the lionesses lowered their heads to rest, then slipped silently from the tree and, keeping her body low, slinked away into the long grass.
African wild dogs
  • Wild dog sightings in November have been both exciting and sobering. The small pack of three adults and five pups that has been moving through the central regions during the first half of the month is now down to only two pups; a stark reminder of how high pup mortality is in this area. With numerous predators, including lions, hyenas, and even leopards, competing intensely for resources, and with dens often vulnerable during the rainy season, young wild dogs face immense pressure in their first few months of life. After roaming widely early in the month, the pack disappeared for about a week as the rains set in.
  • Mid-month, a second pack was discovered in the far north near the Mozambican border, an extraordinary group of 26 individuals made up of 20 adults and six pups. As part of ongoing wild dog conservation within the Greater Kruger National Park and the Associated Private Nature Reserves, NGOs maintain a detailed database of known packs, and this impressive northern pack had not yet been recorded. That afternoon, Kruger Park veterinarians and conservationists were able to collar one of the adults, a crucial step in monitoring the pack’s movements. Collaring allows researchers to track dispersal patterns, locate den-sites, respond quickly to injuries or snaring incidents, and manage population genetics by ensuring that packs remain diverse and well-connected across the ecosystem, key elements in safeguarding the long-term survival of this endangered species.
  • Towards the end of the month, we were excited to confirm the presence of a third pack in the area -three adults accompanied by six lively pups. Over the past week, we’ve enjoyed near-daily sightings of them as they moved along the N’wanetsi River and down toward the granophyres, often offering wonderful viewing opportunities. They’ve been hunting consistently, focusing mostly on impala, and their teamwork has been a privilege to watch. One morning in particular stood out, when the adults led a swift, coordinated chase and successfully brought down two lambs, giving us a remarkable glimpse into both their efficiency as hunters and the pups’ early lessons in pack life.
Elephants
  • Elephant sightings in November have been nothing short of extraordinary, at times it has felt as though they are absolutely everywhere. On some drives, we encountered more elephants than even the ubiquitous impala, despite the surge of new lambs dotting the landscape. Around nearly every corner, we found ourselves face to face with another group: large herds of relaxed females shepherding tiny, wobbling calves; boisterous teenagers testing their confidence; and, every so often, a massive bull trailing calmly behind the family. Their constant presence has added a magnificent, almost immersive quality to the month’s game viewing.
Spotted hyenas
  • Spotted hyena sightings for the month of November have taken on a noticeably different pattern as the dynamics within the clans shift with the season. All the previously active den-sites are now empty, the cubs having reached independence and begun moving confidently alongside the adults instead of remaining hidden away. With no den-bound youngsters anchoring the clans to specific territories, the hyenas have become far more nomadic, and most of this month’s sightings have been of single individuals roaming the roads under the cover of darkness. These solitary night-time wanderers, likely on patrol or searching for feeding opportunities, highlight the fluid and wide-ranging nature of hyena movements.
Buffalos
  • In recent weeks, we’ve gone from seeing almost no buffalo at all to enjoying near-daily sightings, often of more than one herd moving across our concession. With the arrival of fresh grazing and more reliable water sources after a challenging dry season, the buffalo are beginning to look noticeably healthier. Their coats appear glossier, their condition improved, and the herds are once again full of movement and energy. Numerous calves can now be seen tucked among the adults, and a few cows are showing clear signs of pregnancy - promising indicators that the herds are recovering well from the tough conditions and entering a far more productive season.
Plains game
  • After the welcome rains, the burnt blocks of the N’wanetsi Concession have transformed into a lush green carpet, drawing hundreds of zebra and wildebeest to feast on the fresh growth.
  • The arrival of impala lambs has added an extra sense of vibrancy to the landscape, while the male impalas -completely overwhelmed by the surge of hormones, have slipped into a dramatic false rut. Their loud snorts and the sharp clashing of horns echo through the bush, adding excitement to every game drive.
  • In general, most of the plains game seem to have an extra spring in their step now that water and food are no longer so hard to find, making this a wonderfully dynamic time in the concession.
Rare animals and other sightings
  • On night drives the narrow beam of the spotlight and headlights limits what we can safely and ethically view. We avoid shining directly on diurnal species, and even with nocturnal animals we keep disturbance to a minimum, allowing the light to reflect softly off their bodies rather than into their eyes. Yet every so often, the bush offers an unforgettable surprise. One particular evening, one of our guides struck pure nocturnal gold: first a caracal hunting quelea, then a serval resting calmly beside the vehicle, followed by two busy honey badgers - and finally, our resident pride of lions completing an extraordinary sequence of sightings!
Birds
Bird sightings have been especially rewarding this month, marked by both seasonal arrivals and unexpected rarities.
  • The first woodland kingfisher, a species eagerly anticipated each summer, was spotted on the morning of the 15th, and, to the delight of the guiding team, successfully photographed as proof for the annual guides-and-trackers betting competition!
  • Along the river crossings, both white-backed and black-crowned night herons have been seen frequently; these sightings are particularly special because these secretive birds are typically shy, preferring dense riverine vegetation and emerging mostly at dusk or dawn, making reliable daytime views uncommon.
  • Adding to the excitement, several rarities have graced the area this month, including the spotted flycatcher, the striking blue-cheeked bee-eaters, and even a Montagu’s harrier.