Black backed Jackal

Mammal

Where to See Black backed Jackal in Addo Elephant National Park

Canis mesomelas

Least ConcernPredatorSeen on most drives

Planning a trip to Addo Elephant National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.

Your chances of seeing Black backed Jackal in Addo Elephant National Park

Seen on most drives. Most visitors see Black backed Jackal within a day or two in Addo Elephant National Park.

When to see Black backed Jackal in Addo Elephant National Park

Black backed Jackal are most active late afternoon into dusk (17:00 to 20:00) and at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.

This is Black backed Jackal's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Addo Elephant National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.

Where to look for Black backed Jackal in Addo Elephant National Park: best roads

Drive

Nzipondo Loop, Gorah Loop and Vukani Loop run through open grassland and dense thicket: good country for Black backed Jackal.

  1. Nzipondo Loop6.2 km · open grassland and dense thicket
  2. Gorah Loop10.2 km · open grassland and dense thicket
  3. Vukani Loop4 km · open grassland and dense thicket

Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Black backed Jackal have actually been seen recently.

Recent Black backed Jackal sightings in Addo Elephant National Park

See all sightings in Addo Elephant National Park →

About the Black backed Jackal

The black-backed jackal is a medium-sized African canid recognised by the contrasting dark saddle of fur across its back, reddish-brown flanks and bushy tail. It is highly adaptable and occurs in savanna, grassland, woodland, semi-arid habitats and areas close to human activity. It is an opportunistic omnivore and predator, feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit and carrion. Black-backed jackals are generally solitary or found in pairs, although family groups may form around breeding territories.

How to identify the Black backed Jackal

Slender jackal with a reddish-brown to grey-brown coat, distinctive black saddle across the back, white underparts and a bushy black-tipped tail. The ears are large and pointed.

Other species to look for in Addo Elephant National Park

Other parks where you can see Black backed Jackal

Easiest first.

Heading to Addo Elephant National Park? opspoor shows where Black backed Jackal have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.