Hyena (Spotted)

Mammal

Where to See Spotted Hyena in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Crocuta crocuta

Least ConcernPredatorNeeds some luck

Planning a trip to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.

Your chances of seeing Spotted Hyena in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Needs some luck. Spotted Hyena live in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, but you need a good drive or some luck to see them. opspoor shows you where they've been seen recently, so you know which roads to drive.

When to see Spotted Hyena in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Spotted Hyena are most active early morning (04:00 to 08:00), late afternoon into dusk (16:00 to 20:00) and at night (18:00 to 06:00). 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 Spotted Hyena's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.

Where to look for Spotted Hyena in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: best roads and waterholes

Drive

Kaa Access Road, Upper Dune Road and Lower Dune Road run through kalahari dunes and sandveld: good country for Spotted Hyena.

  1. Kaa Access Road80.2 km · kalahari dunes and sandveld
  2. Upper Dune Road52.7 km · kalahari dunes and sandveld
  3. Lower Dune Road35.4 km · kalahari dunes and sandveld

Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Spotted Hyena have actually been seen recently.

Wait at water

Spotted Hyena are drawn to water, so waiting at a waterhole is one of the best ways to see them.

About the Hyena (Spotted)

The spotted hyena is a large, powerful carnivore of sub-Saharan Africa, recognised by its sloping back, strong jaws, rounded ears and distinctive dark spots on a tawny coat. It is highly social and lives in complex clans dominated by females. Spotted hyenas are skilled hunters as well as scavengers and can take a wide range of prey, from small animals to large antelope. They are particularly effective predators because of their endurance, powerful bite and ability to coordinate hunts.

How to identify the Hyena (Spotted)

Large, powerfully built hyena with a sloping back, large rounded ears and a distinctive spotted coat. The legs are long and powerful, the neck is thick and the tail is relatively short with a dark tip.

Other species to look for in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Other parks where you can see Spotted Hyena

Easiest first.

Heading to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park? opspoor shows where Spotted Hyena have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.