Planning a trip to Pilanesberg National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
Your chances of seeing Cape Buffalo in Pilanesberg National Park
Trophy sighting. Cape Buffalo are one of the trophy sightings of Pilanesberg National Park: hard, but never impossible. Drive early and late, and open opspoor before you head out to see where they've been spotted recently.
When to see Cape Buffalo in Pilanesberg National Park
Cape Buffalo are most active early morning (05:00 to 09:00), during the day (05:00 to 19:00) and late afternoon into dusk (16:00 to 20:00). In the heat of the day (11:00 to 16:00) Cape Buffalo usually rest in shade, so scan under trees and in thickets.
This is Cape Buffalo's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Pilanesberg National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Cape Buffalo in Pilanesberg National Park: best roads and waterholes
Drive
Moruleng, Thlware and Dithabaneng run through mixed bushveld: good country for Cape Buffalo.
- Moruleng3.9 km · mixed bushveld
- Thlware2.6 km · mixed bushveld
- Dithabaneng12.5 km · mixed bushveld
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Cape Buffalo have actually been seen recently.
Wait at water
Cape Buffalo are drawn to water, especially in the dry season (May to October), so waiting at a waterhole is one of the best ways to see them.
How to spot Buffalo (Cape) in Pilanesberg National Park
About the Buffalo (Cape)
The Cape buffalo is a massive African bovine recognised by its heavy body, dark coat, large ears and distinctive horns that form a broad boss across the forehead. It is strongly associated with grassland, woodland and areas with reliable water and grazing. Cape buffalo are primarily grazers and usually live in herds, sometimes numbering several hundred animals. They are highly social and can be formidable when threatened, particularly when defending calves or responding to predators.
How to identify the Buffalo (Cape)
Very large, heavily built bovine with a dark brown to black coat, massive shoulders, large curved horns and a distinctive boss where the horns meet across the forehead. Older bulls often have a broad, heavily developed horn boss.
Other species to look for in Pilanesberg National Park
Other parks where you can see Cape Buffalo
Easiest first.
Heading to Pilanesberg National Park? opspoor shows where Cape Buffalo have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.