
Wildlife
Springhare
The South African springhare (Pedetes capensis), or springhaas in Afrikaans, is not actually a hare, but a rodent.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 266 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Northern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Springhare is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
266 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Springhare
Stays that give back
Across the Eastern Cape
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Springhare recorded here
Forests, lagoons, and Knysna's sheltered bay
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Springhare
Hosts have recorded the Springhare at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park, Camdeboo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park.
When to go, park by park
| Park | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addo Elephant | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here |
| Camdeboo | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing |
Darker months are each park's own best season, when thinner bush or scarce water makes viewing easier. A sighting is never guaranteed.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Species
Pedetes capensis
Records
266
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Springhare on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Springhare in Eastern Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Springhare at stays in or beside Addo Elephant National Park, Camdeboo National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Springhare in South Africa?
The Springhare is most recorded in Northern Cape (44% of records), Limpopo (28% of records), Eastern Cape (15% of records), based on 266 iNaturalist observations. 7 places to stay on Spekboom in Eastern Cape have recorded the Springhare on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Springhare?
The Springhare is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Camdeboo National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Mountain Zebra National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Springhare?
The Springhare (Pedetes capensis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Springhare?
The South African springhare (Pedetes capensis), or springhaas in Afrikaans, is not actually a hare, but a rodent. It is one of two living species in the genus Pedetes, and is native to southern Africa. Formerly, the genus was considered monotypic and the East African springhare (P. surdaster) was included in P. capensis.

























