Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Free State · Best Mar to May
3 places
Wildlife
Springhare
Pedetes capensis
The South African springhare (Pedetes capensis), or springhaas in Afrikaans, is not actually a hare, but a rodent.
Species insights
When to visit
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.
Best monthsAny month
Records266 records
Curve from 266 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Where you'll find it
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 Free State
Golden Gate Hotel And Chalets
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 1,741a night
Springhare recorded here
Glen Reenen Rest Camp
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 339a night
Springhare recorded here
Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
From R 2,160a night
Springhare recorded here
More stays nearby
Camelroc Guest Farm
Caledonspoort, Fouriesburg
From R 1,000a night
Adamsview
Gariep Dam
From R 1,000a night
Highland Quarters
Clarens
From R 1,390a night
Kasteelkop Guest Farm
Frankfort
From R 640a night
Monte Bello Estate
Vaalbank, Bloemfontein
From R 1,850a night
Mont d'Or Clarens
Clarens
From R 1,100a night
Mvemve GrootPoort Lodge
Memel
From R 1,800a night
Liedjiesbos Urban Olive Farm
Bloemfontein
From R 1,700a night
Merino Guest Farm
Clarens
From R 900a night
The Midlands
Next stop
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Springhare
Hosts have recorded the Springhare at stays in or beside Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
When to go, park by park
Here all yearEasiest viewing
| Park | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Highlands | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here |
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 Free State?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Springhare at stays in or beside Golden Gate Highlands 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. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Free State 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. Golden Gate Highlands National Park: Mar-May, Aug-Oct. 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.