uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
Wildlife
Water Monitor
Varanus niloticus
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae) found throughout much of Africa, but is absent from the west, where it is replaced by Varanus stellatus.
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
Recorded in KwaZulu-Natal~583 records
Curve from 2,240 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.
Where you'll find it
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Water Monitor is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,242 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Water Monitor
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Southern rock agama · Tree fuchsia
From R 190 a night
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Southern rock agama · Cape heath
From R 190 a night
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
Water Monitor recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
From R 130 a night
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Real yellowwood · Chacma baboon
From R 130 a night
Kamberg
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Tree fuchsia · Black wildebeest
From R 840 a night
Lotheni
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Southern rock agama · Common eland
From R 270 a night
Midmar
Midmar Resort
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Plains zebra · Black wildebeest
From R 220 a night
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Real yellowwood · Chacma baboon
From R 200 a night
Royal Natal (Thendele, Mahai & Rugged Glen)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Chacma baboon · Bushbuck
From R 360 a night
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Mpila Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 1,420 a night
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Hilltop Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 900 a night
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
Water Monitor recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 130 a night
Ndumo
Ndumo Game Reserve
Water Monitor recorded here · Savanna biome · Nile crocodile · Hippopotamus
From R 190 a night
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Real yellowwood · Chacma baboon
From R 170 a night
Didima (Cathedral Peak)
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Real yellowwood · Tree fuchsia
From R 1,070 a night
Giant's Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Water Monitor recorded here · Grassland biome · Real yellowwood · Chacma baboon
From R 1,150 a night
More stays nearby
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito
Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 13,000 a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 4,280 a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust
From R 1,280 a night
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust and 2 others
From R 5,400 a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond
Grassland biome
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
From R 5,990 a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Savanna biome · African wild dog · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Isibindi Foundation
Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville
Grassland biome · Spotted hyena · Leopard
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 1,140 a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park
Grassland biome
Gives back to Royal Drakensberg Education Trust
From R 1,691 a night
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Water Monitor
Hosts have recorded the Water Monitor at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Giants Castle Game Reserve.
When to go, park by park
Here all yearEasiest viewing
| Park | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| uKhahlamba-Drakensberg | Here | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here | Here |
| Hluhluwe-Imfolozi | Here | Here | Here | Here | 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.
Best hours of the day
- The warm hours of the day. The Water Monitor needs the sun's warmth before it moves.
- Cold mornings and nights. Tucked away until the day warms up.
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Varanus niloticus
Records
2,242
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Water Monitor on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Water Monitor in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Water Monitor at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve, Ithala Game Reserve, Kamberg Nature Reserve and Midmar Dam Nature Reserve and other reserves. 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 Water Monitor in South Africa?
The Water Monitor is most recorded in Mpumalanga (35% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), based on 2,242 iNaturalist observations. 16 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Water Monitor on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Water Monitor?
The Water Monitor 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. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Giants Castle Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Ithala Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Water Monitor?
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae) found throughout much of Africa, but is absent from the west, where it is replaced by Varanus stellatus.