Welgevonden Game Reserve
Limpopo · Best May to Sep
2 places
Wildlife
Black Mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a highly venomous snake endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
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 Limpopo~102 records
Curve from 339 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
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond
Provinces where Black Mamba is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
339 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Black Mamba
Stays that give back
Across Limpopo
Izingwe Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Black Mamba recorded here · Savanna biome · Aardvark · Banded mongoose
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Inzalo Safari Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Black Mamba recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Makulu Birders Cottage at Wilds Uitvlugt
Rust de Winter
Black Mamba recorded here · Savanna biome · Chacma baboon · Vervet monkey
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
Price on request
More stays nearby
Verkijken Cottage
Haenertsburg
Grassland biome · Bushbuck
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,500 a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 17,120 a night
Bramasole Boutique Hotel
Magoebaskloof
Forest biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 1,512 a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Makalani palm · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 8,380 a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Phelwana Game Lodge
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome · Giraffe · Cheetah
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,100 a night
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Giraffe · African elephant
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
Graceland Eco Retreat
Magoebaskloof
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,000 a night
Sunbird Lodge
Phalaborwa
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 1,500 a night
Marataba Mountain Lodge
Marakele National Park
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Cape Vulture Lodge
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 4,000 a night
Zvakanaka Farm
Louis Trichardt
Savanna biome
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 650 a night
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Kelora Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 6,400 a night
Kamoka Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
Savanna biome · Ana tree
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 3,278 a night
Monwana Villa
Thornybush Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Flaky bark thorn · Leadwood
From R 379 a night
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Cheetah
From R 331 a night
Monwana Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Reserve
Savanna biome · Lion · Leopard
Price on request
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 Black Mamba
Hosts have recorded the Black Mamba at stays in or beside Welgevonden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welgevonden | Here | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | 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.
Best hours of the day
- The warm hours of the day. The Black Mamba needs the sun's warmth before it moves.
- Cold mornings and nights. Tucked away until the day warms up.
Ways to look
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
Species
Dendroaspis polylepis
Records
339
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Black Mamba on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Black Mamba in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Black Mamba at stays in or beside Welgevonden Game Reserve. 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 Black Mamba in South Africa?
The Black Mamba is most recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (39% of records), Limpopo (30% of records), Mpumalanga (22% of records), based on 339 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Black Mamba on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Black Mamba?
The Black Mamba 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. Welgevonden Game Reserve: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Black Mamba?
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a highly venomous snake endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Skin colour varies from grey to dark brown. Juvenile black mambas tend to be paler than adults and darken with age. It is the longest species of venomous snake indigenous to the African continent; mature specimens generally exceed 2 meters (6.6 ft) and commonly attain 3 meters (9.8 ft).