Marakele National Park
Limpopo · Best May to Sep
5 places
Wildlife
Cape Ground Squirrel
Xerus inauris
The Cape ground squirrel or South African ground squirrel is found in most of the drier parts of southern Africa from South Africa, through to Botswana, and into Namibia, including Etosha National Park.
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
Records1,180 records
Curve from 1,180 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 Cape Ground Squirrel is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,181 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Cape Ground Squirrel
Stays that give back
Across Limpopo
Tlopi Tented Camp
Marakele National Park
From R 1,866a night
Cape Ground Squirrel recorded here
Bontle Rest Camp
Marakele National Park
From R 391a night
Cape Ground Squirrel recorded here
Marataba Mountain Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Cape Ground Squirrel recorded here
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Cape Ground Squirrel recorded here
Marataba Villa
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Cape Ground Squirrel recorded here
More stays nearby
Graceland Eco Retreat
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From R 2,000a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
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From R 8,380a night
Bramasole Boutique Hotel
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From R 1,512a night
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
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From R 11,820a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
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From R 17,120a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
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Price on request
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
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From R 11,820a night
Phelwana Game Lodge
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From R 1,100a night
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Sunbird Lodge
Phalaborwa
From R 1,500a night
Cape Vulture Lodge
Hoedspruit
From R 4,000a night
Zvakanaka Farm
Louis Trichardt
From R 650a night
Kelora Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
From R 6,400a night
Kamoka Bush Camp
Hoedspruit
From R 3,278a night
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
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From R 379a night
Monwana Villa
Thornybush Game Reserve
Price on request
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Monwana Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Reserve
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 Cape Ground Squirrel
Hosts have recorded the Cape Ground Squirrel at stays in or beside Marakele 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marakele | 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.
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
Xerus inauris
Records
1,181
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Cape Ground Squirrel on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Cape Ground Squirrel in Limpopo?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Cape Ground Squirrel at stays in or beside Marakele 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 Cape Ground Squirrel in South Africa?
The Cape Ground Squirrel is most recorded in Northern Cape (48% of records), Eastern Cape (21% of records), Gauteng (13% of records), based on 1,181 iNaturalist observations. 5 places to stay on Spekboom in Limpopo have recorded the Cape Ground Squirrel on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Cape Ground Squirrel?
The Cape Ground Squirrel 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. Marakele National Park: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the conservation status of the Cape Ground Squirrel?
The Cape Ground Squirrel (Xerus inauris) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
What is the Cape Ground Squirrel?
The Cape ground squirrel or South African ground squirrel is found in most of the drier parts of southern Africa from South Africa, through to Botswana, and into Namibia, including Etosha National Park.