Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
15 places
Wildlife
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe (Giraffa giraffa or Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique.
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 Mpumalanga~2,554 records
Curve from 7,512 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 Giraffe is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
7,512 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Giraffe
Stays that give back
Across Mpumalanga
Mvuradona Safari Lodge
Marloth Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Warthog
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 2,473 a night
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 1 other
From R 22,680 a night
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,400 a night
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
From R 10,670 a night
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leadwood · Leopard
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 28,990 a night
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
Price on request
Ziziphus River Lodge
Mjejane Game Reserve, Hectorspruit
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Hippopotamus · African elephant
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 14,000 a night
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Impala · Spotted hyena
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 11,980 a night
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 17,500 a night
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Plains zebra
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 3,300 a night
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Cheetah · Delagoa thorn
From R 390 a night
Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Knobthorn
From R 390 a night
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Malelane Satellite Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · Impala
From R 390 a night
Talamati Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Delagoa thorn · Giraffe
From R 1,756 a night
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Biyamiti Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Cheetah · Delagoa thorn
From R 2,219 a night
Dulini River
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Sausage tree · Leopard
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School
From R 28,990 a night
Lion Sands River Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Dulini Leadwood
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leadwood · Jackalberry
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
From R 28,990 a night
Fish Eagle Villa, Lion Sands
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Price on request
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Giraffe recorded here · 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 Giraffe
Hosts have recorded the Giraffe at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
When to go, park by park
Here all yearEasiest viewing
| Park | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kruger | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here | Here |
| Sabi Sand | 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
- Early morning and late afternoon. The Giraffe is out through the day, and easiest to watch before the heat.
- Midday heat. Often resting in shade or near water.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger · Timbavati
LimpopoBig FiveSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaBig FiveGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Giraffa camelopardalis
Records
7,512
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Giraffe on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Giraffe in Mpumalanga?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Giraffe at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature 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 Giraffe in South Africa?
The Giraffe is most recorded in Mpumalanga (34% of records), Limpopo (23% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (20% of records), based on 7,512 iNaturalist observations. 30 places to stay on Spekboom in Mpumalanga have recorded the Giraffe on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Giraffe?
The Giraffe 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. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Giraffe?
The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe (Giraffa giraffa or Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. It has rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.