The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. Some authorities formerly included the East African oryx as a subspecies.

Wildlife

Gemsbok

Oryx gazella

The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the Oryx genus.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordGemsbok10+ stays list it on site or nearby

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 Northern Cape~781 records

Curve from 1,561 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

Northern Cape and beyond

Provinces where Gemsbok is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

1,562 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Gemsbok

Places to stay

10+ results in the Northern Cape

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · Gemsbok, Camel thorn

From R 450 per night

Mata-Mata Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · Gemsbok, Camel thorn

From R 450 per night

Grootkolk Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Springbok

From R 2,634 per night

Bitterpan Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Camel thorn · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 2,634 per night

Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Camel thorn, Gemsbok · Stargazing

From R 2,634 per night

Tankwa Karoo Rest Camp

Tankwa Karoo National Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · Gemsbok, Springbok · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 192 per night

Nossob Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · Gemsbok, Brown hyena

From R 450 per night

Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Giraffe · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 2,634 per night

Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Augrabies Falls National Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Nama-Karoo biome · 2 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Giraffe · Hiking

From R 362 per night

Kalahari Tented Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Springbok · Stargazing

From R 2,314 per night

Urikaruus Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Savanna biome · 97 birds recorded · Gemsbok, Springbok · Stargazing

From R 2,634 per night

De Hoop Camping Site

Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Gemsbok recorded here · Fynbos biome · Gemsbok, Springbok · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 373 per night

More stays nearby

Frontier River Resort

Northern Cape

Desert biome · Spekboom · Canoeing

From R 2,050 per night

Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp

Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Desert biome · Halfmens, Quiver tree · 4x4 trails

From R 311 per night

Motswedi Camp Site

Mokala National Park

Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · African elephant, Brown hyena · Game drives

From R 628 per night

Kokerboomkloof Camp Site

Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Succulent Karoo biome · Quiver tree, Spekboom · Stargazing, 4x4 trails

From R 311 per night

Skilpad Rest Camp

Namaqua National Park

Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom · Stargazing, Hiking

From R 953 per night

Mosu Lodge

Mokala National Park

Savanna biome · Camel thorn, Spekboom

From R 1,401 per night

Lilydale Rest Camp

Mokala National Park

Savanna biome · Baobab, Mopane · Stargazing, Guided walk

From R 1,206 per night

Elandsberg Rest Camp

Tankwa Karoo National Park

Succulent Karoo biome · 1 bird recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,741 per night

Richmond Rooms

Richmond

Nama-Karoo biome · Spekboom

From R 1,230 per night

The Apollis Cottage

Concordia, Springbok

Succulent Karoo biome · Springbok, Spekboom · Stargazing

From R 1,700 per night

Mooifontein Farm

Colesberg

Nama-Karoo biome · Spekboom

From R 1,300 per night

Rooikloof Guest Farm

Sutherland

Succulent Karoo biome · Spekboom · Stargazing, Scenic drives

From R 1,600 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Gemsbok

Hosts have recorded the Gemsbok at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park and Augrabies Falls National Park.

When to go, park by park

Here all yearEasiest viewing

Best months to visit each park where hosts record the Gemsbok
Park	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Kgalagadi	Here	Here	Easiest viewing	Easiest viewing	Easiest viewing	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here
Tankwa Karoo	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

Early morning and late afternoon. The Gemsbok is out through the day, and easiest to watch before the heat.
Midday heat. Often resting in shade or near water.

Ways to look

Drive yourself

Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.

Where hosts record it

Kgalagadi Tankwa Karoo Augrabies Falls

Species

Oryx gazella

Records

1 562

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Gemsbok on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Which parks and reserves are best for the Gemsbok in Northern Cape?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Gemsbok at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park and Augrabies Falls 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 Gemsbok in South Africa?

The Gemsbok is most recorded in Northern Cape (50% of records), Western Cape (27% of records), Eastern Cape (9% of records), based on 1 562 iNaturalist observations. 12 places to stay on Spekboom in Northern Cape have recorded the Gemsbok on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Gemsbok?

The Gemsbok 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. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Tankwa Karoo National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Augrabies Falls National Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.