Karoo National Park
Western Cape · Best Sep to Apr
1 place
Wildlife
Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
The meerkat or suricate (Suricata suricatta) is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family (Herpestidae).
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 Western Cape~65 records
Curve from 926 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 Meerkat is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
926 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Meerkat
Stays that give back
Across the Western Cape
Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa
Touws River
From R 7,820a night
Meerkat recorded here
Karoo Rest Camp
Karoo National Park
From R 437a night
Meerkat recorded here
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve
Western Cape
Price on request
Meerkat recorded here
More stays nearby
Oceans Away
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From R 43,712a night
Klein Waterval Riverside Lodge
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From R 3,425a night
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From R 2,250a night
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Price on request
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From R 9,900a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
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From R 4,355a night
La Clé Lodge & Villas
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Price on request
Plumbago Cottage - Stanford Country Cottages
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From R 2,850a night
Lauradale
Stellenbosch
From R 1,465a night
Coot Club
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Price on request
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek
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From R 1,950a night
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
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From R 2,235a night
Vergenoegd Löw Boutique Hotel & Spa
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Price on request
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
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From R 6,195a night
Assendelft Lodge
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From R 1,200a night
Tintswalo at Boulders
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Price on request
Thabile Lodge
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From R 1,400a night
Devonport House
Constantia, Cape Town
From R 3,500a night
The Alphen Boutique Hotel & Spa
Constantia, Cape Town
Price on request
The Whale Coast
Next stop
Southern right whales, sea cliffs, and Hermanus's harbour town
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Meerkat
Hosts have recorded the Meerkat at stays in or beside Karoo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karoo | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Here | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | 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 Meerkat 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
Species
Suricata suricatta
Records
926
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Meerkat on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Meerkat in Western Cape?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Meerkat at stays in or beside Karoo 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 Meerkat in South Africa?
The Meerkat is most recorded in Northern Cape (45% of records), Eastern Cape (25% of records), Mpumalanga (8% of records), based on 926 iNaturalist observations. 3 places to stay on Spekboom in Western Cape have recorded the Meerkat on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Meerkat?
The Meerkat 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. Karoo National Park: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Meerkat?
The meerkat or suricate (Suricata suricatta) is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It is the only member of the genus Suricata. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan".