Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
12 places
Trees & flora
Mopane
Colophospermum mopane
Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane, mophane, mopani, balsam tree, butterfly tree, or turpentine tree, is a tree in the legume family (Fabaceae), that grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, 200 to 1,150 metres (660 to 3,770 ft) in elevation, in the far northern parts of southern 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
Records561 records
Curve from 561 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
Limpopo and beyond
Provinces where Mopane is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
561 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Mopane
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Spotted hyena
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 11,820 a night
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Flaky bark thorn · Leadwood
From R 379 a night
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Knobthorn · Leadwood
From R 1,445 a night
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Giraffe · African elephant
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
Roodewal Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Knobthorn · Leadwood
From R 10,966 a night
Boulders Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Flaky bark thorn · Giraffe
From R 7,295 a night
&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to DAKTARI Bush School and 1 other
Price on request
Bateleur Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Bushbuck
From R 2,820 a night
Sirheni Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Cheetah · Impala lily
From R 1,634 a night
&Beyond Ngala Tented Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Price on request
Punda Maria Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Fever tree
From R 319 a night
Mopani Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Blue wildebeest · Flaky bark thorn
From R 1,522 a night
Vhembe Wilderness Camp
Mapungubwe National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Mopane
From R 1,044 a night
Shingwedzi Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Bushbuck · Cheetah
From R 378 a night
Mazhou Camp Site
Mapungubwe National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Mopane
From R 339 a night
Lilydale Rest Camp
Mokala National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Mopane · Spekboom
From R 1,206 a night
Shimuwini Bushveld Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Cheetah
From R 1,670 a night
Pafuri Border Camp
Kruger National Park
Mopane recorded here · Savanna biome · Baobab · Fever tree
From R 3,458 a night
More stays nearby
Whale Coast Ocean Villa
Voëlklip, Hermanus
Fynbos biome · Southern right whale
Gives back to Stanford Animal Welfare Society and 1 other
From R 2,235 a night
Schoone Oordt Country House
Swellendam
Fynbos biome
Gives back to Barrydale Hospice
From R 4,355 a night
Rhino Sands Safari Camp
Hazyview
Savanna biome · Leopard · Lion
Gives back to Zululand Conservation Trust and 1 other
From R 22,680 a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
Fynbos biome · Black wildebeest · Bontebok
Gives back to BirdLife South Africa
From R 5,636 a night
Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Franschhoek
Fynbos biome · English oak
Gives back to Cape Leopard Trust
From R 6,195 a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Angulate tortoise · Wild olive
Price on request
The Drakensberg
Next stop
Sandstone amphitheatres and cool mountain air
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Mopane
Hosts have recorded the Mopane at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Species
Colophospermum mopane
Records
561
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Mopane on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Mopane in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Mopane at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Mokala National Park and 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 Mopane in South Africa?
The Mopane is most recorded in Limpopo (93% of records), Mpumalanga (7% of records), based on 561 iNaturalist observations. 18 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Mopane on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Mopane?
The Mopane 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; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season; Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: May-Sep, dry season; Mokala National Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Mopane?
Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane, mophane, mopani, balsam tree, butterfly tree, or turpentine tree, is a tree in the legume family (Fabaceae), that grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, 200 to 1,150 metres (660 to 3,770 ft) in elevation, in the far northern parts of southern Africa. The tree only occurs in Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum.