Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
10 places
Wildlife
Nile Crocodile
Crocodylus niloticus
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile, the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile.
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
Records3,543 records
Curve from 3,543 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
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Nile Crocodile is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,542 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Nile Crocodile
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe
From R 240a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Punda Maria Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 319a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Umlalazi
Umlalazi Nature Reserve
From R 230a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Mpila Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
From R 1,420a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Hilltop Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
From R 900a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Maninghi Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Ndumo
Ndumo Game Reserve
From R 190a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Little Dinokeng Bush Lodge
Hammanskraal
From R 1,537a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Marataba Mountain Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Dulini River
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Dulini Leadwood
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Marataba Safari Lodge
Marakele National Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Nile Crocodile recorded here
Kruger Lowveld
Next stop
Bushveld game country and the southern gates of the Kruger
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Nile Crocodile
Hosts have recorded the Nile Crocodile at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game 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
- The warm hours of the day. The Nile Crocodile needs the sun's warmth before it moves.
- Cold mornings and nights. Tucked away until the day warms up.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger · Marakele · Timbavati
LimpopoBig FiveSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
KwaZulu-Natal
Phinda · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland
KwaZulu-NatalBig FiveSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in KwaZulu-Natal
Mpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaBig FiveGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Species
Crocodylus niloticus
Records
3,542
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Nile Crocodile on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Nile Crocodile in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Nile Crocodile at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Marakele National Park and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and other reserves. 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 Nile Crocodile in South Africa?
The Nile Crocodile is most recorded in Mpumalanga (49% of records), Limpopo (28% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (18% of records), based on 3,542 iNaturalist observations. 43 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Nile Crocodile on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Nile Crocodile?
The Nile Crocodile 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; Phinda Private Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Nile Crocodile?
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile, the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile.