Where to see
Where to see the Small-spotted Genet in South Africa
Hosts have recorded the Small-spotted Genet at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park and Gondwana Game Reserve.
Genetta genetta

Planning a trip
When and where to find the Small-spotted Genet
Hosts have recorded the Small-spotted Genet at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park and Gondwana Game Reserve.
When to go, park by park
| 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 |
| Kruger | Here | Here | Here | 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
- After dark and around dawn. The Small-spotted Genet is mostly active at night, so a night drive gives the best chance.
- Daytime, resting. Usually out of sight in cover, a burrow or water.
Where to base yourself
- LimpopoBig FiveSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in Limpopo
- Northern CapeSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Northern Cape
- Western CapeBig FiveGuided drivesMalaria-freeStays in Western Cape
- MpumalangaBig FiveGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Guided drives from a lodge
A guide who knows where to look, with off-road and night drives in the private reserves.
Where hosts record it
Species
Genetta genetta
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Small-spotted Genet on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Small-spotted Genet in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Small-spotted Genet at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park, Gondwana Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve 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.
What is the Small-spotted Genet?
The common genet (Genetta genetta) is a small viverrid indigenous to Africa that was introduced to southwestern Europe and the Balearic Islands. It is widely distributed north of the Sahara, in savanna zones south of the Sahara to southern Africa and along the coast of Arabia, Yemen and Oman. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Stays that give back
Where to stay for a chance to see the Small-spotted Genet
Every stay on the Small-spotted Genet page lists the species its host has recorded on or near the property. A record is a sighting, never a promise.
See where to stay


