uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
3 places
Trees & flora
Sweet Thorn
Vachellia karroo
Vachellia karroo, commonly known as the Sweet thorn, is a species of acacia, native to southern Africa from southern Angola east to Mozambique, and south to South 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
Records18,854 records
Curve from 18,854 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
Eastern Cape and beyond
Provinces where Sweet Thorn is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
18,854 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Sweet Thorn
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Izingwe Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Highmoor
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 200a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Mpila Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
From R 1,420a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Inzalo Safari Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: Hilltop Camp
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
From R 900a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Ithala (Ntshondwe)
Ithala Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Lehele Lodge at Gondwana Game Reserve
Gondwana Game Reserve
Price on request
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Injisuthi
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 170a night
Sweet Thorn recorded here
Kwena Lodge at Gondwana Game Reserve
Gondwana Game Reserve
Price on request
Sweet Thorn recorded here
More stays nearby
Oceans Away
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From R 51,428a night
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Oudtshoorn
From R 1,400a night
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
Riebeek Valley, Riebeek West
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Rhino Sands Safari Camp
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From R 22,680a night
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Price on request
Welgelegen House by RETURN Africa
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From R 2,800a night
An African Story by RETURN Africa
Bakoven, Cape Town
From R 9,900a night
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Price on request
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
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 Sweet Thorn
Hosts have recorded the Sweet Thorn at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Gondwana Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Species
Vachellia karroo
Records
18,854
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Sweet Thorn on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Sweet Thorn in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Sweet Thorn at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Gondwana Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Welgevonden Game Reserve, Ithala Game Reserve and Kruger National Park 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 Sweet Thorn in South Africa?
The Sweet Thorn is most recorded in Eastern Cape (61% of records), Western Cape (16% of records), Gauteng (12% of records), based on 18,854 iNaturalist observations. 12 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Sweet Thorn on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Sweet Thorn?
The Sweet Thorn 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. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Gondwana Game Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; Welgevonden Game Reserve: May-Sep, dry season. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Sweet Thorn?
Vachellia karroo, commonly known as the Sweet thorn, is a species of acacia, native to southern Africa from southern Angola east to Mozambique, and south to South Africa.
