uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
KwaZulu-Natal · Year-round
10 places
Wildlife
Water Monitor
Varanus niloticus
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae) found throughout much of Africa, but is absent from the west, where it is replaced by Varanus stellatus.
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
Records2,240 records
Curve from 2,240 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 Water Monitor is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
2,242 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Water Monitor
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Dulini Moya
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
From R 28,990a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Langebos Huts
Addo Elephant National Park
From R 2,093a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Singita Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Spekboom Tented Rest Camp
Addo Elephant National Park
From R 1,490a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Nyathi Rest Camp
Addo Elephant National Park
From R 2,901a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
Augrabies Falls National Park
From R 362a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Matyholweni Rest Camp
Addo Elephant National Park
From R 2,426a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Addo Rest Camp
Addo Elephant National Park
From R 461a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Cobham
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris
Mpumalanga
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Garden Castle
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 190a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Weenen
Weenen Game Reserve
From R 130a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Izingwe Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
Harold Johnson
Harold Johnson Nature Reserve
From R 200a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Monk's Cowl
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
From R 130a night
Water Monitor recorded here
Inzalo Safari Lodge
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Price on request
Water Monitor recorded here
The Midlands
Next stop
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Water Monitor
Hosts have recorded the Water Monitor at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| uKhahlamba-Drakensberg | Here | Here | Here | Here | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | Easiest viewing | 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
- The warm hours of the day. The Water Monitor needs the sun's warmth before it moves.
- Cold mornings and nights. Tucked away until the day warms up.
Where to base yourself
KwaZulu-Natal
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg · Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · Giants Castle
KwaZulu-NatalBig FiveSelf-driveStays in KwaZulu-NatalLimpopo
Kruger · Welgevonden
LimpopoBig FiveSelf-driveGuided drivesStays in LimpopoEastern Cape
Addo Elephant
Eastern CapeBig FiveSelf-driveMalaria-freeStays in Eastern CapeMpumalanga
Sabi Sand
MpumalangaBig FiveGuided drivesStays in Mpumalanga
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
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
Varanus niloticus
Records
2,242
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Water Monitor on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Water Monitor in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Water Monitor at stays in or beside uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Welgevonden Game 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 Water Monitor in South Africa?
The Water Monitor is most recorded in Mpumalanga (35% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (26% of records), Limpopo (19% of records), based on 2,242 iNaturalist observations. 38 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Water Monitor on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Water Monitor?
The Water Monitor 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; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Addo Elephant National Park: year-round, best Mar-May, Sep-Nov; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Water Monitor?
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae) found throughout much of Africa, but is absent from the west, where it is replaced by Varanus stellatus.