Spotted Hyena

The spotted hyena

The most common African predator


Information about Spotted Hyena

The hyena is Africa’s most common large carnivore. They were long thought to be solely a scavenger, but it is now known that it is one of the most successful hunters. Hyenas make a variety of vocalizations, including wailing calls, howling screams, and the well-known “laughter,” which can be heard up to five kilometres away and is used to alert other clan members of a food source.

Interesting facts about Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyenas live together in groups called clans that may have up to 80 individuals, with females dominating.

Being omnivores, they will also eat birds, lizards, snakes, insects and plants.

Unlike most other mammals, the female of this species is larger than the male.

Pictures of Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena
Spotted hyena
Spotted hyena

Highlights where the Spotted Hyena can be seen

Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Safari

Experience the thrill of a safari in Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s most remarkable wildlife reserves. Home to an incredible diversity of animals, the park offers the chance to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, from large herds of elephants moving gracefully across the landscape to buffalo, zebras, and antelope grazing on the open plains. Keep your eyes open for predators such as lions and hyenas, as well as smaller species that add richness to the ecosystem. Birdlife is also abundant, with a variety of species filling the air with sound and colour. Every moment on safari brings something new, as the animals go about their daily rhythms of feeding, resting, and interacting, creating an unforgettable glimpse into the wild heart of Africa.

Damaraland Namibia
Damaraland Nature Drive

Enjoy a nature drive in Damaraland. You might even be so lucky to spot the elusive and rare Desert Adapted Elephants! These elephants are slightly smaller compared to the Elephants you find in National Parks, and can cover extremely large distances. Depending on the rainy season, they can be spotted roaming the Ugab River. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but if there is one place in Namibia to spot these impressive giants, it is here.

Etosha National Park Namibia
Gamedrive in Etosha

Going on a game drive in Etosha is an experience to never forget. Vast, open plains as far as the eye can see, with in the middle a massive salt pan. This lack of vegetation and water makes it very easy to spot wildlife! Big game is often seen at the waterholes, and there is no chance you can miss the iconic outline of an elephant on the horizon.

Hwange National Park
Gamedrive in Hwange

Enjoy a game drive in Hwange: arguably one of Africa’s very best game-viewing destinations. This massive park has an impressive range of wildlife - lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog, and more. It is mirrored by the diversity of the park’s environment: the sandy southern part of the park skirts along the Kalahari Desert, while the northern grasslands are thick with granite outcrops and groves of teak and mopane trees. Hwange is home to one of the largest elephant herds in the whole continent, and it is also the largest - spanning an area of 14,600km² - and oldest national park in Zimbabwe.

Mahango National Park
Gamedrive in Mahango

Enjoy a gamedrive in the lush bushveld of Mahango Game Reserve! This park consists mainly of two parts: the bushland which is located in the west, and the "water front" which is located east along the Okavango river. Mahango is home to a lot of wildlife, so keep binoculars and camera's close by! We might be so lucky to spot a large herd of buffalo, some of the rare antelope species that live here, or even predators like lions.

nDzuti Safari Camp, Maseke Game Reserve
Greater Kruger Safari

There are numerous of private concessions surrounding the Kruger National Park, which give a more private experience compared to the sometimes crowded National Park. We are especially charmed by Maseke Game Reserve, as it is situated within a vast block of wilderness, where wildlife can roam freely from the different reserves surrounding it.

Maasai Mara lion cub
Maasai Mara Safari

The Maasai Mara National Park, located in southwestern Kenya, is one of Africa's most renowned wildlife reserves. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, it is famous for its exceptional population of big cats, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The park is also a crucial part of the Great Migration, where over one million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains annually.

Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro caldera is about 20km in diameter. It is the remains of a volcano that has been inactive for over 3,000 years. Many animals live in this environment, including numerous herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. Hyenas, jackals and wild dogs are also seen quite regularly. The felines (lions and leopards), present, are rarer to observe, but the numerous carcasses are witnesses of the activity of the fauna. The elephants observed are mostly old elephants that come here to retire. There are about 20 black rhinos, one of the last places where they can be seen from a distance in Tanzania.

Zululand HluHluwe-Imfolozi
Zululand Safari

A one of a kind experience: safari in Zululand! The province of KwaZulu-Natal is known for its rolling hills, filled with bright green fever trees. In the valleys you can find rivers meandering through the rural areas. This scenery is even more spectacular within the boundaries of the game reserves, where you can spot the Big 5 while on gamedrive.

Tuli Wilderness Lion
Gamedrive in Moremi

Enjoy a game drive in Moremi: arguably one of Africa’s very best game-viewing destinations. Moremi is the only proclaimed wildlife reserve in the Okavango Delta. It has the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana, and is regarded as the most beautiful in terms of landscapes as well. You can expect a stunning landscape of forests, lagoons, floodplains and islands. Game viewing is excellent year-round and resident species include lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, African wild dog, zebra, red lechwe and many more.

Lions in serengeti
Safari in Serengeti

Serengeti means "endless plains". The park covers almost 15 000km2. It is characterized by desert savannah landscapes over several kilometers that seem endless. For this reason, the observation of the cats is particularly suitable. Many lions are present in the park, which guarantees a 100% chance to observe the king of the savannah. Some even got into the habit of climbing trees to take a nap. Leopards and cheetahs are also regularly seen. The luckiest ones will witness the scenes of a shrine.

Although the cats are the stars of the Serengeti, other animals such as jackals, hyenas, ostriches, hundreds of gazelles of various types, families of elephants and many hippos are also seen. The ponds are filled with hippos and crocodiles.

ndutu safari serengeti tanzania
Safari in the Ndutu Region

Embark on an unforgettable safari in the Ndutu region, where the vast, open plains meet the iconic acacia woodlands. Known for its incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, Ndutu offers the perfect setting for a true African adventure. As you journey through this stunning area, you’ll encounter herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, while the predator action of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas adds an exciting twist. With its diverse ecosystems, Ndutu is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, offering incredible opportunities to witness nature up close in one of Tanzania's most magical locations

Savuti Chobe Elephant
Savuti Safari

A safari in Savuti is a true highlight for any wildlife enthusiast. Known for its raw, dramatic landscapes and intense predator action, Savuti sits in the western part of Chobe National Park and is famous for its large lion prides and frequent clashes between lions and elephants—a rare spectacle in the wild. The terrain is stark and beautiful, with open grasslands, ancient baobabs, and the mysterious Savuti Channel, which flows unpredictably and transforms the ecosystem when active. Game drives here often deliver thrilling encounters with leopard, hyena, cheetah, and wild dogs, alongside massive herds of buffalo and elephant. This is a place where nature feels untamed, and every safari drive promises a touch of unpredictability and drama.

Etosha National Park Namibia
Sundowner Drive in Onguma

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness & is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species and even 4 of the Big 5. Join one of the knowledgeable guides on a sundowner drive, and end the experience with snacks and drinks while the sun is setting over the African plains.

Our trips to spot the Spotted Hyena