Often seen on every visit; family groups move between river lines and woodlands.

Big cat icon; prides patrol roads, drainage lines and open patches.

Sabi Sand’s signature predator — often found in riverine thickets and big trees.

Heavy herds and classic dust clouds; one of the Big Five.

If you see one, it’s a highlight — sightings depend on area and protection measures.

Powerful predator-scavenger; often appears at kills after dark.

A lucky sighting: fast, social hunters with huge ranges.

More occasional than leopard/lion; prefers more open patches.

Often browsing acacia-like trees; easy to spot above the bush.

Classic striped herds; often near grazers like wildebeest.

Noisy herds; great prey base for lions.

Comical runners with tails up; often at waterholes mid-day.

Mostly seen in water by day; dramatic yawns and grunts.

Basking ‘logs’ on riverbanks; ambush predator.

The key prey animal — expect to see them daily.

Shy but iconic; males with dramatic spiralled horns.

Often near water; shaggy coat and white ‘ring’ on rump.

Forest-edge antelope; great leopard prey — spotted in thickets.

Tiny antelope that pops up in open scrub.

Another small antelope; often seen at dawn/dusk.

Smart and social; keep food secured at lodges/airstrips.

Playful troop species; common near rivers and lodges.

Mostly nocturnal; occasionally spotted on night drives.

Classic night-drive sighting; agile climber.

Tough, curious mustelid — rare but unforgettable on a night drive.

One of the most photogenic safari birds; often perches on roadside branches.

The classic “African soundtrack” near rivers and dams.

Big, charismatic and threatened; often seen walking through open areas.

A powerful raptor — a ‘big tick’ if you spot one.

Striking river bird with a massive red-and-black bill.

Often on wires or low branches; calls loudly in the morning.

Bold, glossy black bird that follows game and steals insects.

A classic bush companion with an unmistakable bill and call.

Easy to recognize in flight when it fans its wings and crest.

The ‘lily-trotter’ — walks on floating vegetation with long toes.

Iconic Lowveld tree; fruits feed wildlife (and make famous liqueurs).

Ancient-looking tree with hard, dark wood — great raptor perches.

A classic thorn tree; giraffes browse it and raptors perch on it.

Easy ID when fruit hangs like giant ‘sausages’.

Large riverine tree providing deep shade and fruit.

Massive fig tree; excellent birding and shade near rivers.

Bright lime-green bark glows in the afternoon light.

Common savanna tree; often turns red in the dry season.

Butterfly-shaped leaves; more typical as you go north in Greater Kruger, but patches occur.

Hardy tree with thorny branches; fruit eaten by many animals.

Showy pink flowers in the warmer months; a classic Lowveld sight.

Tall aloe with orange-red flower spikes (winter).

Golden puffball flowers in season; loved by insects and birds.

Orange ‘lion’s tail’ flowers attract sunbirds.

Large white/pink lilies after rains.

A garden classic; some lodges use it in landscaping.

Bright orange-red spikes after summer rains.

Floating lilies in calmer pools; lovely in early light.

Yellow flowers and fluffy seed pods in season.

Star-shaped patterned flowers (often in rocky spots).