Wildlife
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a species of hyena, currently classed as the sole member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
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
Records3,393 records
Curve from 3,393 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 Spotted Hyena is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
3,393 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Spotted Hyena
Kruger National ParkLimpopo · Best Apr to Sep7 places
Kgalagadi Transfrontier ParkNorthern Cape · Best Aug to Oct6 places
Phinda Private Game ReserveKwaZulu-Natal · Year-round5 places
Sabi Sand Game ReserveMpumalanga · Year-round4 places
Timbavati Private Nature ReserveLimpopo · Best May to Sep2 places
Welgevonden Game ReserveLimpopo · Best May to Sep2 places
Addo Elephant National ParkEastern Cape · Year-round1 place
Madikwe Game ReserveNorth West · Best Apr to Sep1 place
Places to stay
40+ results in South Africa
- Which parks and reserves are best for the Spotted Hyena in South Africa?
- Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Spotted Hyena at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve 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 Spotted Hyena in South Africa?
- The Spotted Hyena is most recorded in Mpumalanga (64% of records), Limpopo (25% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (5% of records), based on 3 393 iNaturalist observations. 46 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Spotted Hyena on site or nearby.
- When is the best time to see the Spotted Hyena?
- The Spotted Hyena 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. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Phinda Private Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep; 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 Spotted Hyena?
- The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a species of hyena, currently classed as the sole member of the genus Crocuta, native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN on account of its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals.