Southern African Python
Southern African PythonSouthern African PythonSouthern African PythonSouthern African Python

Southern African Python

Python natalensis

Silhouette: DS Biswas · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Kruger National Park
109 Verified sightings at Kruger National Park From 2019 to 2026
213 Verified sightings across all 23 parks From 2019 to 2026
July Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Southern African Python

The Southern African rock python (Python natalensis) is a large python species native to Southern Africa inhabiting savanna and woodland. It was first described by Andrew Smith in 1833. Growing a length of more than 5 m (16 ft), this is one of the largest snakes in the world.

The Southern African rock python has a colouration that is similar to its northern relative, however it is described as being "drabber". Below the light stripe on both snakes' head, the southern species has a narrower dark patch that resembles a stripe instead of a patch. The Central African rock python (Python sebae) has two prominent light lines from the nose, over the eye to the back of the head, which are much duller in the Southern African rock python. The northern species has considerably larger head scales. It is also noticeably inferior in size to size the Central African rock python.

The Southern African rock python reaches an average length of between 2.8 and 4 m (9 ft 2 in and 13 ft 1 in). Individuals longer than 4.6 m (15 ft) are rare. Regarding body length and mass, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism, as females are significantly larger and heavier than males. Of... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
~20%
2 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
3 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
~10%
4 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
5 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
6 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
~10%
7 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
~10%
8 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
9 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
10 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
11 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
12 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
13 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
14 Waterberg Plateau Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
Insufficient data
15 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
16 Kafue National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
17 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
18 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
19 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
20 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
21 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
22 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
23 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Southern African Python in Kruger National Park?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Southern African Python sighting in Kruger National Park, based on 109 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Southern African Python in Kruger National Park?

July has the highest sighting rate for Southern African Python in Kruger National Park in our monthly data.

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