Rock Monitor
Rock MonitorRock MonitorRock MonitorRock Monitor

Rock Monitor

Varanus albigularis

Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Tsavo West National Park
20 Verified sightings at Tsavo West National Park From 2019 to 2026
494 Verified sightings across all 31 parks From 2019 to 2026
December Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Rock Monitor

The rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) is a species of monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. The species is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, where, on average, it is the largest lizard found on the continent. It is called leguaan or likkewaan in some areas.

First described by François Marie Daudin in 1802, V. albigularis had been classified as a subspecies of V. exanthematicus, but has since been declared a distinct species based on differences in hemipenal morphology. The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic word waral ورل (English: "monitor"). The specific name albigularis comes from a compound of two Latin words, albus (meaning "white") and gula ("throat").

Subspecies of V. albigularis are: White-throated monitor, V. a. albigularis Angolan white-throated monitor, V. a. angolensis Eastern white-throated monitor, V. a. microstictus Black-throated monitor, V. a. ionidesi (but may be synonymous with V. a. microstictus)

Varanus albigularis is on average the most massive lizard in Africa, as adult males average about 6 to 8 kg (13 to 18 lb) and females weigh from 3.2 to 5 kg (7.1 to 11.0 lb). Large mature males can attain weights of 15 to... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Tsavo West National Park

Nile Monitor

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~30%
2 Ruaha National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~30%
3 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~30%
4 Gonarezhou National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
~30%
5 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
6 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
7 Samburu National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~20%
8 Etosha National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
~20%
9 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
~10%
10 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
11 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
12 Meru National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
13 Mikumi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
14 Mkomazi National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
15 Lower Zambezi National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
16 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
17 Mana Pools National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
18 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
19 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
20 Lake Manyara National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
21 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
22 Amboseli National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
23 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
Insufficient data
24 Nairobi National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
25 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
26 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
27 Namib-Naukluft National Park 🇳🇦 Namibia
Insufficient data
28 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
29 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
30 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
31 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Rock Monitor in Tsavo West National Park?

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Rock Monitor sighting in Tsavo West National Park, based on 20 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Rock Monitor in Tsavo West National Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Rock Monitor in Tsavo West National Park in our monthly data.

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