Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights
Springtime was on full display in Kruger in October this year. The days were hot, the nights were warm and the bush was still dry which made spotting cheetah and leopard cubs so much easier. October also brought us an abundance of other newborn sightings like baby warthogs, elephant calves, hyena cubs and rhino calves.
But it was perhaps the more unusual sightings, one of which we've only experienced a handful of times over many years, that took our October game drives to the next level. The extremely rare black rhino, the elusive caracal, the beautiful bateleur eagle and two African fish eagle mates sounding their unmistakable calls from atop of withered tree were just a few of the highlights we got to share with our guests. Scroll down for more October 2021 Kruger safari highlights.
![1 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Cheetah and cubs](/imager/files/311127/1-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Cheetah-and-cubs_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311127/1-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Cheetah-and-cubs_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Cheetah with her four cubs.
![2 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Leopard](/imager/files/311131/2-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Leopard_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311131/2-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Leopard_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Beautiful leopard.
![3 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Kudu bull](/imager/files/311139/3-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Kudu-bull_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311139/3-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Kudu-bull_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Kudu bull enjoying the flowers of the woolly caper bush.
![4 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Baby warthogs](/imager/files/311150/4-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Baby-warthogs_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311150/4-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Baby-warthogs_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Proud mama warthog.
![5 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Bateleur eagle](/imager/files/311164/5-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Bateleur-eagle_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311164/5-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Bateleur-eagle_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
The unmistakable bateleur eagle.
![6 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Elephant calf](/imager/files/311181/6-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Elephant-calf_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311181/6-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Elephant-calf_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Elephant calf.
![7 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Caracal](/imager/files/311215/7-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Caracal_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311215/7-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Caracal_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
The rarest cat in Kruger; a caracal. In Afrikaans, it's known as a rooikat which means "red cat".
![8 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights African fish eagles](/imager/files/311238/8-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-African-fish-eagles_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311238/8-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-African-fish-eagles_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
African fish eagles call together to strengthen their social bond and reaffirm their territory.
![9 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Black rhino](/imager/files/311273/9-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Black-rhino_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311273/9-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Black-rhino_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
The tail end of two rare black rhinos at the tail end of our first game drive of the safari.
![10 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Leopard cubs](/imager/files/311302/10-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Leopard-cubs_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311302/10-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Leopard-cubs_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Two leopard cubs emerge from the bush.
![11 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Hamerkop](/imager/files/311334/11-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Hamerkop_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311334/11-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Hamerkop_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Hamerkops sometimes hunt by hovering over the surface of the water.
![12 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Lion](/imager/files/311381/12-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311381/12-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
A male lion scents the breeze.
![13 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Rock monitors](/imager/files/311458/13-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Rock-monitors_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311458/13-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Rock-monitors_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Something you don't see every day; cuddling rock monitors.
![14 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Rhino calf](/imager/files/311568/14-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Rhino-calf_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311568/14-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Rhino-calf_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Rhino calf.
![15 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights African wild dogs](/imager/files/311573/15-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-African-wild-dogs_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311573/15-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-African-wild-dogs_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Painted wolves playing energentically.
![16 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Tawny eagle](/imager/files/311585/16-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Tawny-eagle_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311585/16-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Tawny-eagle_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Tawny eagle.
![17 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Lion](/imager/files/311605/17-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311605/17-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
A lion stares up at a leopard's kill stashed in a tree.
![18 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Dwarf mongoose](/imager/files/311619/18-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Dwarf-mongoose_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311619/18-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Dwarf-mongoose_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Dwarf mongoose on the lookout for danger.
![19 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Verreauxs eagle owl](/imager/files/311671/19-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Verreauxs-eagle-owl_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311671/19-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Verreauxs-eagle-owl_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
The best chance of spotting a Verreaux's eagle-owl is on a night drive.
![20 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Black backed jackal](/imager/files/311736/20-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Black-backed-jackal_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311736/20-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Black-backed-jackal_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
This black-backed jackal hung around a lion kill in the hopes of stealing some scraps.
![21 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Yellow billed stork](/imager/files/311738/21-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Yellow-billed-stork_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311738/21-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Yellow-billed-stork_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
A very brave yellow-billed stork.
![22 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Lion cub](/imager/files/311747/22-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion-cub_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311747/22-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Lion-cub_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
We spotted this lion cub in the recently burned thickets. Without the adults around, it appeared quite nervous and quickly disappeared to a safer area.
![23 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Hyena cub](/imager/files/311757/23-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Hyena-cub_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311757/23-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Hyena-cub_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Inquisitive hyena cub.
![24 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Giraffes](/imager/files/311774/24-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Giraffes_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311774/24-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Giraffes_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Giraffes on the move.
![25 Kruger Safaris October 2021 Highlights Elephants](/imager/files/311796/25-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Elephants_f4ef04c6d493f6ab489a39857449c4e3.webp 1200w, /imager/files/311796/25-Kruger-Safaris-October-2021-Highlights-Elephants_9bc1d7ec99ff15fa2e56d491341cb022.webp 320w)
Elephants gather at the water.
South Africa's Kruger National Park is a fantastic year-round destination and no matter what time of year you choose to go on a Kruger safari, the game viewing is excellent. If, however, you want to combine Kruger with other destinations like Cape Town or Victoria Falls, contact us for advice on the ideal time to travel so you get the best out of all experiences.
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About the author
![Dianne](/uploads/files/_200x200_crop_center-center_none/D.-Kokkonidis.jpg)
Dianne Kokkonidis was born in Johannesburg, grew up in the Transkei and spent years exploring Europe. She returned to South Africa to live on a farm in the Outeniqua Mountains when the call of Africa got too loud to ignore. She comes from a family of storytellers, so it's no surprise she's now found her way into writing about one of the oldest stories known to mankind - the lure of Africa.