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What to See
Spotted Hyena
[ Crocuta Crocuta ]
Earth’s quiet termite hunter, cloaked in moonlight.
As dusk falls over the African plains, a chorus of whoops echoes through the grass. The spotted hyena — fierce, social and endlessly resourceful — emerges from its den. In the moonlight, it reveals a world of complex hierarchy and surprising grace, a creature both feared and revered.
The African spotted hyena is a powerful and highly intelligent carnivore, often misunderstood due to its eerie laugh and scavenger reputation. Measuring up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) in length and weighing between 40–80 kilograms (90-200 lbs), it is the largest of the hyena species. Found in savannahs, grasslands and woodlands, these adaptable animals thrive across Africa’s diverse landscapes — from open plains to mountainous terrain.
Spotted hyenas are skilled hunters, capable of taking down wildebeest and antelope, though they also scavenge. Living in matriarchal clans of up to 80 individuals, they communicate through whoops, grunts and cackles. Their strong jaws can crush bone, and their digestive systems extract nutrients from nearly every part of a carcass. With excellent night vision, they are mostly nocturnal, patrolling vast territories in search of food.
In East Africa, spotted hyenas are commonly seen in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Amboseli, and Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Luxury lodges such as Angama Mara, Serengeti House and &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offer expertly guided safaris with chances to observe hyenas hunting, socialising or resting.
Do see our following guides for all the best parks, best camps & lodges and recommended safari trips to take in the Africa Spotted Hyena.
Where to go in Africa
What are the best parks & regions for seeing African Spotted Hyenas in 2026/27?
A glance at some of the best hotels & lodges for Spotted Hyena in 2026/27.
Don't miss our full Where to Go On Safari guide for a full details and ideas......
What are the Best Camps & Lodges for African Spotted Hyenas for 2026/27?
We highly recommend the following camps & lodges for Spotted Hyena for 2026/27. These are all tried and tested by The Africa Specialists™ so don’t hesitate to call us with any queries over them or to check latest prices, excursions and availability for you to your schedule.
Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Volcanoes National Park
From $450 per person per night
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Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp
Serengeti National Park
From $950 per person per night
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Don't miss our full Top Five Safari Hotels & Lodges in Africa guide for 2026/27
What are your best itineraries and tailormade trips to see African Spotted Hyenas in 2026/27?
A run through of some of the sample itineraries we have prepared over the years. Please note that we only tailor-make our safaris so these should be used as a guide for both the itinerary and pricing.
A Mobile Camp Exploration
Kwando Linyanti and Selinda, The Okavango Delta
From $6,000 per person
See the Trip
Serengeti and mountain gorillas
Kigali, Serengeti National Park, Volcanoes National Park
From $6,000 per person
See the Trip
Desert and Delta
Chobe National Park, The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, The Okavango Delta
From $6,500 per person
See the Trip
A Tanzanian Odyssey
Arusha, Katavi National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Northern Tanzania, Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Western Tanzania
From $6,500 per person
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Great Safari, Great Beach
Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $3,500 per person
See the Trip
Botswana Highlights
Chobe National Park, The Okavango Concessions, The Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls
From $4,000 per person
See the Trip
Do visit our Africa Safari Finder page to find more trips and locations...
What are the “Big Six” safari animals you must see in 2026/27?
There’s every chance, with a little planning and help from The Africa Specialists™ that you can see every one of your favourite “Big Six” animals in 2026/27. Use our following wildlife guides to the Big Six to get started…
Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?
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