If you can’t make it all the way to Africa, or if you just miss being there to see all of the fantastic animals, there’s a way you can still see them. There are several live cams that have been setup around the continent where you can view animals at anytime of the day over the internet. Most of the live cameras happen to be at waterholes, giving viewers a better chance to see the animals (they have to drink water at some point, right?). Here are six great African animal cams that you’ll love.
1. Enkoveni Camp at Naledi Private Game Reserve, near Kruger Park
This live cam is pointed directly at the Olifants River and regularly captures animals like hippos and crocodiles hanging around. You’ll also likely see other animals that come to the area to drink. When night falls, you can sometimes hear baboons making their distinctive calls. Unlike some cameras, this one runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so there’s usually something interesting to see, even if it’s just a large bug zooming by.
2. Pete’s Pond, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
Located in Mashatu Game Reserve, this waterhole cam in Botswana has been viewed over 16 million times. It originally began on National Geographic then got picked up by Wild Earth. The cam has zoomies (people who zoom in and out at all times of day to see animals) along with a microphone and lights that come on at night.
3. Mpala Research Centre and Wildlife Foundation, Kenya
This fantastic cam is run by Animal Planet and explore.org, a media division of the Annenberg foundation. The cam routinely gets great shots of animals and runs during the evenings in the United States. When the cam isn’t on, the best highlights of the last few days play on the viewer.
4. Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg, South Africa
The waterhole camera at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge is one of the most popular in South Africa and has been running since 1999 (at least on the hotel’s televisions) — the new camera streams across the internet as well. If you happen to go to Kwa Maritane in person, you can visit the waterhole by going through the underground hide after walking through a 200 meter tunnel that gets guests right in front of the action without disturbing any of the wildlife.
5. Nkorho Bush Lodge, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Located in one of the densest wildlife areas in Africa, this cam is able to capture some incredible animal sightings. The cam is pointed directly at a watering hole that regularly sees large packs of animals come to drink. Sabi Sands is also known for being a great place to spot leopards, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see one come by.
6. SANParks (Multiple Cams)
While these aren’t technically live cams, you can get updates on many of South African National Parks webcams every 15 seconds, so you can still spot animals as they come by the watering holes. There are cams placed throughout the country at Addo, Orpen, and Satara.
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