Botswana
Parks: Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta · best months June, July, August, September, October (June to October)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Animals · Savanna · 2026
African wild dog in the wild: where, when and on which trip
Updated September 8, 2026 · Plan your trip
In short
The wild dog has the lowest hit rate of the big predators because the pack ranges over hundreds of square kilometres. Your best chance is the dry season, June to October, with a guide who follows the pack daily. Sometimes the sighting only works during the early-morning hunt.
- Biome
- Savanna
- IUCN status
- EN · About 6,600 adult animals (IUCN)
- Sighting chance
- variable
- Trip type
- Guided safari, small groups
- Budget
- 3,000 to 5,500 euros per person for 8 to 10 days
- Scientific name
- Lycaon pictus
About the African wild dog
The African wild dog hunts in a pack of near-constant size and covers great distances doing so. Visibility is therefore not guaranteed: you need luck that the pack crosses your area. Moremi, the Serengeti and Kruger are the most reliable places.
Endangered. Fewer than 7,000 adult animals remain, mainly through disease and habitat fragmentation.
Best countries for the African wild dog
Tanzania
Parks: Serengeti, Nyerere National Park · best months June, July, August, September, October (June to October)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
South Africa
Parks: Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve · best months May, June, July, August, September (May to September)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Photo tip
The blotched coat and big jaws ask for a fast shutter, at least 1/1000 second. Because the pack keeps moving, continuous autofocus works best.
With children
Yes, but visibility is uncertain. Pick a lodge with several game drives a day to raise the chance of a pack.
Combine
Combines with lion, leopard and cheetah in the same parks. Botswana and South Africa give the best combination per trip.
Sources
Keep exploring
How to book this trip
Readers support Animals Around the World when you book through these partners, at no extra cost to you. Read how affiliate works.
Best for safari
Safaribouwer (example)
Puts together your Botswana or Tanzania route with local guides.
! Watch out: prices shift per season, always ask for a detailed quote.
Best for flights
Ticketzoeker (example)
Compares flights to safari hubs like Maun and Kilimanjaro.
! Watch out: check baggage rules for charter flights separately.
Best for activities
Tourplatform (example)
Books whale watching or day tours with free cancellation.
! Watch out: always check the cancellation terms per provider.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the African wild dog so hard to see?
The pack is large and keeps moving through a huge range. You depend on its daily movement and on guides who keep track of the pack. Kruger and Moremi deliver the highest success rate.
Is it a dog or a wolf?
It is its own species, Lycaon pictus, neither dog nor wolf. It hunts as a pack and has a unique blotched coat that differs per animal.
What is the best time for the African wild dog?
The dry season, roughly June to October in Botswana and Tanzania and May to September in South Africa. Then the leaf cover is thin and guides follow the pack more easily.
Last updated: September 8, 2026. All sighting chances, months and prices are indications based on public sources, not travel advice and no guarantee. Always check your government’s current travel advisory before departure.