Tortoises

Leopard Tortoise

The leopard tortoise is the most common tortoise species in the Kruger National Park, and you should see one crossing the road at some stage during your stay, especially in summer when they are more active in the heat. The name is derived from its mottled shell.

The other tortoise species that's common to the Kruger National Park is the padloper or "road walker", which is flatter than the leopard tortoise. Tortoises can fully retract their head and legs when they are threatened and they live on land, unlike terrapins that live in water.

There is not really any specific camp or game-viewing area that is best for tortoises, although I have seen more tortoises in the south of the park than in the north.

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Tortoises in the Kruger National Park:

leopard

You may bump into a tortoise crossing the road anywhere in the park, so please drive slowly because they are easily killed by cars.

Check out our Kruger reptiles gallery:reptiles gallery



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