December in South Africa is a vibrant season for wildlife. Summer brings longer days, warmer coastlines and an explosion of activity across wetlands, grasslands and marine habitats.
Whether you are exploring Cape Town’s shores, taking a slow drive through a nature reserve or birdwatching around a lagoon, there are seasonal species that make this month especially rewarding. Here are five animals you can catch in the wild during December, and where to find them.
African penguin sightings
African penguins at Boulders Beach/Joshua Kettle/Unsplash
South Africa’s beloved African penguin is especially active in early summer. Around Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, you can spot them waddling across the sand, resting in the shade of shoreline vegetation or swimming in clear turquoise water. December is also a good time to see birds returning to their nests or interacting in larger colonies. Their comical nature and expressive behaviour make them one of the easiest and most joyful species to observe on foot.
Coastal mammals along the Cape
Seals on Duiker Island, Hout Bay/Dietmar Rabich/Wikimedia Commons
The Cape coastline is alive with movement in December. Cape fur seals are commonly seen sunning themselves on rocks or gliding through the water near Hout Bay and Duiker Island. Dolphins, including the playful Heaviside’s dolphin, also frequent the area at this time of year. They often appear close to shore, riding the surf or following boat wakes. If you join a marine safari, you might encounter both species on the same outing, which makes coastal wildlife viewing during summer particularly dynamic.
Baby antelopes in nature reserves
South African baby Antelope/ilikebutterflies/Wikimedia Commons
December aligns with the birthing season of many antelope species across South Africa. In reserves from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga, you may spot newborn impala, blesbok or waterbuck calves taking their first unsteady steps. These young animals usually remain close to their mothers and tend to graze or rest in more open areas, making them easier to see. It is one of the most moving sights of the season, as the landscape feels full of new energy and fresh life.
Wetland and coastal birds
Greater Flamingoes in Strandfontein/Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE/Wikimedia Commons
Summer rains and rising water levels attract a wide range of wetland birds into estuaries, pans and lagoons. December is an excellent month for viewing flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, ibis and oystercatchers along the coast and inland wetlands. Areas like Langebaan Lagoon, Strandfontein Sewage Works and parts of the Garden Route become prime birdwatching hotspots. With the right light and a pair of binoculars, flocks of waterbirds feeding or taking flight offer some of the most striking scenes of the season.
Rock hyrax and small mammals
Rock hyrax spotted in Augrabies National Park/Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE/Wikimedia Commons
South Africa’s smaller mammals are also active in December, especially in rocky landscapes and fynbos areas. Around Table Mountain National Park, the rock hyrax, also known as the dassie, can be found sunning themselves on granite boulders. Their squeaks and social behaviour make them a fun species to watch while hiking or picnicking. Other small mammals like grysbok or scrub hares may also be spotted in quieter sections of reserves, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.
Why December is a wildlife treasure
From penguins on the beach to seals in the surf, from newborn antelope in grasslands to flocks of flamingos across coastal lagoons, December brings some of the best wildlife variety of the year. Summer conditions create ideal viewing opportunities across the country and make it easy for travellers and locals alike to reconnect with nature during the festive season.
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