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How to Identify and Track Spoor on Your African Walking Safari

There’s nothing quite like exploring the African wilderness on foot. 

While a vehicle safari does provide breathtaking views and stunning wildlife encounters, a walking safari allows you to get up close and personal with the wild, fully enjoying the landscape in a way that feels raw and authentic. 

One of the most important skills that make a walking safari so exciting is learning how to identify and track spoor, the clues left behind by animals as they move through their natural habitat.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bush explorer, tracking spoor can reveal the hidden stories of the wild. So, lace up your boots, grab your binoculars, and get ready for an adventure that goes beyond just spotting the Big Five.

Tracks vs. Spoor: What’s the Difference?

Before we get started, let’s clear up a common question: what’s the difference between tracks and spoor?

Tracks refer specifically to the footprints or paw prints left behind by animals. These are the most obvious signs you’ll come across while walking in the bush.

Spoor, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes not only footprints but also other signs of an animal’s presence, such as droppings (scat), broken branches, scratch marks, feathers, and even the smells they leave behind.

So while tracks are part of spoor, spoor covers a wide range of evidence that an animal has passed through. Learning to recognise all of these signs will help you paint a fuller picture of the animal’s movements and behaviours.

The Basics for Spotting Animal Tracks

When identifying tracks on your walking safari, here are some key things to look out for:

  • Footprint Shape

Each species leaves behind a distinct footprint shape. For example, lions and leopards leave rounded pawprints with four visible toe marks and no claws (since their claws retract), while a hyena’s tracks show claws, and their prints are more oval-shaped. Elephants leave massive, circular tracks, whereas antelope have narrow, cloven hooves that form heart-shaped imprints.

  • Track Size

The size of a track can tell you a lot about the animal that made it. Large tracks usually mean large animals like buffalo or elephants, while smaller tracks might belong to a jackal or antelope.

  • Track Depth

Consider how deep the track is. Heavier animals like hippos and rhinos will leave deeper imprints, while lighter animals like impalas might leave more shallow tracks. The depth can also give you clues about the soil condition and how long ago the animal passed through.

  • Stride and Gait

Observe how far apart the tracks are. A predator like a lion on the move will have longer strides, while prey animals tend to have shorter strides as they move cautiously through the bush.

Other Signs of Spoor

While footprints are the easiest spoor to spot, don’t overlook other valuable clues:

  • Scat (Droppings)

Different animals leave different types of droppings. For example, elephant dung is large and fibrous, filled with plant matter, while lion scat is smaller, darker, and often contains fur or bones. Learning to identify scat can help you determine which animals are nearby and how recently they passed through.

  • Broken Branches and Trampled Vegetation

Larger animals like elephants and rhinos often break branches or trample small trees as they move. If you notice fresh damage to vegetation, it’s a sign that an animal has been in the area recently.

  • Scratch Marks

Look for scratches on tree trunks or the ground. Leopards often leave scratch marks on trees to sharpen their claws, while rhinos use their horns to scrape the soil. These marks can give clues about territorial behaviour or feeding patterns.

  • Feathers and Fur

If you find feathers or bits of fur on the ground, it’s a good indication that a bird or mammal has recently passed by or perhaps that a predator has just enjoyed a meal.

Tips for Tracking Animals on Foot

Tracking spoor is a skill that requires patience, observation, and a bit of detective work. Here are some practical tips for making the most of your walking safari:

  • Move quietly through the bush, scanning the ground for tracks and other signs of animal activity. Slow, deliberate steps will help you spot more.
  • If the edges of a track are crisp and clean, it means the animal passed through recently. Follow the trail cautiously, keeping an eye out for more spoor or even the animal itself!
  • Consider factors like wind direction, terrain, and time of day. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to track, as the light casts better shadows on the ground, making footprints easier to see.
  • If you’re hoping to catch sight of the animal, make sure to stay downwind so that they won’t catch your scent.

Tracking Spoor for the Ultimate Walking Safari

Tracking and identifying spoor is one of the most rewarding aspects of a walking Kruger Park safari. Not only does it teach you more about the behaviours and habits of Africa’s wildlife, but it also gives you a deeper connection to the environment. The next time you step into the African bush, take a moment to look down at the ground and around you there’s always a story waiting to be told.

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