They might not have the swagger of a lion or the mystique of a leopard, but mongooses are among the bush’s most charismatic and underrated characters. Agile, intelligent, and endlessly curious, they fill a vital ecological role and often provide some of the most entertaining sightings on safari.

One of the first questions guests often ask—usually after a flash of fur darts across the road—is, “What is the plural of mongoose?” The answer, much to everyone’s amusement, is not mongeese or mongii but mongooses. Even better, a group of them is called a pack or the firm favourite – a business of mongooses.

These small carnivores are members of the Herpestidae family, closely related to civets, genets, and even hyenas. Across the globe, there are more than 30 species of mongoose, most of them native to Africa. While they vary in size, colour, and behaviour, many share an appetite for insects, reptiles, and small rodents—and a legendary fearlessness when faced with snakes. It is this surprising boldness that inspired the character of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi in Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale.

At Londolozi,  we encounter five different mongoose species, ranging from the common to the incredibly rare. Each has its own story, behaviours, and bushveld charm.

A little dwarf mongoose is overcome by its curiosity and pokes its head out of the safety of a termite mound to investigate us in the vehicle.

The Dwarf Mongoose

These are the smallest of all African mongooses and, arguably, the most charming. Weighing in at around 300 grams, they live in tight-knit family groups of up to 30 individuals and are usually seen sunbathing on termite mounds or darting into hollow logs. One individual—the dominant female—leads the group, while others help rear her offspring. They’re highly social and vocal, constantly communicating through squeaks and chirps. I once spent time observing a group while a drongo followed overhead, exploiting the insects they disturbed. Their world is small, but full of drama—a perspective I once tried to capture in a blog titled Life from a Dwarf Mongoose’s Perspective.

Small in size yet bold in character, the dwarf mongoose is not to be underestimated as the smallest carnivore across Africa.

The Slender Mongoose

Slightly larger and more solitary than their dwarf cousins, slender mongooses are typically seen alone or in pairs. Their reddish-brown coats and long, bushy tails make them easy to identify—if you can spot them before they vanish into the undergrowth. They’re incredibly agile and are known to prey on insects, rodents, and even birds’ eggs. Their wariness makes photographing them a rare treat.

Slender mongooses are built for speed. Their long limbs and graceful bodies hint at the same design principles as cheetahs: streamlined, solitary, and always alert.

The Banded Mongoose

Easily recognisable by the dark stripes across their backs, banded mongooses are the most “boisterous” of the lot. These social animals live in large troops and are often seen foraging together across open ground, digging for grubs and scorpions. They have a communal way of life: they sleep, eat, and raise young as a group. In some areas, they’ve even been observed forming symbiotic relationships with warthogs, grooming them in exchange for ticks – I can’t wait to see a warthog sit still for long enough for this one day! 

A troop of banded mongooses running across granite rocks.

The White-Tailed Mongoose

The largest mongoose in Africa, this nocturnal species is seldom seen during daylight hours. It’s typically encountered on night drives, its bright white tail glowing in the beam of a spotlight. Despite their size, white-tailed mongooses are shy and solitary, usually foraging alone for insects and small animals. Their droppings are often left in prominent places as scent markers—a sign that you’re in someone’s territory, even if you don’t see the owner.

Caught in the glow of a spotlight, the white-tailed mongoose reveals its namesake. Africa’s largest mongoose is mostly nocturnal and solitary, using keen senses to forage and leaving territorial markers on prominent paths.

The Meller’s Mongoose

The rarest of Londolozi’s mongooses, the Meller’s mongoose is a secretive, nocturnal creature that most rangers will only see a handful of times in their careers. It has dark grey-brown fur, a short bushy tail, and prefers dense vegetation. While little is known about their behaviour here, in other regions they’ve been noted for their termite-heavy diets and solitary habits. Any sighting is a cause for celebration.

So next time you’re out on a game drive, don’t just scan the horizon for elephants and lions. Look closely at the termite mounds, the thickets, and the road verges. You might just catch a glimpse of one of the bushveld’s most captivating little carnivores—living fast, low to the ground, and full of surprises.