It was June 2021, and I was out on a training drive when we came across what is still one of the most unexpected and unforgettable sightings of my guiding career. A pack of painted dogs had been moving quickly through the area, their energy and focus unmistakable. Suddenly, movement ahead caught our attention. It was a serval, darting desperately for cover.
In a blur, the dogs flushed it up into the skeleton of a dead knob thorn tree.
Servals are not known for their climbing abilities. Unlike leopards, with their stocky frames and powerful forelimbs built for hauling kills into trees, servals have long, slender legs designed for pouncing on rodents in the grass. Watching one balance uneasily on bare branches was as surprising as it was extraordinary.
The dogs circled for a while before losing interest and trotting off in search of easier prey. We stayed with the serval for some time, watching as it clung nervously to the bark, tail-first as it attempted an awkward descent. Eventually, with one final leap, it disappeared into the long grass. Since that day, I have only had one fleeting glimpse of a serval, highlighting to us just how rare this encounter was.
A serval is a very secretive predator and quite hard to get a good view of. They favour grasslands and hunt small prey such as birds and rodents.
Servals are medium-sized cats, easily recognised by their oversized ears and exceptionally long legs, the longest legs relative to body size of any cat. Using their large, rounded ears to detect prey, these adaptations allow them to pounce on rodents hiding in thick grass, sometimes leaping over two metres into the air to catch birds in flight.
Despite their widespread distribution across Africa, they are seldom seen. Their solitary and mostly nocturnal habits, combined with their preference for tall grass cover, make encounters rare in the Sabi Sand. To see one at all is a stroke of luck; to watch one climb a tree is close to unheard of.
The Painted Dogs
The African wild dog, or painted dog, is one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores. Current estimates suggest fewer than 6,000 remain across the continent, with stable populations found only in large, connected landscapes like the Greater Kruger National Park.
They are extraordinary animals: highly social, with a pack structure built around cooperation and care for the young. Their hunts rely on teamwork and endurance rather than stealth, often resulting in dramatic chases across the landscape. For a serval, solitary and vulnerable, an encounter with a pack is a serious threat.
Why This Sighting Matters!
In the space of a few minutes, two of Africa’s rarest predators came together in one of the most unexpected ways. It was not just unusual behaviour, with a serval in a tree, but something highlighting the unpredictability of the bush.
From a conservation perspective, moments like these highlight both the fragility and resilience of wild places. Servals, though not endangered, are declining in many regions due to habitat loss, hunting, and persecution. Painted dogs face even steeper challenges: habitat fragmentation, snares, conflict with humans, and outbreaks of disease. Seeing both species at Londolozi, within the greater Sabi Sand and Kruger system, underscores the importance of protected landscapes for their survival.
A Lasting Memory
That training drive in 2021 remains etched in my memory. Watching a serval, awkwardly clambering down from a dead knob thorn after escaping one of Africa’s most formidable hunters, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a story I will carry with me and a reminder that in the bush, no two days are ever the same, and the rarest moments often come when you least expect them.
Incredible story and what a sighting, Kelley!
What an amazing experience Kelsey and the photographs are just outstanding. The photos of the wild dogs firstly crossing the river and the other with them posing are absolute crackers.
A fantastic sighting, Kelsey. During our many visits we’ve only had a fleeting glimpse of a serval at dusk on the ground.
An amazing sighting . I’ve been fortunate to see Servals in the wild, but in a predator rich area such as the Kruger and especially in an area like Londolozi a real treat
It’s some time since we saw trail cam photos from the grass plains …
Hi Kelsey, what a finding! A serval on a tree! The unexpected comes when all seems lost. I was considering another aspect of the knob thorn tree. Trees are basically essential for all life and they never end to surprise by their precious presence. It’s fantastic to see a serval anyway! I happened to watch exotic cats being brought to shows, and there is even a feline breed that’s out of a cross of a Serval to a domestic cat… no comment! As a child I liked so much wild dogs with their round ears, especially puppies. I couldn’t imagine they are so ferocious, what humans perceive as a neoteny is often a natural adaptation to the environment.
Absolutely amazing! What an incredible sighting! Love servals and wild dogs…
Great story, Kelsey! What an incredible sighting! I’ve seen servals twice, both times in Tanzania, and I didn’t know they are also found in the Sabi Sand. I’ll keep watching for them at Londolozi (hoping!).
Better late than never! I’m so glad you shared this long-ago sighting with us, Kelsey. So special and unusual!
Dear Kelsey, amazing. Cerval in a tree, unbelievable.
Hi Kelsey, what an epic sighting you had back then. Both these animals are so special, just viewing them gives a person a new prospective of their adaptability and survival structure. Your photo’s are beautiful of both animals.
Fantastic story Kelsey and just a reminder that some of the most amazing sightings are those that are least expected. I’ve seen a serval only a couple of times and the first was the most unique – hiding under a bush outside my room on a neighboring property. It was after dinner Christmas Eve and whilst I didn’t have a camera, it was a memorable experience – those are the best! I loved seeing your photos of this serval hiding in the tree and I know this memory will stay with you forever. Thank you for sharing.
What a fabulous sighting, Kelsey!
Two such special animals being thrown together by chance and you there to watch all, so fantastic!
Great Post Kelsey! I had never heard of a serval until doing camera trap IDs during the pandemic on zooniverse. Your post reminded me to go have a look at my “ collection” of 26 captures. They are beautiful cats! Thanks!