The plains around Satara is usually one of the best regions of the Kruger National Park for regular encounters with Black-backed Jackals, and that certainly was the case again when we visited in December 2021.
In the first few days after we arrived at Satara we were lucky to spend some time with a pair of Black-backed Jackals and their small puppies that were using a den just outside the camp’s north-west corner. The parents must have moved their den later because we didn’t get to see the family again later in our stay.
Another pair of baby jackals were to be seen on the H6 road and these lively puppies were responsible for lots of smiles. One morning we found them playing with every kind of dung that was lying on the road near them – I wondered what their parents thought of their smelly breath and fur!
Black-backed Jackals are great at making the most of every opportunity. We found this jackal scrounging around for grubs in elephant dung one morning on the S90.
While Black-backed Jackals are commonly encountered around Satara, the other kind of jackal that occurs in the Kruger National Park – the Side-striped Jackal – is a much rarer find. We only had one fleeting glimpse of one individual during our three week trip to Satara.
Side-striped Jackal
DeWetsWild 
As always, your images take me to a world that I have only read about or viewed in documentaries. I really enjoy your photo stories, they tell me of life in the wild, of nature as it has evolved.
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You are most kind, John. Thank you. We love sharing our wild places and their inhabitants with people who appreciate nature’s beauty like you do.
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Ons kry altyd jakkalse by Satara.
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Is beslis een van die beter plekke om hulle te siene te kry.
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Such amazing photography and so beautiful 🌷🙏♥️🌷
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Thank you, Thattamma. We’re grateful for such beautiful models.
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Most welcome friend and happy Monday 🙏❤️🌷
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En daardie ore is altyd kiertsregop – selfs al rus hulle ‘n bietjie! Mooi foto’s – dis lekker om hulle gesiggies van so naby te sien.
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Dankie, Corna. Jakkalse is baie intelligent en laat nooit n geleentheid verbyglip nie.
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How fascinating that there is a Black backed jackal, and even a side striped jackal. What an interesting curiosity of nature. When I saw the first photo I thought how sweet and charming though I’ve never thought of jackals in this way before! Beautiful photos.
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Thank very much, Carol. Jackals are a fascinating group of canids and we’re lucky to have two species here that are quite different in their behaviour.
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They’re really quite attractive, aren’t they, although playing in and with dung is a less attractive feature. 🙂
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Right you are, Janet. They’re very clever animals and great to watch.
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I simply LOVE seeing Black-backed Jackals!
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Ek het lanklaas ‘n jakkals gesien! Daai oortjies wat so regop staan! Pragtige foto’s
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Baie dankie, Aletta. Ons was baie gelukkig om hulle so gereeld raak te loop.
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Dis verseker.
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We do too, Anne!
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