Visitors at the Timbavati Game Reserve, near Kruger National Park, were treated to a rare sight on Sunday when a large python was seen drinking water along the riverbank.
The image, which quickly spread across social media, shows the snake partially submerged as it hydrates under the morning sun — a calm moment for one of Africa’s most powerful predators.
According to local wildlife experts, the snake is a Southern African python (Python natalensis), the largest snake species found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Fully grown adults can reach lengths of up to five metres and weigh more than 60 kilograms. The species is non-venomous and kills prey by constriction, wrapping itself around animals as large as impalas or small crocodiles.
Southern African pythons are not considered endangered but are rarely seen in open areas during the day, as they typically prefer hiding in dense bush or near water sources.
Their camouflage makes them difficult to spot, which is why photographs like this are unusual. Park rangers described the sighting as “exceptional” because the snake appeared relaxed and unbothered by its surroundings.
The python’s habitat spans across South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and parts of East Africa. Within South Africa, they are most commonly found in the Lowveld and bushveld regions — including the greater Kruger ecosystem, where Timbavati is located.
These snakes play an important ecological role by controlling populations of small mammals and other prey species.
Pythons generally spend much of their time hidden in termite mounds, rocky crevices, or burrows made by other animals.
During the dry season, sightings increase slightly as they move toward rivers and waterholes to drink.
While the python’s presence captivated wildlife enthusiasts, the sighting comes amid ongoing debates over the proposed name change of Kruger National Park.
Recently, the Mpumalanga legislature recently passed a symbolic resolution calling for the park to be renamed Skukuza National Park — a move intended to shift away from colonial-era names.
The proposal, led by the Economic Freedom Fighters and supported by the ANC and uMkhonto weSizwe Party, has drawn criticism from the Democratic Alliance, which warned that renaming the park could harm tourism and cost millions to implement.
For now, the resolution carries no legal authority, as the power to rename national landmarks rests with the South African Geographical Names Council and the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
However, the debate has renewed interest in the park’s heritage and the delicate balance between cultural identity and economic sustainability.
