South Africa has reported encouraging progress in the fight against wildlife crime, with a 16% drop in rhino poaching in 2025 compared to the previous year. The improvement follows intensified anti-poaching operations, stronger cooperation between authorities and private reserves, and increased use of technology to detect criminal activity. For safari travellers, the figures highlight both positive conservation momentum and the ongoing challenges facing some of the country’s most iconic parks.
Key rhino poaching statistics for 2025
- 352 rhinos poached in 2025, down from 420 in 2024
- 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves or farms
- Major successes in KwaZulu-Natal, but Kruger National Park saw a worrying rise
Kruger National Park: Increase in losses
For travellers visiting Kruger National Park, the latest figures show a concerning trend:
- 175 rhinos poached in Kruger National Park in 2025
- Up from 88 rhinos in 2024
Mpumalanga - home to Kruger National Park - became the hardest-hit region, highlighting the ongoing pressure from organised wildlife crime syndicates operating around the national park.
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| The provincial and national breakdown for 2023, 2024 and 2025 (C) South African National Parks |
Major success in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
There is encouraging news from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, where poaching dropped dramatically:
- 63 rhinos poached in 2025, down from 198 in 2024
Authorities credit this improvement to:
- Expanded dehorning programmes
- Advanced camera and sensor technology
- Strong cooperation between park authorities, private rhino owners and conservation NGOs
Stronger law enforcement and convictions
South Africa continues to intensify its anti-poaching strategy with:
- Increased intelligence-led operations
- Greater cooperation between police, prosecutors and environmental agencies
- Successful prosecution of major wildlife trafficking syndicates, including a 20-year prison sentence handed down in a major rhino crime case in 2025
What this means for safari travellers
For visitors, the overall decline is a positive sign for conservation and sustainable tourism. South Africa remains one of the best places in the world to see rhinos in the wild, and tourism continues to play a key role in supporting protection efforts.
However, the rise in poaching in Kruger National Park highlights why responsible travel and conservation funding remain critical.
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