Remarkable Hyenas
“Serengeti Experience at its Best.
At night we hear lions, hyenas and many other animals nearby. Impeccable cleanliness, pleasant food and variety. Highly recommended.””
Often misunderstood, hyenas are among the most intelligent, adaptable, and entertaining animals you'll encounter on safari.
Photo Credit to Jean Wimmerlin
3 Things Guests Love About Hyenas
1. Hearing Their Calls Around Camp at Night
There are few safari experiences as memorable as lying in your tent while listening to the unmistakable "whoops," giggles, and calls of hyenas echoing across the plains. Because Moyo Tented Camp is located inside Serengeti National Park, guests are surrounded by wildlife 24 hours a day, making nighttime just as magical as the daytime.
2. Hyena Cubs Are Surprisingly Adorable
Their fluffy coats, oversized ears, curious personalities, and playful behavior make them incredibly cute. Watching hyena cub siblings wrestle and chase each other near a den is delightful.
3. They're Full of Personality
Hyenas are curious, social, and often funny to watch. They interact constantly with one another through vocalizations, greetings, playful behavior, and teamwork.
Fascinating Hyena Facts
They Aren't Dogs - Although they resemble wild dogs, hyenas belong to their own unique family called Hyaenidae and are actually more closely related to cats than canines!
They're Among Africa's Most Successful Predators - Many people think hyenas survive mostly by stealing food from lions. In reality, the opposite often happens. Spotted hyenas are exceptional hunters and can successfully catch prey in the majority of their hunts. Lions frequently steal kills from hyenas instead.
Hyenas Are Highly Intelligent - Research has shown spotted hyenas possess remarkable problem-solving abilities and complex social intelligence. Their clans have sophisticated social structures, individual relationships, and cooperative behaviors that rival many primates.
Female Hyenas Rule the Clan - Unlike most mammals, female spotted hyenas are larger, stronger, and dominate the social hierarchy. Every female ranks above every adult male, and daughters often inherit their mother's social status.
Their Jaws Are Incredibly Powerful - Hyenas have one of the strongest bites of any mammal. They can crush large bones that most predators leave behind, allowing them to access nutritious bone marrow while leaving almost nothing to waste.
They Have an Detailed Memory - Hyenas remember the voices, scents, and social rank of dozens of other clan members. This helps them navigate complex social relationships that can last for years.
Hyenas are Misrepresented
For decades, films, books, and popular culture have portrayed hyenas as cowardly, greedy, or sinister villains. The real animals couldn't be more different. Rather than being villains, hyenas are essential to keeping Africa's ecosystems healthy. By removing carcasses, controlling prey populations, and recycling nutrients back into the environment, they help maintain the balance that allows the Serengeti to thrive. Hyenas are also devoted mothers who fiercely protect their cubs (even against lions!).
The more time people spend observing hyenas in the wild, the more respect they tend to gain for these extraordinary animals. All three Moyo Tented Camp locations are situated inside the Serengeti ecosystem, where spotted hyenas are common, so guests at all three camps have a good chance of both seeing hyenas on game drives and hearing them after dark. However, because these are wild animals, no sightings or nighttime visits can ever be guaranteed.
Photo Credit to Melissa van Niekerk
Come observe this mighty predator for yourself.