5 Places to see pangolins

1 TSWALU KALAHARI RESERVE, SA

Wendy Panaino leads one of Africa’s most established pangolin research projects, funded by the Tswalu Foundation. Using VHF telemetry devices, she’s able to monitor the animals who’ve always existed in this arid area at the foothills of the Korannaberg mountain range. Guests can accompany Wendy on pangolin walks or join a photography tour for reliable sightings. tswalu.com

2 REST, NAMIBIA

Home to superstar Honeybun, who featured in an Attenborough documentary, this animal rescue centre in Outjo rehabilitates and rewilds pangolins, Cape griffons and several other species. Founder Maria Diekmann offers day tours and there’s also an option to camp overnight. Come for the afternoon tours at 5pm for the best chance of sightings. restnamibia.org

3 OKONJIMA, NAMIBIA

Famous for their work with cheetahs, the Africat Foundation is now working on a study of pangolins by setting camera traps and tagging individuals to track their movement and behaviour. Guests staying at the reserve, mid-way between Etosha NP and Windhoek, have a good chance of encountering the species. okonjima.com

4 SANGHA LODGE, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

One of the few places to find tree pangolins in the wild. Founders Rod and Tamar Cassidy have trained local Ba’aka communities to track and protect the animals. Guests can also track habituated lowland gorillas and hike through the rainforest. Parts of the country are lawless, although the lodge is in the quieter south-west region. sanghalodge.com

5 MARATABA PRIVATE RESERVE, SA

Although not yet operational, there are plans to start a release project at this private concession within the Marakele NP in Limpopo. Headed up by vet Andre Uys, responsible for several of Africa’s most ambitious wildlife translocations, the reserve already has a good conservation track record. marataba.co.za