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Where is my best guaranteed chance of seeing one?

I've seen one once in a pool (at road level) where the Nhlanganini stream crosses the gravel road from Letaba to Engelhard dam.
It was very secretive and sighting was brief.
Now I always approach all stream crossings (even dry one's) slowly and stop, switch off engine and open windows, to look and listen. Almost without fail there are plenty of sights to observe using this tactic, and one day there may be another finfoot.

I had to look up what kind of animal this was. Just in case you are also wondering, look here.

I have seen him once in 1993. It was clearly visible directly in front of Skukuza restaurant. The fact that it has to run as the legs are too far back on the body was clear to see.

Best place is around Skukuza... from the restaurant and then another very good spot is from the high-water bridge.

Never seen one in Kruger (only Zim) but as mikev says all river crossings should be scanned. These birds do not really swim in the middle of the rivers so you need to take time and be patient, as they swim in the reeds and tangle vegetation on the side they are hard to spot if you just stop for a quick look.

I have seen African Finfoot on the Sabie River, at the Paul Kruger Gate and on the highwater bridge just outside Skuks, heading south towards Lower Sabie. I reckon its a common bird in Kruger, but because they're so secretive they are greatly overlooked.

Good luck!!

Can't speak from experience, but my Birdfinder book recommends the low level bridge over the Sabie River by Skukuza, the high-level bridge where the H4-1 meets the H12 and Berg-en-Dal dam. Good luck.

I have done the Olifants Trail 5 times and the last 4 times I have seen Finfoot (3times directly underneath the Olifants camp) It is not part of the Trail but if you speak nicely to the Trails Ranger he will take you... I have found about 9-10 am is ideal but i suppose it could be any time of the day. Seen them further up the Olifants River as it comes into the Park South of Phalaborwa (So do the Olifants Camping Trail for a sure way of seeing this bird.) I have also seen him on Phugwane River south of Punda which is surprising as 90% of the time is bone dry but this time it was full. This river eventually comes into the Mphongolo along the tourist S56 and this in turn goes into the Shingwedzi, so any bets for Kannidood Dam?

I have seen one on two occasions at "Gezantfombi" waterhole near Crocodile Bridge on two occasions. That is if there is water.

They are very secretive and one has to be extremely patient to see one.

Don't worry WTM, your 'bogey-bird' might be the NT, but this is mine
I've heard quite a few people seeing it at Nature's Valley - just above the bridge of the GrootRivier. The conditions are pefect!!
I went walking along the bank in that area every morning (too early ) but had no luck.
I've heard them a few times in Ndumo but the bush is always too thick to get to the right spot.
I'm back in Nature's Valley for 2 weeks in November and will search again. Might even run into the NTagain

The best place to see a finfoot IMHO is from the bridge at the Paul Kruger Gate - we have often seen them there. I believe they are extremely territorial so this would seem like a good bet as you can get out of your car and stand at the far end of the bridge (in front of the corner house at Sabie Park). They are usually just in front of the reeds on the bank. Good luck.

@Gary. That NT is a pain in the neck. thanks for the tips on the finfoot down there. Will go have a look in December.

Thanks Penny. I am trying to convince these bafoons going to Kruger with me to enter Paul Kruger gate. We normally spend a few minutes on the bridge there. I had a good look around in Jan, but wasn't so lucky. Did see our only buff of the trip though. Will most definately have a look again if we enter there this upcoming trip.

On the H12, photographed by Jakkalsbessie, and posted Tue Sep 06, 2005....
I thought I'd post it here as well.

I have never seen an African Finfoot before and I was lucky enough to see one on the Sabie river from the bridge on the h4-1. I couldn't believe it and took as many photos as possible before having to move on as I was blocking the bridge.
Would you believe it, the next day I saw another one at the same place but a different bird!! This was in July 2009.
2 Finfoots in 2 days.