African Safari royalty-free images

951,263 african safari stock photos, 3d objects, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free., background elephant.

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Large group of African safari animals composited together in a scene of the grasslands of Kenya.

Large group of African safari animals composited together in a scene of the grasslands of Kenya.  Stock Photo

Mighty Lion watching the lionesses who are ready for the hunt in Masai Mara, Kenya

Mighty Lion watching the lionesses who are ready for the hunt in Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

African landscape with gazelles, Amboseli, Kenya

African landscape with gazelles, Amboseli, Kenya Stock Photo

Image of a South African giraffes, big family graze in the wild forest, wildlife animals safari, Kruger National Park, bushes of Sabi Sand game drive reserve, beautiful nature of Africa continent

Image of a South African giraffes, big family graze in the wild forest, wildlife animals safari, Kruger National Park, bushes of Sabi Sand game drive reserve, beautiful nature of Africa continent Stock Photo

Three giraffe on Kilimanjaro mount background in National park of Kenya, Africa

Three giraffe on Kilimanjaro mount background in National park of Kenya, Africa Stock Photo

African sunset with elephants

African sunset with elephants Stock Photo

South Africa. Safari in Kruger National Park - African Elephants (Loxodonta africana)

South Africa. Safari in Kruger National Park - African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Stock Photo

Four panels of african silhouettes with african wild animals in different habitats

Four panels of african silhouettes with african wild animals in different habitats Stock Vector

African animals silhouettes in sunset design template

African animals silhouettes in sunset design template Stock Vector

Big male lion lying in dense grassland - Kruger National Park - South Africa

Big male lion lying in dense grassland - Kruger National Park - South Africa Stock Photo

African lion couple and safari jeep in Kenya

African lion couple and safari jeep in Kenya Stock Photo

Predator´s love. Lioness and cub in the Kruger NP, South Africa

Predator´s love. Lioness and cub in the Kruger NP, South Africa Stock Photo

Single elephant walking in a road with the Sun from behind

Single elephant walking in a road with the Sun from behind Stock Photo

Two African bush elephants Loxodonta africana walk with baby in Chobe National Park Botswana

Two African bush elephants Loxodonta africana walk with baby in Chobe National Park Botswana Stock Photo

Herd of elephants in african savanna at sunset

Herd of elephants in african savanna at sunset Stock Photo

Silhouette of African safari scene with animals and vehicle

Silhouette of African safari scene with animals and vehicle Stock Photo

Flamingo birds in the lake Nakuru, African safari, Kenya

 Flamingo birds in the lake Nakuru, African safari, Kenya Stock Photo

Seamless African Pattern

Seamless African Pattern Stock Vector

Africa and Safari elements and icons

Africa and Safari elements and icons Stock Vector

An African safari animal silhouette landscape scene

An African safari animal silhouette landscape scene Stock Vector

African ethnic bright vector alphabet Hand drawn graphic font Primitive simple stylized design

African ethnic bright vector alphabet Hand drawn graphic font Primitive simple stylized design  Stock Vector

Big lion lying on savannah grass. Landscape with characteristic trees on the plain and hills in the background

Big lion lying on savannah grass. Landscape with characteristic trees on the plain and hills in the background Stock Photo

A horizontal, colour photograph of an in-focus leopard resting on a rise in the foreground with a safari vehicle filled with tourists looking on in the background, at Elephant Plains, South Africa.

A horizontal, colour photograph of an in-focus leopard resting on a rise in the foreground with a safari vehicle filled with tourists looking on in the background, at Elephant Plains, South Africa. Stock Photo

African elephant Loxodonta africana walks swinging trunk in sunshine in Chobe National Park Botswana

African elephant Loxodonta africana walks swinging trunk in sunshine in Chobe National Park Botswana Stock Photo

Game drive. Safari car on game drive with animals around, Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania.

Game drive. Safari car on game drive with animals around, Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania. Stock Photo

Group of giraffes in a National Park. Sunlight landscape.

Group of giraffes in a National Park. Sunlight landscape. Stock Photo

Afican savannah in evening light

Afican savannah in evening light Stock Photo

Zebras herd on savanna at sunset, Africa. Safari in Serengeti, Tanzania

Zebras herd on savanna at sunset, Africa. Safari in Serengeti, Tanzania Stock Photo

Setting sun with silhouettes of Giraffes and Acacia trees on Safari in Serengeti National Park

Setting sun with silhouettes of Giraffes and Acacia trees on Safari in Serengeti National Park Stock Photo

Gemsbok or south african oryx grazing on arid land in extremely dry arid regions of southern africa with mountains in background

Gemsbok or south african oryx grazing on arid land in extremely dry arid regions of southern africa with mountains in background Stock Photo

Lion mother of Notches Rongai Pride with cub in Masai Mara, Kenya

Lion mother of Notches Rongai Pride with cub in Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

Giraffe walking through the grasslands (Masai Mara; Kenya)

Giraffe walking through the grasslands (Masai Mara; Kenya) Stock Photo

The most beautiful lion of the Masai Mara

The most beautiful lion of the Masai Mara Stock Photo

Wild giraffes in african savannah. Tanzania. National park Serengeti.

 Wild giraffes in african savannah. Tanzania. National park Serengeti. Stock Photo

Lionesses walk along the road against the backdrop of a car with tourists. Africa.

Lionesses walk along the road against the backdrop of a car with tourists. Africa.  Stock Photo

Lioness displays dangerous teeth during light rainstorm - Kruger National Park - South Africa

Lioness displays dangerous teeth during light rainstorm  - Kruger National Park - South Africa Stock Photo

Wild Zebra socialising in Africa

Wild Zebra socialising in Africa Stock Photo

African animals set. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, rhino, lion, cheetah, antelope, ostrich, hyena, lemur, gorilla, crocodile, bird Secretary, warthog, zebra, parrot, okapi. Vector illustration

African animals set. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, rhino, lion, cheetah, antelope, ostrich, hyena, lemur, gorilla, crocodile, bird Secretary, warthog, zebra, parrot, okapi. Vector illustration Stock Vector

A herd of African elephants drinking at a waterhole lifting their trunks at the same time

A herd of African elephants drinking at a waterhole lifting their trunks at the same time Stock Photo

Side view of a group of tourists on safari watching elephant

Side view of a group of tourists on safari watching elephant Stock Photo

?Intense fight between two male Gemsbok on dusty plains of Etosha

?Intense fight between two male Gemsbok on dusty plains of Etosha Stock Photo

Vintage background with some animal print patterns, copyspace for your text

Vintage background with some animal print patterns, copyspace for your text Stock Vector

African Bush Elephants - Loxodonta africana family walking on the road in wildlife reserve. Greeting from Africa.

African Bush Elephants - Loxodonta africana family walking on the road in wildlife reserve. Greeting from Africa. Stock Photo

safari game drive with the elephants, masai mara reserve in kenya, Africa

safari game drive with the elephants, masai mara  reserve in kenya, Africa Stock Photo

Big lion crossing the road at African savannah

Big lion crossing the road at African savannah Stock Photo

Giraffe in Kenya, safari trip

Giraffe in Kenya, safari trip Stock Photo

Close up of a lion roaring

Close up of a lion roaring Stock Photo

Dreamy scene of common South African safari wildlife animals together at sunset

Dreamy scene of common South African safari wildlife animals together at sunset  Stock Photo

Spectacular sunset with baobab and giraffe on african savannah

Spectacular sunset with baobab and giraffe on african savannah Stock Photo

Two elephants crossing dirt road with tourists in jeep in background

Two elephants crossing dirt road with tourists in jeep in background Stock Photo

african safari

african safari Stock Photo

Row of African safari animals hanging their paws over a white banner. Image sized to fit a popular social media timeline photo placeholder

Row of African safari animals hanging their paws over a white banner. Image sized to fit a popular social media timeline photo placeholder Stock Photo

Black silhouette of animals of the African savannah. Lions give out among the trees. Landscape of wild nature. Africa. Vector illustration

Black silhouette of animals of the African savannah. Lions give out among the trees. Landscape of wild nature. Africa. Vector illustration Stock Vector

Leopard portrait

Leopard portrait Stock Photo

Migration of elephants. Herd of elephants. Evening in the African savannah.

Migration of elephants. Herd of elephants. Evening in the African savannah. Stock Photo

Wild nature of Africa. Zebras against mountains and clouds. Safari in Ngorongoro Crater National park. Tanzania.

Wild nature of Africa. Zebras against mountains and clouds.  Safari in Ngorongoro Crater National park. Tanzania. Stock Photo

giraffe in savannah

giraffe in savannah Stock Photo

Panorama silhouette tree in africa with sunset.Tree silhouetted against a setting sun.Dark tree on open field dramatic sunrise.Typical african sunset with acacia trees in Masai Mara, Kenya

Panorama silhouette tree in africa with sunset.Tree silhouetted against a setting sun.Dark tree on open field dramatic sunrise.Typical african sunset with acacia trees in Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

African safari animal. Hand drawn set.

African safari animal. Hand drawn set. Stock Vector

Herd of african elephants on a safari trip to Kenya and a snow capped Kilimanjaro mountain in Tanzania in the background, under a cloudy blue skies.

Herd of african elephants on a safari trip to Kenya and a snow capped Kilimanjaro mountain in Tanzania in the background, under a cloudy blue skies. Stock Photo

Springbok dual in dust - Kalahari desert - South Africa

Springbok dual in dust - Kalahari desert - South Africa Stock Photo

African sunset

African sunset Stock Vector

Woman rests after safari in luxury tent during sunset camping in the African savannah of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Woman Camping Tent Savanna Outdoors Concept

Woman rests after safari in luxury tent during sunset camping in the African savannah of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
Woman Camping Tent Savanna Outdoors Concept Stock Photo

Sunset in Africa, savanna landscape vector illustration.

Sunset in Africa, savanna landscape vector illustration. Stock Vector

Big male lion (Panthera leo) lying in the grass, Etosha National Park, Namibia

Big male lion (Panthera leo) lying in the grass, Etosha National Park, Namibia	 Stock Photo

Safari tourists on game drive in Ngorongoro

Safari tourists on game drive in Ngorongoro Stock Photo

Fight of two giraffes. Africa. Kenya. Samburu national park.

Fight of two giraffes. Africa. Kenya. Samburu national park. Stock Photo

Africa Sunset

Africa Sunset Stock Photo

Open roof 4x4 safari jeeps on african wildlife safari.

Open roof 4x4  safari jeeps on african wildlife safari.  Stock Photo

Family of mother and kids on African safari vacation enjoying wildlife viewing at watering hole

Family of mother and kids on African safari vacation enjoying wildlife viewing at watering hole Stock Photo

African Elephant Isolated on White

African Elephant Isolated on White Stock Photo

Tourists on safari take pictures of giraffes in Masai Mara National Park - Kenya

Tourists on safari take pictures of giraffes in Masai Mara National Park - Kenya Stock Photo

African flamingos in the lake over beautiful sunset, flock of exotic birds at natural habitat, Africa landscape, Kenya nature, Lake Nakuru national park reserve

African flamingos in the lake over beautiful sunset, flock of exotic birds at natural habitat, Africa landscape, Kenya nature, Lake Nakuru national park reserve Stock Photo

Safari game drive with the wildebeest, Masai mara reserve in Kenya, Africa

Safari game drive with the wildebeest, Masai mara reserve in Kenya, Africa Stock Photo

Zebra at sunset in the Serengeti National Park. Africa. Tanzania.

Zebra at sunset in the Serengeti National Park. Africa. Tanzania. Stock Photo

Beautiful Lion Caesar in the golden grass of Masai Mara, Kenya

Beautiful Lion Caesar in the golden grass of Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

Typical african sunset with acacia trees in Masai Mara, Kenya

Typical african sunset with acacia trees in Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

Elephants and Kilimanjaro

Elephants and Kilimanjaro Stock Photo

Zebra on grassland in Africa, National park of Kenya

Zebra on grassland in Africa, National park of Kenya Stock Photo

Africa travel map, decorative symbol of Africa continent with wild animals silhouettes

Africa travel map, decorative symbol of Africa continent with wild animals silhouettes Stock Vector

African landscape. Zebras herd and antelopes wildebeest at sunset, Kenya

African landscape. Zebras herd and antelopes wildebeest at sunset, Kenya Stock Photo

African savannah landscape in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

African savannah landscape in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya Stock Photo

african animals collection isolated on white background

african animals collection isolated on white background Stock Photo

Abstract colorful exotic illustration pattern. Creative collage contemporary seamless pattern. Fashionable template for design. African style.

Abstract colorful exotic illustration pattern. Creative collage contemporary seamless pattern. Fashionable template for design. African style. Stock Vector

Kilimanjaro mountain Tanzania snow capped under cloudy blue skies captured whist on safari in Africa Kenya.

Kilimanjaro mountain Tanzania snow capped under cloudy blue skies captured whist on safari in Africa Kenya. Stock Photo

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) walking on a sand dune with clouds, South Africa

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) walking on a sand dune with clouds, South Africa Stock Photo

Big male lion lying on the grass

Big male lion lying on the grass Stock Photo

Safari Wildlife Cheetah, Giraffe in Exotic African Plants Engraving Doodle Drawing, Tropical Wallpaper Mural Toile Seamless Pattern on Pink Background, Hand Drawn Lithograph Textile Summer African

Safari Wildlife Cheetah, Giraffe in Exotic African Plants Engraving Doodle Drawing, Tropical Wallpaper Mural Toile Seamless Pattern on Pink Background, Hand Drawn Lithograph Textile Summer African  Stock Vector

An elephant herd, led by a Magnificent 'Tusker' bull at a waterhole in the Addo Elephant National Park.

An elephant herd, led by a Magnificent 'Tusker' bull at a waterhole in the Addo Elephant National Park. Stock Photo

Vector set of stylized african icons

Vector set of stylized african icons Stock Vector

silhouettes of elephants, amboseli national park, kenya

silhouettes of elephants, amboseli national park, kenya Stock Photo

Elephants family on pasture in African savanna . Tanzania, Africa.

Elephants family on pasture in African savanna . Tanzania, Africa.  Stock Photo

African background, flyer with tribal traditional grunge pattern. Concept design

African background, flyer with tribal traditional grunge pattern. Concept design Stock Vector

Group of elephant in africa

Group of elephant in africa Stock Illustration

Cheetah mother and two older cubs, Masai Mara, Kenya

Cheetah mother and two older cubs, Masai Mara, Kenya Stock Photo

elephant approaching isolated

elephant approaching isolated Stock Photo

Close up of lion cubs laying together waiting upon mother.

Close up of lion cubs laying together waiting upon mother. Stock Photo

Large adult elephant with a snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro in the background

Large adult elephant with a snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro in the background Stock Photo

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89,862 An African Safari Stock Photos and High-res Pictures

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lion in high grass - an african safari stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

15 Animals to See on an African Safari

images of african safari

The word "Africa" is an evocative one that usually goes hand-in-hand with mental images of vast savanna plains dotted with exotic game. The majority of overseas visitors to Africa will go on  safari and, in doing so, discover that there is nothing more magical than a close encounter with the continent's incredible wildlife. Most of the species one sees on safari are unique to Africa, and many of them are instantly recognizable. In this article, we look at 15 of the continent's most iconic animals, including those that make up the African Big Five . 

TripSavvy / Felicia Martinez

To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the most humbling, impressive sights an African safari can offer. However, while witnessing a kill is the ultimate prize, you're more likely to see one sleeping than in active pursuit of dinner. Lions spend up to 20 hours a day at rest and are most active at dusk and dawn. They are the most social of all wild cat species, living in prides consisting of between five and 10 adult lions. Tragically, lions are threatened by human expansion throughout Africa, with experts prophesying that populations could fall by as much as five percent in the next 20 years.

Best Places to See Lions: Head to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana; or to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park during the wildebeest migration. 

There is nothing quite like the first time you see an  African elephant  in the wild. As the largest living terrestrial animal on Earth, their size alone is overwhelming; but many visitors also find themselves drawn by the elephants' tangible aura of wisdom. Elephants are found in various sub-Saharan habitats, including forests, deserts, and savanna. They are herbivorous, processing up to 600 pounds of vegetation per day. Although most elephants are peaceful by nature, they can be dangerous if provoked; however, they are far more at risk from humans than we are from them. 

Best Places to See Elephants: Vast elephant herds roam Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana. 

As the tallest animal on Earth, you'd think that giraffes would be easy to spot on safari. However, their distinctive brown and white markings serve as excellent camouflage, and it's not unusual for giraffes to materialize out of the bush just a few feet away. There are nine subspecies found across sub-Saharan Africa, all of which boast blue tongues, stubby horn-like protrusions on their heads, and of course, outrageously long necks. To drink without losing consciousness, the giraffe's neck contains unique veins and valves that regulate the flow of blood to its head. 

Best Places to See Giraffes: Spot large herds of Masai giraffe in the Serengeti, or head to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda to see the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. 

The elusive  African leopard  is a subspecies of leopard found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its wide range, leopards are among the most difficult of all safari animals to see, as they are both nocturnal and exceptionally wary of humans. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, and that is where they are most often spotted during daylight hours. They are solitary animals with exceptional predatory skills, including the ability to climb, swim, and drag prey weighing up to three times their body weight up into the trees. Leopards are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. 

Best Places to See Leopards: South Africa's Sabi Sands Game Reserve and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia are famous for leopard sightings. 

White Rhino

Thomas Halle/ Getty Images

The easiest way to tell Africa's two rhino species apart is by the shape of their bottom lip: wide and square for white rhinos and pointed for black rhinos. The name "white" rhino comes from a mistranslation of the Dutch word for "wide." Although the survival of both species is threatened by widespread poaching, white rhinos are more numerous and therefore easier to spot, especially in Southern Africa, where they prefer grassland and savanna habitats. White rhinos are the largest of five extant rhino species. Adult males averaging around 5,100 pounds are also one of the world's heaviest land mammals.

Best Places to See White Rhinos: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park and Kruger National Park in South Africa offer a good chance of spotting white rhinos.

Black Rhino

Manuel ROMARIS/Getty Images

Once found across Southern and East Africa, the black rhino is now considered critically endangered, with fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild and three subspecies already classified as extinct. Adult black rhinos have no natural predators, and their population collapse is predominantly due to poaching. They are killed for their horns, made of keratin, and exported to Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike white rhinos, which can sometimes be seen living in herds, black rhinos are generally solitary (although the bond between mother and calf is strong). They favor thick scrub and bushland.

Best Places to See Black Rhinos: Etosha National Park in Namibia is a rhino conservation success story with a thriving black rhino population. Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy is another renowned sanctuary for black rhinos.

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

The cheetah is the most slender of Africa's big cats, a magnificent animal known for its incredible speed. They are capable of short bursts of up to 70 miles per hour, making them the world's fastest land animal. However, cheetahs often have their kills stolen by other, more powerful predators despite their speed. They are a vulnerable species with only around 7,100 individuals left in the wild, including a tiny population of approximately 40 individuals in Iran. Cheetahs are found throughout Southern and East Africa in wide-open spaces that allow them to reach their top speed while pursuing prey. 

Best Places to See Cheetahs: The Maasai Mara National Reserve provides the ideal habitat for cheetahs. Alternatively, track rehabilitated cheetah on foot at  Okonjima Game Reserve in Namibia. 

African buffalo have a robust build and distinctive fused horns. They are grazers, typically moving in herds, with no natural predators except lions and crocodiles. Unlike other species of wild buffalo, the African buffalo has never been successfully tamed, thanks to its naturally aggressive and unpredictable nature. Although seeing a buffalo herd ranging across the savanna is undoubtedly an unforgettable sight, it's crucial to treat these animals with respect. They are responsible for multiple human fatalities every year and are considered one of the continent's most dangerous species. 

Best Places to See Buffalo: Katavi National Park in Tanzania is famous for its enormous buffalo herds. Chobe National Park is another good bet. 

Hippopotamus

Hippos are a common sight in Southern and East Africa's rivers, swamps, and lakes. Often found in groups of up to 100 individuals, hippos spend most of their life in water, only leaving their aquatic homes to graze on the riverbanks at dusk. They have several fascinating adaptations, including webbed feet, large canine tusks, and the ability to secrete a kind of natural sunscreen. Male hippos are territorial and, like buffalo, can be exceptionally aggressive when provoked. Similarly, take care never to get between a hippo mother and her calf. 

Best Places to See Hippos:  Zambia's  Luangwa Valley  is home to the world's largest concentration of hippos. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is also full of them. 

Nile Crocodile

After the saltwater crocodile, Nile crocodiles are the world's largest living reptile, with the biggest on record exceeding 20 feet in length. In sub-Saharan Africa, they are found in various aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and deltas. Crocodiles are well camouflaged in the water and are most often spotted sunning themselves on the riverbank. They have been around for millions of years, and with heavily armored skin and powerful jaws, they certainly look prehistoric. Nile crocodiles are perfect predators, employing ambush tactics to take their prey unawares. 

Best Place to See Crocodiles: Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River during East Africa's annual migration to see Nile crocodiles in action. 

There are three species of zebra in Africa; the plains zebra most commonly seen throughout East and Southern Africa , and the rarer mountain and Grévy's zebras. Although they may look like domestic horses, zebras are almost impossible to tame; their distinctive stripe patterns are unique to each individual as a human's fingerprints. Zebras live on grass, and in some areas, form great migratory herds to seek out the best grazing grounds. They often create a mutually beneficial relationship with another African species during the migration, the wildebeest . 

Best Places to See Zebra: For sheer numbers, you can't beat the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara during migration season. To see the endangered Grévy's zebra, head to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya. 

Thomas Retterath/Getty Images

Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild dogs are the largest (and one of the rarest) canids in Africa. They are highly social animals, living in packs led by an alpha male and female and communicating with a series of high-pitched twittering sounds. Wild dogs hunt as a team, chasing their prey until it collapses from exhaustion. Unlike other social carnivores, weaned pups are allowed to eat first at the kill to give them the best chance of survival. Nevertheless, African wild dogs are endangered, with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and diseases spread by domestic dogs.

Best Places to See Wild Dogs: Top destinations for spotting wild dogs include Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

The most common large carnivore on the African continent, the Hyaenidae family comprises four species of hyena: spotted, brown, striped, and aardwolf. Though their mighty jaws and strong digestive tract are ideally suited for scavenging, hyenas only feed on carrion and other refuse for 30 percent of their meals; for the other 70 percent, they prey on animals of all different sizes and shapes, including wildebeest, antelope, birds, and snakes. Hyena clans can consist of up to 100 members, and individuals will communicate with each other through wailing, screaming, and "laughing." Hyenas (particularly spotted) live in a range of habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas and grasslands to subdeserts and mountains.

Best Places to See Hyena: You can find hyenas in many national parks in Africa, including Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Namibia's Cape Cross Seal Reserve , and Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. For your best chance at seeing them, plan to sign up for a night safari.

This antelope species can be subdivided into the greater kudu and the lesser kudu subspecies, both of which can be identified by their white vertical stripes, spots, and chevron pattern between their eyes. Greater kudus are most prevalent throughout southern Africa's lowland Bushveld but can also be found throughout East Africa—particularly Kenya and the Horn of Africa region; similarly, lesser kudus tend to prefer the dense thornbush around East Africa. Males, characterized by elongated horns that can grow up to 6 feet in length, can typically be seen alone or with other bachelors, though you may find them with females during mating season. On the other hand, female kudus live in small herds with their offspring.

Best Places to See Kudu: Greater kudus are best seen in Kenya's Tsavo National Park and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Warthogs thrive in savanna woodland, grasslands, and marshes, taking up natural burrows and abandoned aardvark holes. With the use of their strong neck muscles and padded knees, warthogs will spend the day foraging for food, digging through soil to uncover tubers, roots, berries, and grass. Sows can be found in matriarchal groups comprising up to 40 female warthogs and piglets, while boars prefer to live alone or with other bachelors.

Best Places to See Warthog: Warthogs live all over sub-Saharan Africa but are most common in the eastern and southern parts of the continent. If you want to spot them on safari, consider planning a trip to Kruger National Park , Masai Mara , or South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

Top 10 Unmissable African Safari Destinations

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: The Complete Guide

How to Experience the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania

Top 10 Wildlife Parks and Reserves in Kenya

The Best Time to Go on Safari

An Introduction to Africa's Big Five Safari Animals

The Top 5 Places to See Leopards in Africa

The Top 12 National Parks to Visit in Africa

15 Great Natural and Wildlife Adventure Travel Trips

Fun Facts About Africa's Baby Safari Animals

Okavango Delta, Botswana: The Complete Guide

Best Places to Visit in Tanzania

10 Destinations to Top Your Africa Bucket List

The 18 Best Things to Do in Tanzania

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Safari for You

12 Best Things to Do in Kenya

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elephant in Chobe National Park in Botswana

17 unforgettable African safaris

Set off into the wild and see the world like never before with this guide to the best experiences in 11 countries.

Chobe National Park in Botswana holds one of Africa’s largest elephant populations.

What images come to mind when you hear the words “African safari”? Sitting in the bush on a moonlit night, so close to a lion that you can feel the rumble of its roar in your chest?

Many travelers might conjure up visions of tented camps, gourmet meals under a baobab tree, game drives through golden savanna, and sundowners at the end of the day. But safaris can also involve self-guided rental cars , game walks, and fly-fishing. Safaris can be as varied as the continent of Africa itself.

One recent trend: expeditions that enlist travelers in the fight to save endangered wildlife. Tourists make a difference by joining rhino or lion conservationists at work in South Africa or accompanying researchers working on a chimpanzee habituation project in Kibale National Park in Uganda . ( Read about the dark truth behind wildlife tourism. )

three adult zebras line up at a waterhole in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Three zebras line a waterhole in South Africa's Kruger National Park.

No matter where you go and what type of safari you choose, timing is key. Once you’ve narrowed your options, look into the best time to visit. South Africa’s summer (December through February), for example, is prime safari season in that region. You’ll still see wildlife if you go during South Africa’s winter (June through August), but pack a jacket, as temperatures can be chilly, especially before the sun rises.

Set off into the wild and see the world like never before with our guide to top safari experiences in 11 African countries.

a map of Southern Africa

Spot animals in these natural wonders.

South Africa

Kruger National Park: South Africa ’s largest game reserve, Kruger National Park makes a perfect home base for self-guided and first-time safaris. Stay in one of the park’s fenced camps, such as the Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp on the northern bank of the Crocodile River. Head into the bush early to explore the Southern Circle, famous for its competing lion prides and their varied hunting practices. Don’t miss the nearby hippo pool, but be sure to stay in your car outside of the camp. ( Take a solo safari through South Africa’s wild grasslands. )

Hazyview: Not far from Kruger’s southwestern Phabeni Gate, Hazyview is a family-friendly hub for horseback safaris, zip-lining, safari golf, and trout fishing. Check in to one of the lodges, such as Hippo Hollow Country Estate , and then head out into the Kruger before sunrise on a self-guided game drive to scout lions and white rhinos. Break for lunch in the town of Skukuza.

Timbavati Private Nature Reserve: The rugged Timbavati is one of the private nature reserves that make up the greater Kruger area. Guests can choose from eight lodges there. An upscale chalet at fence-free Simbavati Safari Lodges , for example, is perfect for families. Wake up early for game drives, perhaps to search for African wild dogs . Mid-morning, kids head into the bush for a scavenger hunt with a guide.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve: Animals aren’t the only sights to track on safari. In South Africa’s Western Cape region, wildflowers provide the dazzle. The two lodges at Grootbos , part of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World , sit amid the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, home to some 800 plant species. Watch for sharks and southern right whales from your suite’s deck. ( See the world’s best places for flowers. )

wildflowers in Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located in South Africa

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located in South Africa’s Western Cape, offers a "flower safari" to guests.

Hlane Royal National Park: Head to Swaziland , a country landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique , to see Hlane ’s fiercely protected rhinos and marabou storks. Stay in one of the park’s two lodges, Ndlovu Camp or Bhubesi, and enjoy self-guided drives on the safe game-viewing roads that crisscross the park’s flat terrain. Spot lions, hyenas, giraffes, and vulturess, then picnic at the Mahlindza water hole.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Black-maned Kalahari lions roam this reserve in central Botswana . Stay just north of the reserve at Deception Valley Lodge , where you can watch magical sunsets dip into the horizon from the deck of your chalet.

Chobe National Park: To the north of Central Kalahari, Chobe National Park is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. And Chobe Game Lodge boasts the only all-female safari guide team in Africa. ( Meet the all-female anti-poaching unit saving rhinos and other wildlife. )

elephants in Botswana’s Chobe National Park

Elephants enjoy a sunny day in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

Hwange National Park: All aboard the Elephant Express to tour the Ngamo Forest Area and Hwange National Park, known for its pachyderms and 400-plus species of birds. The two-hour safari rail trip is easily accessible to Imvelo Safari Lodges’ Bomani Tented Lodge or Camelthorn Lodge . Check out the game-viewing underground hide at nearby Stoffie’s Pan. North from Hwange, a four-hour drive or a one-hour flight gets you to regal Victoria Falls, a thundering natural wonder you can hear long before you first catch sight of it.

Mana Pools National Park: Try a river-based safari in a kayak at this remote park. The best time to go may be in April, when large herds of elephants, buffalo, kudu, and the elusive eland return to the four (or mana in the local language) large permanent pools along the south bank of the Zambezi River after the rainy season. Accommodations in the park include lodges, thatched chalets, and campsites.

Namib Desert: A safari here means brilliant stargazing, silky sand, age-old views, and resilient desert animals such as oryx, bat-eared foxes, Burchell’s zebras, and loads of lizards. Stay at & Beyond’s Sossusvlei Desert Lodge , located at the desert’s eastern edge. Explore the Namib dunes on a quad bike, and hike a craggy slope to see ancient rock paintings in a nearby cave, making sure to pack water, a hat, and sunscreen. ( See eerie photos of a Namibian ghost town. )

Gorongosa National Park: Located in central Mozambique , Gorongosa has been brought back to life after suffering the devastations of many years of civil conflict. Today, when you visit, you become a part of one of Africa’s most successful wildlife restoration stories. Home to floodplains and preserved palm forests, Gorongosa has an amazing diversity of wildlife, from antelope to primates and huge Nile crocodiles, as well as lions, elephants, and hippos.

crocodile in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park

A female crocodile guards her nest of eggs beside the Mussicadzi River in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park.

Selous Game Reserve: Visit this off-the-beaten-track and tranquil reserve in southern Tanzania for walking safaris and traditional game drives. Then cruise the Rufiji River to watch for elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, and brindled gnu. Stay at Beho Beho , a hilltop lodge that also has secluded tree-house accommodations for the extra adventurous.

Serengeti National Park: At Asilia’s Namiri Plains camp in northern Tanzania, visitors become part of the migration as they travel in a luxury mobile camp alongside herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles. Walking safaris get you closer to the action, with veteran Serengeti safari guides giving the play-by-play. The animals—often stalked by big predators, such as lions and cheetahs—follow one of Earth’s most ancient routes. And if you come too close to an animal, never run. Move away quietly.

Olare Motorogi Conservancy: Cross the border from Tanzania into southern Kenya for an iconic East African lodge experience at the Mara Plains Camp. About a 2.5-hour drive from the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, the eco-friendly camp was built by National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert with their partners at Great Plains Conservation . From camp, you’ll head out on safari to watch migrating zebras and wildebeests make exciting and risky river crossings. You may even see a few big cats. ( Experience an air safari through Kenya. )

a lioness resting in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kenya

A lioness takes in the view of Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy.

Ragati Conservancy: Kenya may be a great place to see the migrations, but it’s also a surprisingly fantastic spot for fly-fishing. On the southern slopes of Mount Kenya (Africa’s second highest peak), the Ragati Conservancy has mountain streams stocked with glistening rainbow trout. What makes the Ragati worth the trip? Nat Geo photographer and fly fisherman Pete Muller says that while Idaho fishing is amazing, “anglers won’t encounter an elephant along the Lochsa!” Fishing in Kenya, he says, also gives fishing enthusiasts the chance to visit locations such as Aberdare National Park.

Rwanda/Uganda

Volcanoes National Park/kalinzu Forest Reserve: Rwanda ’s Volcanoes National Park allows a limited number of visitors per day to hike into the jungle to view endangered mountain gorillas up close, as they groom each other, play, and eat bamboo shoots and fruits. Keep your eyes open for golden monkeys too. Nat Geo Expeditions offers an itinerary that includes a gorilla trek, then heads north into Uganda for a chimpanzee trek through the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve near Queen Elizabeth National Park. ( Here’s how to visit the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda. )

Zakouma National Park: Intense wildlife experiences await at this park known for the number of animals that make it their home. A herd of more than 500 elephants and flocks of birds, such as the black-crowned crane, in the tens of thousands, congregate here. Zakouma had a tremendous comeback after enduring civil unrest in the region. Visit between December and April, and stay at traditional Camp Nomade, its tents decorated with local carpets and brass bells.

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  • WILDLIFE WATCHING

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Passport & Pixels

46 Amazing African Safari Animals – A Photo Guide

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If you’re a wildlife or animal lover, going on a safari in Africa will be a dream come true. You’ve probably watched nature documentaries and the Lion King and wondered what it might be like to go to Africa and see these amazing creatures for yourself. Maybe you’re wondering what African animals you will actually see on safari?

Contents (click to view)

To answer all your questions, here’s my personally researched list of the top African animals and birds you might see on a safari. Every single one of these animals was photographed by me on just five African safaris – in Kenya, Botswana , South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda – so you can rest assured that this isn’t propaganda from a safari tour company, this could really happen to you too!

Amazing African animals Pinterest Pin

THE BIG FIVE AFRICAN ANIMALS

The Big Five are considered the top most exciting African safari animals. The name comes from big game hunters, who considered these five animals the most difficult and dangerous to hunt and kill.

Now the term is used by tour operators to describe the top five animals to see on safari – though it’s falling out of use now, as it’s considered outdated and inaccurate. There are WAY more than five amazing African animals to look out for, as this exciting list will show you!

1/ African lion

This male lion, photographed in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, is one of the most popular safari animals

The African Lion is the King of Beasts, the number one, Africa’s top carnivore, and right at the top of most people’s wishlists of animals on safari.

These iconic predators are the second largest big cats in the world after tigers, and the only cats that live in groups, known as prides. Pride family units usually contain mostly females with their young, as well as one or two males. Only the males have a mane, the females don’t, which is how you can easily tell them apart.

The females do most of the hunting, and they hunt mostly large mammals like antelopes, zebras and wildebeest. They usually hunt in the morning and evening which is your best time to spot them; during the day they quite often rest in the shade and are harder to see.

In Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park and Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park the lions climb trees, which is rare as most lions stay on the ground.

An African lion rests in a tree in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Top places to see lions on an African safari

  • Botswana – Okavango Delta
  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Park, Tsavo National Park, Laikipia Conservancy
  • Namibia – Etosha National Park
  • South Africa – Kruger National Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park , Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park has tree-climbing lions
  • Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park (especially the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector), Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo Valley National Park
  • Zambia – Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park (especially Lion Camp)
  • Zimbabwe – Mana Pools National Park, Matusadona National Park

2/ African leopard

Animals on safari: Leopard, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Leopards are, in my opinion at least, the most beautiful of all the African cats, with their stunning spotted coats and piercing green eyes. Unlike lions, leopards are solitary safari animals so you will rarely see more than one at a time; they hunt alone, preying on anything and everything from antelopes and baboons to rodents, birds, fish and even eating carrion.

Leopards are usually nocturnal so your best chance to see one will be in the early morning or evening, and they are strong, powerful animals who love to climb trees, so when you’re on your African safari make sure you look up!

A young female leopard with her kill in a tree, Khwai Reserve, Botswana

Top places to see African leopards on safari

  • Botswana ‐ Okavango Delta. Khwai Reserve
  • Kenya ‐ Masai Mara National Park, Tsavo National Park, Meru National Park
  • South Africa ‐ Kruger National Park
  • Tanzania ‐ Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
  • Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Zambia ‐ South Luangwa National Park

3/ African elephant

Animals on safari: African elephant, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Elephants are another of the Big Five, and a big favourite amongst animal lovers thanks to their intelligence and grace. Seeing a herd of elephants calmly crossing the road just metres from your safari vehicle is one of the greatest thrills of any trip to Africa, and if you’ve never seen them before it’ll be a truly heart-stopping moment.

African elephants come in two types: savannah elephants and forest elephants. Forest elephants are smaller and hairier, and live mostly in West Africa. The type of elephant you will see on your African safari is the African savannah elephant, or bush elephant, which is the largest land mammal, with the biggest males reaching up to almost 4 metres in height. They move around in big family groups led by a female, foraging daily for bark, roots, leaves, and herbs. An elephant can eat 150 kg of food a day!

A family of African elephants, Botswana

Top places to see African elephants on safari

  • Botswana – Chobe National Park , Okavango Delta
  • Kenya – Tsavo National Park, Masai Mara National Park, Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
  • Namibia – Etosha National Park, and you can see desert elephants in Kaokoland and Damaraland regions
  • South Africa – Addo Elephant Park, Kruger National Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park
  • Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park , Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Zimbabwe – Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park

Read more:  19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners

4/ Rhinoceros

Animals on safari: Southern White Rhino, Uganda

The name rhinoceros comes from Latin and means ‘nose horn’, though the word is often shortened to ‘rhino’.  There are two species of rhino that you might see on your African safari: the critically endangered black rhino, and the southern white rhino, which is more common.

Confusingly both types are actually grey – the ‘white’ rhino is said to get its name from the Afrikaans word ‘weit’ meaning wide, referring to the animal’s square-shaped mouth. Rhinos can weigh over 1000 kg and live to an age of about 40-50 years old. A rhino’s skin can be up to 5 cm thick!

Rhino numbers have been decimated over the course of the last century due to poaching, and there are now fewer than 30,000 left. But you should still stand a reasonable chance of seeing one, particularly if you visit a game reserve or rhino sanctuary. It’s quite rare to see a rhino in the wild – I did see one in Kruger National Park in South Africa but it was a veeeery long way away!

Rhinos: Ol Pejeta in Kenya is one of the best places to see these magnificent African animals

Top places to see rhinos on safari

  • Kenya ‐ Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park, Meru National Park, Masai Mara National Park
  • Namibia ‐ Etosha National Park
  • South Africa ‐ Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park
  • Uganda – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Tanzania – there are just a few left in Serengeti National Park
  • Zimbabwe ‐ Hwange National Park

Read more:  A Visit To Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda

5/ Cape buffalo

Animals on safari: Cape Buffalo, Serengeti, Tanzania

Last on the Big Five list is the African or Cape buffalo, which might not seem as exciting as a lion or a leopard, but is actually one of the most dangerous safari animals in Africa due to its enormous strength and extremely bad and unpredictable temper.  This is why buffalo have never been domesticated like cows.

Buffalo can reach up to 1.5 metres tall and weigh 750 kg, and both males and females have horns, though on the males the horns are fused together in the middle while on the females they are more on the sides of the head like normal cow horns.

You’ll easily see buffalo moving around in huge herds, and they can also often be found wallowing in lakes and watering holes. If you’re staying in a campsite in one of the national parks they sometimes wander into the camps at night to graze, so be careful when moving around after dark.

Baby buffalo look cute but buffalos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa

Top places to see Cape buffalo on safari

  • Botswana – Chobe National Park
  • Kenya – Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara, Ol Pejeta Conservancy
  • Namibia – Etosha National Park
  • South Africa – Kruger National Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
  • Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park, especially the Kazinga Channel , Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park
  • Zambia – South Lungwa National Park
  • Zimbabwe – Hwange National Park

ANIMALS FROM AFRICA: OTHER CARNIVORES

Animals from Africa: Cheetah, Serengeti, Tanzania

The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world, accelerating from 0 to 60 miles an hour in just three seconds and reaching a top speed of 75 miles an hour.  To be able to do this they’re much smaller and lighter than lions and leopards. They can’t keep up this speed for long though, which is why they stalk their prey through the long grasses, trying to get close enough before they pounce.

Seeing a cheetah on the hunt is one of the dream sights of any African safari. And while there are no guarantees, it is possible, because unlike leopards, cheetahs are daytime hunters. I saw the one above on the prowl in the Serengeti in Tanzania – it was one of the most thrilling moments of the trip, even though it didn’t catch anything.

Cheetah cubs gnawing on a kill, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Top places to see cheetahs on safari

  • Botswana – Okavango Delta, Linyati Reserve, Kwando Reserves
  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Reserve, Samburu National Park, Kora National Park, Meru National Park
  • Namibia – Etosha National Park, Several Cheetah Conservancies
  • South Africa – Phinda Private Game Reserve, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve
  • Uganda – There are very few cheetahs in Uganda; Kidepo Valley National Park is the only place to see them
  • Zambia – Kafue National Park

Animals on safari: Spotted Hyena, Serengeti, Tanzania

The hyena is not one of the Big Five, but is sometimes referred to as being one of the ‘ Ugly Five ‘. There are three species of hyena (spotted, striped and brown) but the spotted is the most common and can be found all across sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike most mammals the females are actually bigger and heavier than the males, weighing up to around 80 kg, and it’s the females that dominate the pack.

Hyenas are not endangered because they are extremely intelligent and adaptable, eating just about anything, from large animals like zebras and antelopes to birds, fish and lizards. But although they have a reputation for being scavengers, these African safari animals also hunt in packs and actually kill most of their food, which they eat in its entirety, even the skin and bones.

Seeing a hyena pack make a kill can be brutal and bloody

Top places to see hyenas on safari

  • Botswana – Okavango Delta, Savuti Reserve (Chobe National Park), Kalahari and Makgadikgadi (rare brown hyenas)
  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ambroseli National Park
  • Namibia – there are brown hyenas in the southern Namib desert
  • South Africa – spotted hyenas are not so common in South Africa but can be found at Skukuza in Kruger National Park and in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
  • Tanzania – Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
  • Uganda – Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth , Murchison Falls or Kidepo National Parks
  • Zambia – Liuwa Plains

African safari animals: Black-backed jackal, Serengeti, Tanzania

There are three species of jackals in Africa: the common jackal, black-backed (aka silver-backed) and the side-striped jackal. Jackals are closely related to dogs, and like the hyena they’re omnivorous, hunting small rodents, insects and reptiles but also scavenging whatever they can find.

Unlike other types of wild dogs, however, they don’t move around in packs but tend to operate alone or in pairs.  You’re most likely to spot one out looking for food on its own in the morning or evening, or if you see a buffalo or wildebeest carcass there may well be a jackal nearby.

Jackal puppies are among the cutest African animals - in my opinion anyway!

Top places to see jackals on safari

The three different species of jackal prefer different types of habitat.  You’re most likely to see silver-backed jackals on your African safari because they prefer open savannahs and are more active during the day than other kinds of jackal. Jackals can be found throughout sub-Saharan, east and southern Africa, including in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa.

9/ Mongoose

Animals on safari: Dwarf mongoose, Serengeti, Tanzania

The mongoose is one of Africa’s smallest carnivores, and is part of the same family as the much-loved meerkat. There are 34 different kinds of mongoose, including the banded mongoose, Egyptian mongoose (the largest kind, reaching up to 60 cm), and the smallest, the 17 cm-long dwarf mongoose.

Mongooses (the plural is mongooses, not mongeese) are active during the day and mainly eat small rodents, reptiles and insects. They live in burrows and some, like the banded mongoose, are social creatures and live in large communities, just like their meerkat relatives.

Banded mongoose eating a beetle, Botswana

Top places to see mongooses on safari

You can find mongooses in most parts of Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. They live in a variety of habitats ranging from forests and woodlands to savannah areas.  Look out for the telltale holes in the ground that are their burrows.

Read more:  The Amazing Animals Of Uganda: A Photo Guide

TOP ANIMALS IN AFRICA: HERBIVORES

African animals: Plains zebras, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Zebras are one of the most photogenic animals on safari – with their eye-catching stripes they really do look great in photos! There are three species of zebra – plains, Grevy’s and mountain – but the one you will most likely see on your safari is the plains zebra.

Zebras are closely related to horses – and scientists think they evolved stripes to confuse predators and make it hard to pick out a single individual from the herd. Every single zebra’s stripes are unique, like a fingerprint, and help them to recognise each other. While they may look calm, zebras can actually be quite aggressive and a well-placed kick from a zebra can kill a lion.

Recently, scientists discovered that plains zebras in Botswana make their own annual migration of up to 1000 miles between Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and the Chobe and Okavango Rivers, so if you love zebras and want to see them in huge numbers, Botswana is a great place to go.

Zebras drinking from a waterhole at Leroo La Tau Botswana

Top places to see zebras on safari

  • Botswana – Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Park, Tsavo National Parks, Lewa Conservancy (Grevy’s Zebra)
  • South Africa – Mountain Zebra National Park, Kruger National Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park , Ngorongoro Crater
  • Uganda – Lake Mburo National Park
  • Zambia – North Luangwa National Park, South Luangwa National Park

Read more: Leroo La Tau In Botswana: See The Incredible Zebra Migration

11/ Giraffe

African safari animals: Giraffes, Serengeti, Tanzania

With their glorious patterned skins and long necks, giraffes are the tallest living land animals, reaching around 5.5 metres in height. Giraffes are herbivores and their favourite food is the leaves of the acacia tree. There are four recognised species of giraffe in Africa – Maasai, Southern, Northern and Reticulated giraffe.

You will often see them gracefully feeding, wrapping their long tongues around the branches to pull off the leaves. Giraffes are quite sociable and hang around in groups – and a group of giraffes is called a ‘tower’.

If you’re very lucky, you may get to see giraffes fighting. The pair in the picture above are not courting, they’re both males and they’re about to beat each other up, which they do by bashing each other with their heads. This is known as necking and is a way for males to assert dominance over each other.

Giraffe at sunrise in the Maasai Mara, Kenya

Top places to see giraffes on safari

  • Kenya – Meru National Park, Maasai Mara
  • South Africa – Kruger National Park, Wildlife Reserves
  • Tanzania – Selous Game Reserve, Arusha National Park
  • Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park (there are over 1000 here).
  • Zambia – South Luangwa National Park

46 Amazing African Safari Animals - A Photo Guide

Hippos are the largest land mammal after elephants, weighing up to three tonnes, and surprisingly they cannot swim! Instead, they walk along under the water, where they are able to hold their breath for up to five minutes.

Although they look peaceful, hippos are actually the most dangerous mammal in Africa, responsible for the deaths of an estimated 300 people every year. They’re quite aggressive too, and you’ll sometimes see them grunting loudly or showing their teeth to intimidate rival males.

Hippos spend their days lounging in the water in lakes and ponds, and come out of the water at night to graze on grass.  So you’re most likely to see them on a boat trip , or in a watering hole in one of the many national parks or game reserves. If you’re staying in a campsite near a river or lake, they sometimes even wander into the camps at night, so be careful!

These hippos are grazing calmly, but hippos are the most dangerous African animals

Top places to see hippos on safari

  • Botswana – Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park
  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Tanzania – Selous Game Reserve, Katavi National Park, Serengeti
  • Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park , Queen Elizabeth National Park, especially the Kazinga Channel.
  • Zambia – Zambezi River

Read more:  A Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel, Uganda

13/ Warthog

Animals on a safari: Warthog, Tanzania

If you’ve seen the Lion King you’ll probably remember the character of Pumbaa – he’s a warthog. Warthogs are related to pigs, and as their name suggests they are medium-sized, pig-like animals with warty growths on their faces. These are not actually warts, but patches of thick skin to protect the animal’s face when it gets into fights.

There are two types – common warthogs and desert warthogs – and you may see both on your African safari. They live in burrows, normally occupying abandoned holes dug by other animals like aardvarks. Warthogs are sometimes thought of as quite aggressive – and they can be – but they are actually herbivores and more often than not will run away at any sign of danger.

I photographed these baby warthogs in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Top places to see warthogs on safari

Warthogs are found in all national parks and reserves throughout southern and east Africa. Top places to see these animals include the Masai Mara in Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania, Chobe National Park in Botswana , Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

Read more: Behind The Scenes On Safari In Tanzania

I photographed this furious hyrax in Tsavo, Kenya

The hyrax looks a bit like a plump, grumpy, guinea pig-sized rodent – and despite its cuddly appearance, is actually closely related to elephants and manatees. There are two types of hyrax: rock hyraxes, of which there are two species, and tree hyraxes, which have three species. All the species live in Africa.

Hyraxes are herbivores grazing on vegetation, bark, and fruits. Although they have a fluffy coat, they’re not very good at thermoregulation, so you will often see them sunbathing to keep warm. They also have specialised rubbery footpads for climbing up rocks and trees, and are known for their distinctive, high-pitched calls.

Top places to see hyrax in Africa

Hyraxes live in rocky terrains, savannas, and forests, and are commonly spotted in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Namibia. Look for them in national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, where rocky outcrops provide ideal habitats for these amusing little African animals.

15/ Porcupine

This shy crested porcupine was being stalked by lions in Kenya

There are about 30 species of porcupine in the world, but the one you’re most likely to see on your African safari (if you’re lucky) is the crested porcupine or African crested porcupine. While the name ‘porcupine’ comes from the Latin for ‘quill pig’, porcupines aren’t related to pigs and are in fact the largest and heaviest of all African rodents.

Porcupines are most famous for their quills, which are made of keratin and can reach up to a foot (30 cm) in length. When threatened, they raise them up and shake them to make an intimidating rustling noise. If the attacker doesn’t back down, they can release their quills, which can embed into the skin and are tipped with hooks, making them difficult to remove. However contrary to popular belief, porcupines can’t ‘shoot’ or ‘fire’ their quills at a predator.

Top places to see porcupines on safari in Africa

Porcupines are hard to spot as they’re typically nocturnal, but sometimes they can be active during the day, like the one I saw in Kenya (above). They live in a range of habitats including forest, deserts and rocky outcrops, and can live in rocky terrain up to 3,700 metres (12,100 feet) above sea level. Keep your eyes peeled for them in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana.

16/ Tree squirrel

The Smith's bush squirrel or tree squirrel is a very common animal in Africa

You’ll probably have seen tree squirrels in your own country, and African tree squirrels (also known as the Smith’s bush squirrel) are very similar, with brown fur and long, bushy tails. Squirrels are rodents, related to chipmunks, marmots and prairie dogs, and they’re primarily herbivores, mainly eating nuts, fruit and seeds, though they will eat some insects as well.

African tree squirrels aren’t particularly afraid of humans so you’ll commonly see them in trees around your lodge, where you’ll regularly hear their chattering calls or see them running up and down the trees and walls or foraging food on the ground.

Top places to see squirrels on safari in Africa

You don’t need to look hard for these guys as they’re very common, especially in wooded and urban areas. Commonly found in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, and Uganda, these squirrels thrive in environments offering ample tree cover and a variety of food sources.

AMAZING AFRICAN SAFARI ANIMALS: PRIMATES

17/ mountain gorilla.

Animals of Africa: Mountain Gorilla, Uganda

Gorillas are one of Africa’s rarest and most thrilling animals to see on safari. There are fewer than 1000 mountain gorillas left in the world, and they all live in a small area of forested mountains on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorillas live in family groups of around 10 individuals, and scientists have spent years gradually training some of these families to accept the presence of humans so that they can study them – a process called habituation.

Gorillas are the largest primates in the world, with the biggest males reaching over 1.5 metres tall and 180 kilos.  Just like humans, they communicate with both gestures and vocalisations and have 16 different types of call, including short barks, roars or hoots. Mountain g orillas mainly eat leaves and shoots, but have also been known to eat insects, and they can spend a quarter of their day eating.

Top places to see gorillas on safari

You won’t see gorillas on a regular African safari – you have to buy a special permit and hike into the forest, where you will be able to spend up to 1 hour in their company.  Here are the only places you can see these animals in the wild:

  • Uganda – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  • Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – Virunga National Park

Read More:  Gorilla Trekking In Uganda – The Real Inside Story

18/ Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee, Kibale Forest, Uganda

Chimpanzees are our closest animal relatives (they share 99% of our DNA), and are incredibly intelligent. They can learn and understand words,  show emotions including empathy, regret, and friendship, they can recognise faces, remember things, and they can make tools.

There are around 300,000 chimpanzees in the forest of equatorial Africa, living in large groups of up to a few hundred animals led by an alpha male. Chimps spend their day in the treetops resting, grooming, and eating; they also sometimes come down to the ground to feed, drink or hunt. At night they sleep in nests that look like large birds nests made of leaves.

Top places to see chimpanzees on safari

Chimpanzees can only be found in central and western Africa. There are none in the south. The best place to see them in the wild is Uganda’s Kibale Forest, but you can also find them in Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge near Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest (Murchison Falls National Park), and Semuliki Wildlife Reserve. Gombe National Park in Tanzania is the first park in Africa specifically created for chimpanzees.

If you want to find out more, I wrote about chimpanzee trekking for Lonely Planet .

Read More:  Chimpanzee Trekking In Uganda: A Breathtaking Wildlife Adventure

Animals on safari: Olive Baboon, Uganda

Baboons are the world’s largest monkeys. Like most monkeys they climb trees to sleep, eat and keep lookout, but they tend to spend most of their time on the ground, making them particularly easy to spot. They’re also not afraid of humans and often approach urban areas to scavenge. They frequently come into conflict with farmers by eating crops.

Baboons live in groups, called troops, of around 50 members. Since they’re not really afraid of humans, having a big troop of baboons surrounding your safari vehicle can be pretty intimidating!

Baboons are social animals that live in family groups. These are yellow baboons from Botswana.

Top places to see baboons on safari

There are five types of baboons living in different parts of Africa. You can see olive baboons in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, yellow baboons in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and Chacma baboons in South Africa and Zambia.

20/ Colobus monkey

Colobus Monkeys, Uganda

There are over 100 species of monkeys in mainland Africa, so they’re not hard to spot! Commonly-seen types include vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, patas monkeys and the ones above, which are black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Monkeys are divided into New World Monkeys (those from the Americas) and Old World Monkeys (those from Africa and Asia). The main difference between the two is that New World Monkeys have prehensile tails which they can use to grip things, while none of the monkeys in Africa and Asia have this skill.

Most monkeys are omnivorous, meaning they eat everything from leaves, fruit and grass to insects, birds and small rodents. Apart from baboons, most monkeys in Africa spend the majority of their time in the trees, so you’ll need to look up and keep your eyes peeled if you want to spot them.

Top places to see colobus monkeys on an animal safari

You can see monkeys in every African safari country – in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania you’re most likely to see vervet and colobus monkeys. There are only 2 species of monkey in South Africa.

Read more:  Things To Do In Entebbe, Uganda

21/ Vervet monkey

46 Amazing African Safari Animals - A Photo Guide

Another type of monkey commonly spotted on African safaris is the vervet monkey. Vervet monkeys are easily recognisable by their distinctive black faces and grey fur, and the males, surprisingly, have bright blue balls. No, that’s not a joke.

Vervets are native to southern and central Africa and are known for their adaptability, thriving in a wide variety of habitats. They have impressive problem-solving skills and engage in grooming rituals to strengthen social bonds. Their omnivorous diet includes fruits, leaves, insects, and small vertebrates.

A male vervet monkey displaying his bright blue scrotum

Top places to see vervet monkeys in Africa

You can spot vervet monkeys in savanna and forest habitats and national parks across central and southern Africa, including in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Uganda.

AFRICAN ANIMALS: ANTELOPES

There are over 70 antelope species in Africa, of which 21 alone live in Kruger National Park and 16 live in the Serengeti in Tanzania, so it would be impossible to list them all here!

‘Antelope’ is a term used to describe any deer-like animal, and includes things like impalas, gazelles, springboks, elands, kudus and many more – though unlike deer which shed their horns every year, antelopes keep them all the time. You will definitely see hundreds of of antelopes on your African safari, and below are just a few of them.

22/ Wildebeest

Top animals of Africa to see on an animal safari: Wildebeest, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Wildebeest (which are sometimes also known as gnus) may look like cows but they are actually a kind of antelope. The Afrikaans called them ‘wild beasts’ for their powerful build and sharp horns, and you certainly wouldn’t want to cross one, but these African safari animals are no match for the lions, leopards and hyenas that rely on them for prey.

The famous wildebeest migration is one of the greatest spectacles in nature, and if you’re lucky enough to see it on your trip to Africa you really will be in for the experience of a lifetime.

Every year, more than two million wildebeest, followed by large numbers of zebras, antelopes and predators, migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again, in search of grazing grounds and water. This is a constant cycle of movement, and many safari companies track the migration to make sure you have the best chance to see it.

Wildebeest at sunset, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Top places to see wildebeest on an Africa safari

The absolute best places to go are the Serengeti or Masai Mara during the migration, but if that’s not possible then you can also see wildebeest in plenty of other places, including…

  • Botswana – Chobe National Park
  • Kenya –  Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park
  • South Africa – Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, Golden Gate National Park
  • Tanzania – Selous Game Reserve
  • Zambia – South Luangwa National Park
  • Zimbabwe – Hwange National Park

Read more: Which Is The Best Botswana Safari Lodge? My Favourites With Photos

The impala is an animal you'll probably see on most African safaris

Impalas are one of the most graceful and elegant antelopes, with their glossy, short coats and long, elegantly curving horns up to a metre long. They’re a key prey for lions and hyenas, so they practise safety in numbers and congregate in herds hundreds strong.

Impalas are amazing jumpers, able to leap a distance of 10 metres or clear an obstacle three metres high. When running away from predators they often jump clear over bushes and shrubs rather than running round them.

Impala are one of the prettiest African safari animals

Top places to see impala on safari

You can see impala all over east and southern Africa, including Kenya (Masai Mara), Tanzania (Serengeti and Selous Game Reserve), Botswana (Okavango Delta), South Africa (Kruger National Park), Zambia (Luangwa Valley), Zimbabwe (Zambezi Valley and Lake Kariba) and Nambia (Etosha National Park)

Three topi photographed in Kenya

The topi is a larger and more heavyset type of antelope, reaching up to about 126 centimetres (50 inches) in height. It’s well-known for its interesting colour patches – safari guides often say the topi looks like it’s wearing blue jeans and yellow socks – as you can see in the photo above.

Both sexes have horns, which are elegantly ridged and curved in a lyre-shape. Topi are sociable, moving in herds of anything from about 15 to many dozens. They also co-exist peacefully with other herbivores like impala, wildebeest and zebras.

Where to see topi in Africa

Topi are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and are commonly found in the savannas of East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. They are popular prey for hunters like lions, hyenas and cheetahs.

25/ Thomson’s gazelle

Thomson's gazelles are pretty and easily-recognised antelopes

The Thomson’s gazelle, a petite and elegant antelope, sports a tan coat with distinctive black stripes on its flanks and face, and a white belly. The males have long, straight horns while the females’ horns are much smaller.

Well-known for their speed and agility, ‘Tommies’, as they are affectionately nicknamed, graze on a diet of grasses in the East African savannas. Displaying intricate courtship rituals, males engage in spirited displays of jumping and chasing to win over mates.

Top places to see Thompson’s gazelle in Africa

Thomson’s gazelles thrive in the vast grasslands of East Africa, notably in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. They prefer habitats with open plains, where they can use their swift running and leaping abilities to escape predators.

26/ Grant’s gazelle

A male Grant's gazelle photographed in Kenya's Maasai Mara

Grant’s gazelles look similar to a Thomson’s gazelle, and at first can be hard to tell apart. The main difference is that the Grant’s doesn’t have the distinctive black stripe on its flanks, and is a little larger – in fact it’s one of the largest types of gazelle. It was named after a 19th-century Scottish explorer named James Grant, who is buried in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Like many types of antelopes (including Tommies and impala), Grant’s gazelles live in herds made up either of females with young, and groups of bachelor males. At breeding time, the males compete for the females, and the winning male will get to mate with all the females in his herd or ‘harem’, while the loser males get nothing.

Top places to see Grant’s gazelle on an African safari

Grant’s gazelles can mainly be be found in the expansive savannas of East Africa, including Kenya’s Maasai Mara, Tanzania’s Serengeti, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

27/ Bushbuck

Female bushbuck, Botswana

The bushbuck, a medium-sized antelope about 90 cm (35 in) tall at the shoulder, is an elegant creature with a coarse reddish-brown coat marked by pretty white spots and stripes. Only the males have horns.

While many African antelopes move about in herds, bushbucks prefer a solitary lifestyle, though they’re not aggressively territorial and are happy to graze near other individuals. They are herbivores, eating a diverse diet including leaves, fruits, and grasses. Remarkably agile, bushbucks navigate dense vegetation adeptly, and have exceptional jumping abilities.

Top places to see bushbuck in Africa

You can find bushbucks in woodlands and savannas across central and southern Africa, especially in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They are not nearly as skittish and shy as some other antelope species, and can even become quite time. In Botswana I regularly saw them in the gardens of the lodges I stayed in, where they were happy to graze near people.

28/ Hartebeest

Africa safari animals: Hartebeest, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Hartebeests are one of the fastest antelopes, capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 mph.  Their name means ‘tough ox’, and you can recognise them by their short, twisted horns on both males and females, long faces, and pointy ears. Hartebeest are very social safari animals and often group together in herds of up to 300.

Top places to see hartebeest on safari

With an estimated 360,000 hartebeest living in Africa, you should have no trouble spotting some of these animals on safari. Look out for them in any savannah national park or reserve, including the Serengeti in Tanzania, Masai Mara in Kenya, and parks in Uganda, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.

29/ Waterbuck

Two young male waterbuck, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

Another type of antelope you may see on your African safari is the waterbuck. Its name comes from the fact that when threatened it will often run and hide in water, sometimes submerging almost completely until the threat has gone away.

The waterbuck is recognisable by its shaggy coat and very long, impressive horns, which only the males have, and which can grow up to a metre long. The horns are so long and sharp that sometimes males fighting for territory can end up killing each other. A waterbuck’s skin gives off an oily secretion, thought to be for waterproofing, but which is also quite strong-smelling.

Top places to see waterbuck on safari

As the name suggests, you’re most likely to see waterbuck close to lakes and rivers, in groups of up to about 30.  Their territory is more towards east Africa and the east side of Southern Africa, in places like Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Uganda kob, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Kobs are quite similar to impala but less common, and are found only in central and west Africa and Uganda. They’re identified by their ringed horns which curve backwards, and their short reddish coat. Only the males have horns.

Kobs prefer flat or gently rolling countryside, close to water – but these are also ideal locations for farming so these safari animals frequently come into conflict with humans. They used to be common in Kenya and Tanzania but are now almost extinct in those areas due to habitat loss.

Top places to see kobs on safari

The best place to see kobs on safari is in Uganda, where the kob is so iconic it even appears on the Ugandan coat of arms.

Read more: 28 Top Things To Do and See in Uganda

46 Amazing African Safari Animals - A Photo Guide

The lechwe, also known as the red lechwe or southern lechwe, is one of the most semi-aquatic of all antelope species. They are proficient swimmers and can easily navigate through water – a skill they sometimes use to thier advantage to escape predators like wild dogs and lions.

Thanks to their russet-toned coat and the males’ large, elegantly curving horn, they are easy to recognise. Specially adapted to living in marshy or swampy terrains, these herbivores predominantly graze on aquatic plants.

Top places to see lechwe on safari

Since lechwe prefer wetlands, the best place to spot them is marshy habitats like the Okavango Delta in Botswana or water-rich environments in Zambia, Namibia, Angola, and Zimbabwe.

32/ Dik-dik

A tiny dik-dik photographed in Kenya's Mara North Conservancy

It’s a common misconception that the dik-dik is the world’s smallest antelope, but that award actually goes to the royal antelope. Nevertheless, the dik-dik is still very tiny, coming in at about 30–40 centimetres (12–15.5 in) at the shoulder and weighing about 3–6 kg (6.5–13 lb). The name dik-dik comes from the repetitive sound the females make when threatened.

Female dik-diks are larger than males, and only the males have horns. Known for their monogamous lifestyle, dik-diks form lifelong pairs and often mark their territories by rubbing their scent glands on twigs and branches, and by leaving droppings in dung piles, which they revisit over and over.

Top places to see dik-diks in Africa

To see dik-diks you’ll need to go to east Africa, where you can spot them in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. You’ll need to be quick though – with their sandy coloured coat they are very well camouflaged in the bushes, and they run away quick when humans come near.

Two male elands spotted in Kenya

From one of the smallest to the biggest! Standing almost 180 cm (6 ft) at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,200 kg (2,650 lb), the majestic eland is the world’s largest antelope. Males are bigger than females, with dramatic spiral horns like the two magnificent chaps in the photo above, and they live in herds led by a dominant male.

There are two species of eland, the common and the giant, though despite the names the common eland is only slightly smaller. The name ‘eland’ comes from the Dutch word for ‘elk’ or ‘moose’, and was given to it by the first Dutch settlers who came to the Cape of Good Hope and thought it look a bit like the large herbivores they knew back home.

Top places to see elands on an African safari

Elands can be found across central and southern Africa, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Although their populations are decreasing, the eland is still considered as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Agama lizard, Kenya

The kudu is an absolute icon, a truly magnificent head-turner of an antelope, standing over 5 feet (1.5 m) tall at the shoulder, and with spectacular widespread twisted horns, huge ears, and a drizzle of white-paint stripes trickling down its sides. There are two types, the greater and lesser kudu, which look similar with the lesser kudu being a bit smaller.

Kudu also have a distinctive white v-shaped band across their face, which my guide said helps to reflect the bright sunlight away from their eyes, acting a bit like sunglasses. Like impalas, kudus move in herds of females with a single dominant male, and the rest of the males move in bachelor herds, though some can also be solitary.

Top places to see kudu in Africa

Kudus are found in southern Africa where they prefer woodlands and bushy savannas where there’s plenty of cover. Look out for them in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia,

ANIMALS OF AFRICA: REPTILES

35/ nile crocodile.

Top African animals: Nile Crocodile, Uganda

The Nile crocodile is both Africa’s largest crocodile and one of its deadliest predators. Nile crocodiles can grow to around six metres long and weigh up to 750 kilos. While they mostly eat fish they will attack anything that comes within striking distance, whether that’s small hippos, wildebeest, birds, other crocodiles, or even people. It’s estimated that about 200 people are year are killed by crocodiles in Africa.

Crocodiles are cold-blooded safari animals and spend many hours keeping warm by resting in the sunshine on the bank of a lake or river. While they may look sleepy and slow, they can spring into action in a split second should any unsuspecting prey come too close. The best way to spot crocodiles is to take a boat trip and look out for them on the shore or resting in the shallows by the water’s edge.

Top places to see Nile crocodiles on safari

  • Kenya – Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
  • Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park , Queen Elizabeth National Park, especially the Kazinga Channel
  • Zambia and Zimbabwe – Zambezi River, Tributaries in Zambia

36/ Agama lizard

African safari animals: Male agama lizard, Serengeti, Tanzania

There are more than 30 different types of agama lizards, which are also known as rainbow lizards because of their stunning bright colours. Most of the year these safari animals are brown or grey, but in mating season the males develop these glorious colour patterns to attract a female. Different species turn different colours and the colour can be less bright if the animal is alarmed or has lost a fight with another male.

Males regularly show their dominance to each other by nodding, lashing their tails and opening their powerful jaws. Sometimes they fight, and you may see older males with damaged tails from previous combats. They mostly eat insects, waiting until one comes by and then snapping it up, using their sticky tongue to help hold onto it.

You’ll find agama lizards in rocky areas, either sunning themselves on the rocks or, if it’s too hot, sheltering in the shade. They’re quite small, up to about 30 cm long, but in mating season their bright colours make them easy to spot.

Agama lizard, Kenya

Top places to see agama lizards on safari

You can find agama lizards right across Africa, including in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

37/ Monitor lizard

Nile monitor lizard eating termite larva, Botswana

There are about 80 species of monitor lizard, native to Africa, Asia and Australasia, but the two you will most commonly see in Africa are the Nile monitor (sometimes called the water monitor) and the rock monitor. The one above is a Nile monitor, the largest lizard in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

Adept hunters and carnivorous by nature, these fearsome predators feed on fish, amphibians, and small mammals. In Botswana I even saw one hunt and kill a baby crocodile! Renowned for their adaptability, Nile monitors are excellent swimmers and climbers.

Top places to see monitor lizards in Africa

Nile monitor lizards prefer riverbanks, swamps, and wetlands, while rock monitors, as the same suggests, prefer rocky hillsides and drier habitats. Nile monitors can be spotted along the Nile as far north as Egypt and in east and southern Africa including Kenya and South Africa, while rock monitors are found more in central and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

African five-lined skink or rainbow mabuya, Kenya

Skinks are small lizards, with no clear neck and short legs – in fact some skinks have no legs at all and look more like snakes. Most skinks can shed their tails to escape predators and then grow them back in three to four months. They’re mainly insectivorous, eating flies, crickets, and other bugs.

In Africa there are over 70 species of skink. Unlike most reptiles, some species of skinks don’t lay eggs, but give birth to live young.

Top places to see skinks on safari

As cold-blooded animals, you’ll often see skinks basking on rocks, warming up in the sunshine. Different species of skinks can be seen all over Africa. I photographed the one above in Kenya.

TOP AFRICAN ANIMALS: BIRDS

There are over well over 2,000 species of birds in Africa so it would be next to impossible to list them all in this blog post! Here are just a few of the most iconic or noticeable ones that you might see on your African safari.

If you’d really like to know more about African birds, I’ve written a whole separate post called Top 50 African Birds: A Safari Photo Guide .

39/ Common ostrich

Birds of Africa to see on safari: Male ostrich, Serengeti, Tanzania

The ostrich is one of Africa’s most iconic birds. These huge creatures are the world’s largest bird – at up to three metres in height and 160 kilos they’re so big and heavy that they cannot fly. Instead, they are fantastic runners, reaching a top speed of over 40 miles an hour.

They have long, powerful legs which can cover up to five metres in a stride and kill a lion – or a human – with a single kick.  Ostriches hang around in small groups of up to about a dozen birds led by a dominant male and female. At breeding time, all the lesser females put their eggs in the dominant hen’s nest, where she and the alpha male take turns incubating them.

There is a famous saying that ostriches bury their heads in the sand, but this is not actually true. They do, however, cower down and press their heads and necks onto to floor, which may be where the saying comes from. As well as roaming wild, ostriches are also farmed around the world for their meat, eggs, feathers and skin, which is used to make leather.

Top places to see ostriches on safari

The main places to see ostriches are Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, where you can also visit ostrich farms and get up close to these amazing birds.

Birds to see on safari: Marabou stork, Uganda

Eight of the worlds 19 species of stork live in Africa, including the yellow-billed, saddle-billed, and African open-billed stork. But probably the most common one you are likely to see is the Marabou stork, an enormous, prehistoric-looking bird that reaches up to 1.5 metres tall and has a wingspan of up to 3.7 metres – one of the largest in the world.

Marabou storks are scavengers, feeding on dead animal carcasses, scraps and even the faeces of other animals, and frequently coming into towns and cities to scavenge in bins and rubbish dumps.

Many storks prefer to live in open and wetland areas, eating fish, shellfish, frogs, small birds and small mammals. They are voiceless so they don’t squawk or caw, but communicate by clattering their bills. Their nests are very large and you will often see them on the tops of buildings or high up in trees.

Top places to see storks on safari

Many storks are migratory and head to Africa from Europe during the winter months. You’ll find them all across sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. If you go to Uganda you will see them in and around the capital, Kampala.

41/ Hornbill

Birds to see on safari: Red-billed hornbill, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The hornbill is another creature you might be familiar with if you’ve seen the Lion King. Zazu , the king’s advisor, is a red-billed hornbill similar to the one above. There are 45 different types of hornbill, of which 24 can be found in Africa, and they’re easy to recognise because of their long, downward-curving bill which is often brightly coloured.

They’re also conspicuous because they’re relatively large birds, ranging from about 30 cm long to about 150 cm long depending on the species, and they’re quite noisy.

When hornbills breed, the female makes a nest in a hole in a tree, which she then seals up with her own excrement, leaving only a very narrow opening. The male must then collect food and feed her through the slot until the chicks are ready to fly.

Top places to see hornbills on an animal safari

Of the 24 types of hornbill found in Africa, 13 can be seen in open woodlands and savanna like the Masai Mara or the Serengeti; the rest live in dense forests and are harder to spot.  You will see different types of hornbills all across Africa, including in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa.

42/ Kori bustard

Birds to see on safari: Kori Bustard, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The kori bustard is the world’s heaviest flying bird – males can weigh up to 20 kilos and reach about 1.5 metres tall, while females are about half the size.

But although they can fly, they usually live on the ground and only take to the skies in cases of extreme danger. Kori bustards are omnivorous, eating mainly insects, small mammals, lizards, seeds and berries.

Male kori bustards mate with several females. Mating lasts only a few seconds and as soon as it’s over the male starts trying to attract another female. He’s also not involved at all in making the nest, incubating eggs or raising the chicks.

Top places to see kori bustards on safari

Kori bustards are found all across east and south Africa. They are most common in Kenya and Tanzania, but you can also find them in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa among others. They live in wide, open grasslands and lightly wooded savanna, so are quite easy to spot thanks to their size.

43/ Grey crowned crane

Birds to see on safari: Crested crane, Uganda

Reaching 1 metre tall, with its bright red wattle and eye-catching golden crest, the grey crowned crane is really a wonderful bird to see on your African safari. There are two subspecies: one, the crested crane, is the national bird of Uganda and appears on the country’s coat of arms alongside the kob mentioned above.  The other, the South African crowned crane, looks very similar but is only found in Southern Africa.

Crowned cranes love to dance. They have an extravagant courtship display where both males and females bow, jump, and flap their huge wings, but don’t worry if you’re not visiting during mating season – these birds put on this show all year round.

Top places to see crested cranes on safari

Since they’re the national bird of Uganda, that’s the obvious place to see them. However you can also see crested cranes in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa, where they are often found hanging out with herds of cattle which they use as cover from potential predators.

44/ Secretary bird

Birds to see on safari: Secretary bird, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

With the head of an eagle and the legs of a stork, the secretary bird is one of the most bizarre-looking birds you might see on safari. It’s said to have been given its name by 19th century Europeans, who thought that with its black knee britches and tailcoat, and its long black quills at the back of the head, it looked like an office clerk or secretary. Another theory is that the name comes from the Arabic saqr-et-tair or ‘hunter bird’.

Secretary birds are related to other birds of prey like buzzards, vultures, and kites, and are famous for their unusual hunting technique. They stamp on their prey – usually snakes, small mammals or reptiles – to stun or kill them before swallowing them whole.

Scientists measured the force and discovered the deadly blow can transfer five times the bird’s own weight in a hundredth of a second.  The secretary bird appears on the coat-of-arms of both Sudan and South Africa.

Top places to see secretary birds on safari

Secretary birds prefer flat, open grasslands and savannah, making your chances of seeing one of these birds on safari quite high. Look out for them in Tanzania’s Serengeti, the Masai Mara in Kenya, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

45/ Vulture

Griffon vulture, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Africa is home to 11 different species of vultures, so you’ll have no trouble spotting them on your safari. Vultures are famously natures scavengers and cleaners – they feed on dead animals and the remains left over by predators and they’re responsible for clearing away up to 70% of Africa’s carrion.

Some vultures may also kill sick or wounded animals, or occasionally hunt fish or reptiles. Vultures are usually white, brown or black, and many species have a bald head and neck with a ruff of feathers around the collar.

Vultures are specially adapted to life as nature’s rubbish collectors. Their strong eyesight allows them to spot dead or dying animals from the air, while a unique balance of stomach acids helps them digest rotting meat without getting sick.

Top places to see vultures on safari

Vultures can be found in every country throughout the whole of Africa.

46/ Oxpecker

Birds to see on safari: Yellow-billed oxpecker on the back of a buffalo, Tanzania

The oxpecker, also called the tick bird, rides on the backs of large mammals like buffalo, zebras and giraffes, feasting on ticks, fleas and lice. They can eat 100s of ticks a day, and when alarmed they also hiss, warning their host of approaching danger.

But this isn’t an entirely mutually beneficial relationship – oxpeckers also feed on the wounds and blood left by the ticks. There are two species of oxpecker – red-billed and yellow-billed.

Top places to see oxpeckers on safari

You’ll find oxpeckers anywhere in Africa there are large mammals for them to feast on. Look out for them taking a ride on a giraffe, buffalo, rhino or hippo – they make for great photos.

Marabou stork and black-headed ibis, Serengeti, Tanzania

And there you have it! 32 amazing African animals and birds to see on a safari. Of course there are literally hundreds more, so keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you might spot!

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

  • Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
  • Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
  • Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
  • Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
  • Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer.
  • TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
  • Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
  • GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
  • Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
  • Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
  • Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Read more African animals posts

If you enjoyed this, here are a few more wildlife posts you might like:

  • Top 34 African Birds: A Safari Photo Guide
  • 19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners
  • 28 Top Things To Do and See in Uganda
  • Behind The Scenes On Safari In Tanzania
  • Gorilla Safaris In Uganda – The Real Inside Story

Liked this African animals list?

Why not Pin It for later using the handy graphic below, or use the share buttons to share on your favourite social site. Every share helps support my blog and is very much appreciated, thank you!

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Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

Further Reading...

Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda: Is It Overhyped?

Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda: Is It Overhyped?

The 8 Types Of Penguins In Antarctica: A Photo Guide

The 8 Types Of Penguins In Antarctica: A Photo Guide

Zebras drinking from a waterhole at Leroo La Tau Botswana

Leroo La Tau In Botswana: See The Incredible Zebra Migration

Chobe safari lodge in botswana: a complete review with photos, what to wear on safari: my detailed safari packing list with photos.

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12 Top African Safari Tours

Cross this must-do activity off your bucket list.

Top African Safari elephant

Courtesy of Micato Safaris

Spot the big five on your safari adventure.

Safari tours in Africa are just as diverse as the continent itself, though these types of trips typically require a large sum of money. Whether you want to spend a few days gorilla trekking in Uganda or a couple weeks spotting the "big five" – lions, leopards, African elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalos – in South Africa, you'll find an array of tours to best suit your needs. To help you narrow down your options, U.S. News compiled a list of 12 can't-miss African safari tours. Read on to find your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Note: Some of the African countries in this article may require travelers to get an entry visa and certain vaccinations in order to visit. Jump to the list of visa and vaccination requirements by country at the bottom of this page for more information.

&Beyond

African Safari vacation

Courtesy of &Beyond

Visitors who don't want to sacrifice creature comforts while on safari will appreciate &Beyond's offerings. During the tour operator's 10-day Kings of the Jungle safari – which starts at $11,340 per person – travelers will see breathtaking natural wonders like the Ngorongoro Crater and the Maasai Mara savanna. But the highlight of this journey is its four-night stay at Tanzania's Serengeti National Park . After watching animals like wildebeest and zebras partake in the great migration while also spotting lions, giraffes and more, vacationers retreat to high-end tents and lodges with private bathrooms.

[See more of Serengeti National Park: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Wilderness Safaris

African Safari camp vacation

Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris

For some of Africa's most jaw-dropping scenery, opt for the seven-night Namibian Adventure Safari tour offered by Wilderness Safaris. This weeklong trip features visits to the Namib Desert's dune-filled Sossusvlei region (which you may recognize from the film "Mad Max: Fury Road") and the mountainous Palmwag Concession – a protected area with springboks, giraffes, black rhinos and more. The package's per person fee starts at $6,725, which covers most meals, park entrance fees, and transfers from Namibia's capital Windhoek and between the safari destinations. It also covers your stay at properties like the fully solar-powered Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and the five-star Little Kulala lodge amid the stunning desert.

Wild Rwanda Safaris

African Safari gorilla in Rwanda

Courtesy of Wild Rwanda Safaris)

Adventurous travelers sticking to a more conservative budget should consider Wild Rwanda Safaris' Bwindi Gorilla Safari. The three-day package features a full day in southwestern Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a haven for silverback gorillas) and an adjacent Batwa Pygmy community. Wild Rwanda Safaris allows guests to choose between midrange, luxury and super luxury accommodation, which can help keep costs down if necessary. The company's packages include the $700 permit required to visit the gorilla park. The round-trip journey by safari vehicle to and from Kigali, Rwanda, and English-speaking guide services are also covered in all rates. The tour can begin from Kampala, Uganda, as well, although you'll spend longer on the road to the park.

Nomad Tanzania

African Safari in Tanzania

Courtesy of nomad-tanzania.com

Sign up for Nomad Tanzania's Southern Tanzania safari and you're bound to get an up-close look at Tanzania's diverse wildlife. Offering eight days of activities, including game drives and boat trips in Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park, this safari gives you prime opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards and elephants, among other species. What's more, lodging at the company's campsites, select meals, and flights to and from Dar es Salaam are factored into the package's prices. Expect to pay a minimum of $5,700 per person; prices vary depending on the time of year, and the tour isn't offered in April and May.

Micato Safaris

(Courtesy of Micato Safaris)

If you want to explore multiple destinations while on safari with plenty of comfort (but a price tag to match), book the 15-day Micato Grand Safari. This outing by Micato Safaris starts with a two-day visit to Nairobi, Kenya, before continuing to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Maasai Mara National Reserve, and the Amboseli and Serengeti national parks for wildlife-viewing excursions. During your trip, you'll see Mount Kilimanjaro as zebras, gazelles and more roam in the foreground. The package costs at least $22,450 per person (based on double occupancy rates) and includes a hot air balloon ride, a camel tour led by members of the Samburu tribe, and lodging at upscale properties like Serengeti's Four Seasons outpost. The company also offers various extensions allowing you to explore other parts of Africa, from the island paradise of Zanzibar to the deserts of Namibia.

Rothschild Safaris

African safari vacation

Courtesy of Rothschild Safaris

If your ideal safari vacation consists of customizing your trip from start to finish, consider an outing with Rothschild Safaris. The company offers itineraries in locales like Zambia and Madagascar , but if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the big five animals, the Essence of Tanzania safari is a good bet. This nine-day experience, which embarks from Arusha and returns there by plane, includes game-viewing drives in Tarangire National Park and accommodations like canvas tents and farmhouse lodges. Elephants, zebras and lions are just some of the animals you may spot during your journey. You'll also have the opportunity to go on a nighttime safari to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Lion World Travel

African safari vacation

Courtesy of Lion World Travel

As the trip name implies, Lion World Travel's 10-day Best of Cape Town & Botswana vacation package combines sightseeing in Cape Town, South Africa , with a classic safari in Botswana. During the latter half of the itinerary, visitors will explore Botswana's Okavango Delta (home to cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos and more) and Chobe National Park, which is believed to have Africa's largest elephant population. Prices start at $4,299 per person and cover game drives; many of your meals; and stays at luxury hotels, camps and lodges. You'll need to pay an extra charge for the flights within the tour (Cape Town to Botswana as well as Botswana to Johannesburg ).

[See more of Cape Town: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Bearded Heron Safaris

African safari vacation

Neil Heron | Courtesy of Bearded Heron Safaris

Travelers keen on seeing South Africa's Kruger National Park through the eyes of a local naturalist will appreciate the 15-day safari with Bearded Heron Safaris. Led by Neil Heron, a nature guide and wildlife photographer and writer, Bearded Heron Safaris' longest option features small game drives that may include lion, rhino, zebra and leopard sightings throughout all corners of Kruger. Rates are inclusive of in-park cottage accommodations and all breakfasts, dinners, snacks and drinks. Flights and park fees are not included. For a 15-day safari, expect to pay 76,900 South African rand (about $4,500) per person.

[See more of Kruger National Park: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos ]

Discover Africa

Black rhinoceros in the african savannah

Getty Images

For an inside-out trip through the natural wonders of Botswana, Discover Africa's nine-day Epic Botswana Adventure is a formidable option. You'll start out at a riverside lodge on the Chobe River – a great location for elephant spotting – before moving onto the marshy Okavango Delta, a wildlife-rich area where you can spot a huge range of animals from leopards to rhinos. The safari ends at the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a good place to admire wildlife like zebras and buffalo on the savanna as well as salt pans from a former lake. You'll stay in upscale lodges and campsites within close reach of the wilderness. All meals and transport along the tour are included in the price tag (which starts at $4,800 per person), but international flights are excluded.

Wild Wings Safaris

images of african safari

If you're looking to have a broader experience that mixes in some history and beach time, consider Wild Wings Safaris' eight-day Battlefields, Bush and Beach Safari. You'll start off visiting some of South Africa's historic sites from the Boer wars, before moving on to the Phinda Private Game Reserve, which doesn't allow day visitors, so you should be able to look out for the big five without too many crowds. The tour wraps up at Thonga Beach Lodge, where you can snorkel or scuba dive near coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. As far as safaris go, this one is an affordable option, starting at about $2,795 per person with all meals included as well as a rental car; for the cheapest price, you will need to drive yourself between the destinations, but it's possible to pay an additional fee for a driver to guide you instead.

Cuckoo Safaris

Aerial few of the world famous Victoria Falls with a large rainbow over the falls. This is right at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. The mighty Victoria Falls at Zambezi river are one of the most visited touristic places in Africa.

This tour company kicks off its tours from the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with a host of safaris that range from two days to nine, across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, including some family-friendly choices. For an affordable option, there's the four-day Discover Victoria Falls, Chobe and Hwange Park safari, which will take you on two full-day tours to Chobe National Park (across the border in Botswana) and to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park, where you should keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants and more. This safari also includes a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The price starts at $900 per person, which includes the tours plus breakfast, lunch and lodging in Victoria Falls; travelers will need to pay for entrance fees to the parks and dinner.

Compass Odyssey

images of african safari

Courtesy of Compass Odyssey

Explore the savanna and deserts of southwest Africa with Compass Odyssey's eight-day Namibia Wildlife Safari. You'll visit a community-based conservation area in Damaraland – known for its desert-adapted elephants, oryx, giraffes and other wildlife – while staying in the rustic-chic Doro Nawas Camp. You'll also spend two days in Etosha National Park, seeking wildlife at the park's bustling waterholes by day and embarking on an evening game drive as well. Starting at $3,750 per person, the tour includes most meals and all park entry fees, but not flights; the company does allow the tour to be customized on request.

Vaccination and visa requirements for African countries

Some popular safari destinations may require you to have received certain vaccinations in order to enter the country as a tourist. Inoculation requirements can include vaccination against COVID-19 and yellow fever, and you'll need to get these vaccines before departing on your trip. Be sure to bring proof of vaccinations with you. If you are transiting through another country en route to your safari tour, you must check that you also meet immunization requirements for the stopover location.

Note that, outside of what's required, there are a number of other vaccinations that are recommended, so ensure you're up to date and fully protected before you travel. In addition, many safari locations are prone to malaria; you should consult with your doctor to see if you need to bring anti-malaria medication on your trip.

Safari countries have varying visa requirements for travelers from the U.S. – these are detailed below. Depending on your itinerary, you may need a single- or multiple-entry visa, and some visas require you to apply in advance of traveling and/or have a certain number of blank pages in your passport. Regardless of your destination, your passport should be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip.

Here are the vaccine and visa requirements for major safari destinations as of November 2022:

Botswana: If you have recently visited a country where yellow fever is common, you will need to be vaccinated against this illness. This does not include the U.S. but does include a number of countries in Africa, Central and South America. Consult the World Health Organization's website for a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Kenya and Uganda.

U.S. citizens and nationals can stay in Botswana for 90 days without a visa.

Kenya: Travelers to Kenya must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the last shot administered more than 14 days before arrival in the country. Unvaccinated visitors can enter with a negative PCR test, conducted no more than 72 hours before departure. Proof of COVID-19 tests or vaccines must be uploaded to an online system called Panabios. Kenya is a country where you'll be at risk of yellow fever transmission; it also requires those traveling from other places with yellow fever or cholera outbreaks to be vaccinated against these illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you protect yourself against yellow fever before your trip here.

Americans need an e-visa to enter Kenya. You should apply online at the eVisa government website no more than eight weeks before your trip, as visas are not available upon arrival in Kenya. See more on the U.S. Department of State's website .

Namibia: Those traveling from a country where yellow fever is common need to be vaccinated against it. No visa is required as long as you're staying for 90 days or less.

Rwanda: If you're coming from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a yellow fever vaccination is required before departure.

U.S. citizens and nationals can be issued a 30-day visitor visa on arrival in Rwanda or through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. A single-entry visa costs $50, and it's recommended you bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for this (although credit card payment may be accepted at Kigali International Airport). Consult the State Department website for more information.

South Africa: A yellow fever vaccination is required if you're traveling from a country with a risk of transmission. No visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.

Tanzania: Travelers must be able to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with a QR code to enter Tanzania. Unvaccinated travelers must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure, and the test results should be accessible by QR code. Yellow fever vaccines are mandatory if you're traveling from a location where yellow fever is present – including if you spend more than 12 hours in transit in such a country.

Visas are required for tourism in Tanzania. You can apply for a single-entry, 90-day visa online for $50 – and be sure to print a copy of the approval to bring with you. The processing period takes up to 10 days. You can also obtain a visa on arrival for a $100 fee; it's recommended you bring cash to cover this. Find more Tanzanian visa information on the State Department website .

Uganda: To enter Uganda, you must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or present a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. Like Kenya, Uganda is a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All visitors must show proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter Uganda, regardless of where you're traveling from.

American visitors to Uganda must apply online for an electronic visa before departure; arriving in Uganda without completing this process could result in your detainment. Visit the State Department website to learn more.

Zambia: Visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must show proof of vaccination but do not need a test to enter Zambia; unvaccinated travelers must undergo a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Yellow fever vaccines are only required if you're coming from an area considered at risk.

Visas are required to visit Zambia, but these can be obtained online before your departure or at a port of entry. Check the State Department website for more details.

Zimbabwe: To enter Zimbabwe, travelers must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or must take a negative PCR test no more than 48 hours before your departure. As with other countries on this list, visitors from countries with yellow fever outbreaks also require a vaccine against this illness.

U.S. visitors can obtain a 30-day, single-entry visa upon arrival in Zimbabwe for $30. If you're taking a tour that requires you to leave and reenter Zimbabwe, be sure to get a double-entry visa for $45. You can learn more from the State Department website .

You might also be interested in:

  • The Top Passport Wallets (That Also Hold Vaccine Cards)
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  • The Best International Travel Insurance Plans
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World's Best Places To Visit

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African Animals – Incredible moments on Safari

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 8, 2024

Going on a safari in Africa is one of the most thrilling adventures in the world. There is nothing more exciting than seeing African animals roaming free on the great plains. We have been on safari in South Africa, Kenya , Tanzania , Namibia, and Botswana. We are truly lucky people.

Table of Contents

African Safari Animals in Photos

Our first time in Africa was in 2008 when we cycled from Cairo to Cape Town. Our trip took us from the north through Sub-Saharan Africa all the way to the southern tip of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. We saw a lot of wildlife on that six-month trip alone and since then, we’ve gone back four times. These are our favorite moments of coming face-to-face with African animals.

It wasn’t until going on at least three safaris that we actually saw a proper pride of lions. It was while touring Tanzania with Go Ahead Tours that we had our most outstanding lion encounters. One that sticks out is while on a game drive in the Serengeti.

Lion Chasing Lioness

We watched three male lions try to court a female as a herd of elephants kept chasing them away. It was incredible to see how the lions kept watch on the elephants who drove them away whenever they came to close, yet never took their eyes off the female prize.

Lioness And Her Cubs

This memorable moment consisted of 13 cubs following one lone female lion. Our guide George told us that there were probably three other adult female lions lurking in the grass, but the cubs were following her – the Alpha. As they followed along, this little guy broke away from the pack charging at his mom. He brought her down, nipping at her throat and belly before climbing on her back to tell the rest of the cubs to come on down!

Watch our Wildlife on Safari in the Serengeti Video

Watch all the videos above and at about 1:50 into the video, you’ll see the lion cubs playing with mom.

You can see lions all over Africa: Some of the best places we spotted them were in the Serengeti in Tanzania, Kenya’s Masai Mara, a South African Game Reserve, and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Lake Manyara is the place to see lions sleeping in trees. We also saw them in the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Lion And Elephant Fighting For Space

We all thought that lions are the kings of Africa, but if elephants are mad at you, you’re in trouble no matter who you are. T his lion and his brothers were way too close to a herd of elephants and their calves. The elephants were having no part of that and a group of big males split off to chase the lions away.

One of the best places to see elephants in Africa is in Amboseli National Park where there is a huge concentration of elephants. Plus, you get a great view of Mount Kilimanjaro. But we also saw elephants in all the usual places in Africa as well including the Serengeti, South Africa, Addo Elephant Nature Park in South Africa, plus Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia.

Leopard in Tree

Leopards seem to be the most elusive animals in Africa. We had waited for days to find a leopard when on safari and we finally heard that one was sitting in a tree at the end of our trip to the Masai Mara in Kenya. We joined the line of safari trucks sitting around the tree to spy on her, but she never showed her face. It wasn’t until everyone left that we waited patiently by ourselves. Sure enough, when the commotion died down, she lifted her head from the branch and looked right at us. It was a breathtaking moment.

Leopard Jumping Into A Tree

Seeing a leopard in Africa is a rare and beautiful thing. Seeing a leopard jump onto a tree and continue to climb it is nearly impossible! It was the end of a long day of our final day in the Serengeti in Tanzania and we knew a leopard had been hanging out in a tree for a couple of days. We never got a great view until driving back to the lodge near sunset. On our way back to the lodge, Dave asked our guide George if we could swing by the leopard tree to see if she had moved. Sure enough, we caught her walking from one tree to another and snapped this shot just as she leaped to her perch.

Three Rhinoceros – The Whole Family

Getting to see a rhinoceros in Africa is rare indeed. They are the most critically endangered famous species of animal in Africa. Sadly, the  Northern White Rhino went extinct in 2019 and the Western Black Rhino went extinct over a decade ago. Why do people think that the fibers from a rhino’s tusk are healing or an aphrodisiac? Leave them, alone people!

Cheetah And Her Cub

One of our favorite moments seeing African safari animals came while leaving Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. We were on our way to the next stop with our safari vehicle’s roofs and windows closed but our guides spotted this cheetah on the hunt with her cub. A herd of gazelles was grazing nearby and she was keeping an eye on them. At one point they made a move to chase one and it seemed like the perfect moment. But the baby jumped the gun bounding ahead giving the gazelle ample warning to getaway.

Keeping Watch Before The Next Hunt

Not to worry though, the mother quickly forgave her child and they cuddled up waiting for the next set of prey to walk by. The cheetah and her cub eye a pack of gazelles. Will they get a kill on the second try? I sure hope so. Mom has a lot of patience, so I think she’ll teach this little fellow how to hunt in no time.

Cheetah In The Grass

Spotting cheetahs on an African safari can be tricky business. Cheetahs are one of the more elusive African animals to see. Our first two safaris we never saw on Cheetah! It was when visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya that we encountered our first cheetah walking through the grass. We followed her for a while in awe. Cheetahs are difficult to spot because they hide well in the long grass, but this beauty was sitting poised and ready as we approached in our trucks.

Baby African Elephants Playing

Seeing baby elephants will melt your heart. When we happened upon a herd of elephants filled with frisky baby elephants, we had one of our most breathtaking Subsaharan animal encounters. Watching the family unite work together and protect their young filled me with joy. Seeing the baby elephants play and show off made me giggle. They are the most adorable creatures and I cannot believe that people have hunted them to the point of being critically endangered.

African Elephant On The Way To The Watering Hole

I cannot get over how quickly elephants cover vast amounts of land. They seem like they are moving in slow motion, but as you sit and watch them approach from the far distance, they are near you within minutes. We watched a herd of elephants walking to a watering hole while on safari in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, all the wildlife seemed to be walking to one place. Processions of elephants, zebras, and impalas were all walking in long lines towards the watering hole. This was the perfect African safari scene and what I think of when I dream of Africa.

The Lone Bull Elephant

When male elephants are too old to be a part of the herd (or when male elephants grow out of their adolescence) they are sent off on their own to either find another herd or spend the rest of their days in solitude. This giant elephant was definitely an old man and he took notice when our safari jeep came near.

While watching this bull elephant from the safety of our truck, he suddenly charged. Elephants are the most unpredictable animals when on safari (in our opinion). They look so relaxed one minute, but they can quickly turn the next. We were enjoying a quiet moment, but the truck next to us suddenly laughed loudly. This guy didn’t like that at all and charged at our truck. Luckily it was just a warning.

Giraffes On Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara is one of the most interesting places to see African safari animals. It’s one thing to see giraffes on the Serengeti, but to see them standing on the beach with water reflecting their long necks is mesmerizing. We counted 18 giraffes standing like statues on the shores of Lake Manyara; an alkaline lake known for its flamingoes and baboon population. It’s not an easy life for the “Ladies of the Serengeti.”

Sadly, we have heard that giraffes are quickly becoming critically endangered in silence. We can believe it, we have always had a difficult time seeing giraffes on an African safari. Other than at Lake Manyara, we have only seen the odd one or pair on our outings.

Necking Giraffes

When you are lucky enough to spot giraffes in Africa, make sure to stop to watch them. They are the most elegant of creatures. Watching giraffes intertwine their long necks while swaying back and forth is like watching a ballet. They swing from side to side in perfect unison coming together for a few moments before beginning the dance again. The movements mesmerize you into a trance as you watch the moment unfold.

You can watch it in our video: The Best Things to do in Tanzania

If you love African animals you will love visiting Tanzania. There are so many animal encounters to be had here. Our video above also highlights all of the other things you can do in Tanzania.

Black Rhino

Lake Nakuru is home to one of the largest number of black rhinos in Africa. This sanctuary is under strict guard keeping an eye for poachers and is one of the best places in Africa to see rhinos. More than 100 rhinos inhabit Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya with several different species of rhino living under protection. You’ll find black rhinos and white rhinos in Lake Nakuru.

Yawning Hippos

Hippos are pretty boring to watch. Most of the time they lay in pools of water with only their nostrils and ears sticking out. However, don’t take that mellow feeling for granted, the hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They kill more people than lions or elephants. They may be herbivores but just look at those giant mouths. They are very territorial and fiercely defend their area. Hippos all pack together protecting one another from the sun as they stay covered in mud. But every once in a while a hippo yawns and it’s the most exciting moment of the day!

I must admit, the warthog is my favorite African animal. Honestly! they are so odd-looking they’re cute! They also never stop. It’s very difficult to get a photo of a warthog because they never stop moving. They are always scurrying about looking terrified that they are going to be eaten any second. I am always rooting for the warthog to survive. There are two species of warthogs found in Africa and they are related to the pig family. I can see the resemblance, they definitely look like a wild boar.

Flamingoes are found on the salt lakes of African nations. One of the best places to see them is Lake Manyara in Tanzania. We also had an incredible view of flamingoes in Lake Nakuru in Kenya. You will not only see flamingoes at these lakes, but also storks, cranes, pelicans, and eagles all flying and floating on an incredible lake surrounded by rolling hills.

Flamingo Reflections

Did we tell you we were excited about the flamingoes? We love this reflection. It literally looks like the flamingo is checking out its reflection. Lake Manyara that we finally saw the thousands of different species of birds and flamingoes gracing its coast.

Flamingos Flying

Okay, one more flamingo photo before we move on. It was spectacular to see flamingoes take flight. Did we mention we were really excited about the flamingos of Lake Manyara and Lake Nakuru?

Morning Light On A Hyena

The poor hyena isn’t the most famous of African safari animals, but seeing one is pretty rare. I think they are cute. Just because they are scavengers doesn’t mean they aren’t fierce. When cycling Africa we often had hyenas circling our camp. We didn’t stray too far from our circle at night with these guys hanging around.

There are two species of ostrich in Africa. The common ostrich and the Somali ostrich. Contrary to popular belief, the Ostrich isn’t the world’s largest bird, which belongs to the albatross. However, they are the largest flightless bird in Africa and they lay the largest eggs of any living land animal. Want some more ostrich facts? They are also the fastest birds on land and can run up to a whopping 70 km/h (43.5 mph)

African Crocodile

While cycling Africa, we camped along the Nile and I must admit, I was terrified of an encounter with a Nile Crocodile. Luckily we never encountered one while camping, but we did see them when on safari.

The Nile crocodile is the largest reptile in Africa and they are pretty dangerous too. They kill more people than lions as they lurk in shallow waters on river banks. We were silly enough to go kayaking with crocodiles in South Africa. What were we thinkings? Check it out to see.

Cape Buffalo (African Buffalo)

The African buffalo is one of the big 5 African animals. The Big five were named so because back in the day, hunters shot these beautiful creatures for their trophy heads. The big 5 are buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion, and leopards. (we remember it by using the acronym BRELL) Sadly, many species of animals in Africa are critically endangered today because of hunting. I have an idea, let’s shoot them with our camera lens instead of with a gun.

Plains Zebras

One of the most common animals you’ll see in Africa is the Plains Zebra. We saw a lot of zebras in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa. We even went horseback riding with zebras on a safari in South Africa. Our horses were surrounded by wildebeest and zebras and I could feel that the horses wanted to join in the run. When you see them up close, they look as if they’ve been painted with thick chalky makeup.

We saw quite a few hartebeests on safari in Africa. This large African antelope was often hanging out with zebras and gazelles. Their face totally looks like an elongated heart. Sadly, like many African animals, the hartebeest numbers are declining due to human encroachment, hunting and habitat destruction.

Another African antelope is the Impala. Impalas are graceful and beautiful antelopes that I always thought were gazelles. They are fast and can actually run up to 60 km per hour. (37 miles). Only male impalas have horns.

Many people know of the wildebeest because of the famous wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya. It has always been our dream to see the millions of wildebeest cross the African plains. We haven’t been to Africa for the migration, but we have seen many wildebeests. Wildebeests are also calle a gnu. Believe it or not, they are also part of the antelope family.

Another member of the African antelope family is the Springbok.

I started to really fall in love with the zebras of Africa. If you look closely at the picture above, you’ll see a little bird on this foal’s back. Read more: iSimangaliso Wetlands – Horse Safari

A Chillin’ Baboon

Sitting atop this termite mount, a baboon looks like royalty. A group of elephants had just left the area and this baboon wasted no time jumping on top this mound after they left. You could tell that he was itching to get his spot back.

Sikes Monkey

The Sikes monkey was named after Colonel William Henry Sykes an English naturalist from the 1800s. It’s known for its white throat and we saw this handsome devil in Kenya.

Vervet Monkey

Vervet Monkeys are so cute and are found around lakes and streams in acacia forests and woodlands. We saw this little fellow at Lake Nakuru in Kenya. We also saw a lot of monkeys at Mayanara in Tanzania.

Colourful Birds Of Africa

Dave and I are normally not into bird watching, but our safari mates in our truck were very big birders. Their excitement over birds was contagious and by the end of the trip, I started to know the names of the birds of Africa like this colorful cutie the Lilac Breasted Roller.

Penguins of South Africa

Did you know that southern Africa has penguins? It does! The penguins of South Africa can be found just south of Cape Town near Simon’s town. There is a colony that swims in the cool waters of Southern Africa and they are adorable to see.

If you make your way out to Boulders Bay Beach, you’ll see a colony of cute African penguins frolicking in the sand on the beach

I was very excited to see a stork in Africa. When we were cycling through Ethiopia we saw a lot of them. When I was young I thought storks were made-up birds because people always said that a baby was brought in by a stork. However, they are real! There are 8 species of storks in Africa. We saw them in The Rift Valley, in South Africa near St. Lucia, at lakes in Tanzania, and in Kenya.

At first, we weren’t too excited about the bird species in Africa, but then on one of our safaris in Tanzania, a truck mate was a full-on bird watcher. She pointed out birds for us to see and we started getting excited whenever we saw a new species. I can see why birding is so popular!

A Late Evening Yawn

The sun was setting and this lion knew it. Almost time for a nap and time for us to head back to the lodge. This was on safari in South Africa at Kariega Game Reserve on the Garden Route.

Lion Looking At Me Licking its Chops

This is the brother of our first lion photograph in the Serengeti. He walked so close to our truck that George told us to get our hands inside. He was licking his chops, so you knew he was ready for lunch!

Lioness On A Rock

One of our favorite African animal encounters was certainly seeing this female lion perched on Lion King Rock. When entering the Serengeti, the first thing we spotted was this lioness relaxing on a rock beside the famous Lion King Rock. And this scene was fitting. This is exactly what we expected to see on the African savanna and the moment didn’t disappoint.

Watch the Big 5 of Africa in Kenya

We can’t wait to go back to Africa to go on more safaris. We haven’t seen the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, Uganda, or the Congo yet and we still have yet to see the Chimpanzees at Jane Goodalls sanctuary. But isn’t that what makes travel exciting. We are always adding more encounters and adventures to our list!

More African Animals in Photos

Lions napping in a tree.

I’ve always wanted to see lions sleeping in trees. It was a first for us on our Tanzania safari. Lake Manyara claims to be famous for sleeping lions, but we saw lions sleeping in trees in the Ngorongoro Crater and here at Tarangire National Park. Aren’t they beautiful?

Lioness With Her Kill

Watching this female lion carry her recent kill along the African savanna showed just how harsh conditions are for animals. She may have caught dinner but getting it back to her cubs took a lot of hard work. She walked for a few minutes and then dropped the gazelle taking heavy breathes as she caught her breath.

All the while she had to keep an eye out for other predators that could challenge her to take her kill. At one point she saw a lone gazelle and dropped her kill to try for another. It managed to outrun her, but she exerted a lot of energy. I wonder how she would have carried two kills at a time?

Cheetah Cub

When visiting the Masai Mara in Kenya, we only saw one cheetah our entire safari. While on safari in Tanzania, we saw half a dozen cheetahs including moms, cubs, and this adolescent.

At the game reserves in South Africa, they cut off the rhino’s horn so that poachers don’t kill them for it. It is sad to see that this needs to be done, but at least it keeps them safe. I don’t think these two felt too bad about it, they seem to be enjoying life pretty well!

Male Lion In The Ngorongoro Crater

We didn’t expect to see male lions at the Ngorongoro Crater but sure enough, after spending time watching the wildebeest and zebras, we came across two male lions walking steadily to find some shade. We followed them for a bit before they changed course towards a very big and shady baobab tree.

Staring Into The Breeze

Something tells me this lion smells tonight’s dinner.

Close Up Of A Giraffe

Giraffes have a strange mix of being beautiful and dopy looking at the same time. This captures the beauty of the giraffe.

A Lioness and Her Cubs

Being on an African safari in August lets you see all the cubs at their cutest. It seemed that every turn in the Serengeti found us at another squad of cubs with mother.

Watch our Safari Tips for Tanzania

Africa is close to our hearts and we were so excited to finally go on Safari in Tanzania. We’ve been fortunate enough to safari in Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.

  • On Safari in Tanzania
  • The Maasai Tribe Visit – What it’s Really Like
  • Kenya Safari – The Masai Mara Experience
  • What to Wear on Safari 
  • Best Things to do in South Africa

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10 thoughts on “African Animals – Incredible moments on Safari”

This is one of the best travel gallery I have ever seen. How I wish you could also visit my country Uganda and share such amazing wildlife photography. Very impressive!!

Tanzania is truly the East African wildlife capital if not African. The photos in this article says it all. The blog is also as amazing.

You’ve really captured the essence of an African safari in these photos. Really wonderful shots. I will never forget my safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater a few years back. I even got to see a black rhino which was a highlight. It is one of those things that I could keep going back to do more and more and never get sick of it. It is an incredible thing to see these animals in the wild.

Wow. Such amazing photos. We visited the Ngorogoro Crater a while back and the diversity of animal wildlife was absolutely stunning. It’s also a quick hop over the border to Kenya where it’s Masai Mara territory. One of our favourite places to visit was a real Masai village. Stunning.

Superb pictures. Totally inspiring. We cannot wait to go to Tanzania (probably 2019). It is so good to see these amazing creatures thriving. Thanks for sharing.

Julie | 2checkingout

Wow…these animals seemed to leap right off of my screen and into my office. Thanks for showing these beautiful and amazing photos!

Excellent photos. Just as you have said, it makes me want to visit Tanzania! What a great nature, and what a great place!

I went gaga watching the pics in your Issyk Kul Lake post. Imagine my state right now… I am like – screw everything and fly to Tanzania. Stunning pics guys! Really drew me to the moment. The lion cubs playing with the alpha was the best one. Loved every pic. Cheers.

WOW, THESE IMAGES ARE STUNNING!! My husband and I are planning a safari trip next year to Africa with a Luxury Travel company called BerkeleyTravel.co.uk – I cannot wait to try and take some pictures like this. Thanks for making me realise there is hope yet!

These are beautifully captured… your photographs are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing them.

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30 African Safari Animals You Need To See (With Pictures)

Amazing African Safari Animals You Need To See (With Pictures)

Africa’s natural beauty is unmatched, luring you to gaze at the passive stride of a lioness that you forget to breathe and marvel at a giraffe’s tripod bent to water.

The continent’s jungles, savannahs, forests, and other natural habitats contain mysteries that even a wise man cannot understand.

Therefore, seeing one-tenth of these African animals would bring about an incredible safari escapade.

It would be impossible to find all of Africa’s wildlife species, prompting us to compile a list of thirty African safari animals you need to see, including lions, elephants, zebras, and antelopes, among others.

Each animal we will consider has its scientific name, geographical range, conservation status, and photo highlighted, with a description that features the best places to find them.

So come along with us as we explore the beautiful world of these animals you can see on an African safari.

African Safari Animals You Should See

Male Lion (Panthera leo)

  • Scientists Name: Panthera Leo
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Lions are endemic to Africa, occluding in savannahs, scrublands, grasslands, grassy plains, open woodlands with bushes, and bordering rivers.

Between 300 and 1,500 mm of annual rainfall, Savannahs constitute most African lion habitats.

Some populations reside in West African tropical moist forests and montane forests.

Sadly, Africa’s lion population has declined substantially by fifty percent in only twenty years. 1

However, one can still find lions in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Leopard (Panthera pandus)

  • Scientific Name: Panthera pardus
  • Conservation Status: Not Extinct 

The leopard resides across sub-Saharan Africa and is aboriginal to many African nations.

These spotted cats inhabit the Cape Provinces of South Africa, Somalia, Ethiopia, and West Africa, occurring in mountainous forests, grasslands, and savannahs.

Leopards are among Africa’s “Big Five” safari, attracting many tourists; Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and South Africa’s Sabi Sands Game Reserve are some of the most prominent leopard centers in the continent.

The Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded leopard sightings as the animals drink the park’s thermal waters.

3. Elephant

African Elephant (Loxodonta)

  • Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana
  • Conservation Status: Endangered 

African elephants are considered endangered by the IUCN; still, they are indigenous to the continent, inhabiting the Sub-Saharan arid regions and Sahelian scrub.

They also reside in the continent’s jungles in tropical rainforests, mopane, and miombo woodlands.

African elephants primarily have populations in Central Africa.

Still, they exist in the Chobe National Park in Botswana, the Amboseli National Park in Kenya, East Africa, and the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa.

Also See: List of Animals with Big Heads (with Pictures)

4. Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidae)

  • Scientific Name: Rhinoceros
  • Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

The black rhino species is endemic to Africa, living in its eastern and southern regions.

Rhino populations inhabited eleven countries, but most wild rhinos today, from the estimated six thousand, occupy only four countries — Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, and Kenya.

They roam the open savannahs and grasslands and naturally exist in Etosha National Park, Namibia, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda, Nairobi National Park, Kenya, and Kruger South Africa.

Black rhinos have a size worthy of making them major African wildlife, growing up to 5.2 feet, and weighing 1,760 to 3,080 pounds.

African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Wild

  • Scientific Name: Syncerus caffer
  • Conservation Status: Near Threatened 

Various species of the African buffalo occupy every part of the continent. The Cape buffalo inhabits Southern and East Africa, while the forest buffalo occurs in Central and West Africa.

These species are enormous, measuring up to 5.6 feet in shoulder height and weighing up to 1,900 lb.

They live in savannahs, swamps, mopane grasslands, and densely covered habitats.

Some wildlife parks include Masai Mara National Park in Kenya, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. 

6. Hartebeest

  • Scientific Name: Alcelaphus buselaphus
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern

The hartebeest is an antelope species native to the black continent.

It is a large-sized species with a prominent hump, a large chest, and a long face that distinguishes it from other antelope species.

Hartebeests are primarily grazers, with grasses making their menu, but they mostly occupy wooded grasslands, dry savannas, and open plains in Central, West, southern, and southeast Africa.

The hartebeest roams in their natural habitats in the Kruger and Bontebok National Parks in South Africa, Etosha National Park in Namibia, and Camp Linyanti in Botswana. 

Bongo Antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus) Walking in Nature

  • Scientific name: Tragelaphus eurycerus

The bongo is another antelope species native to African jungles, with white-yellow stripes and black-and-white markings on its reddish-brown coat.

Bongos exist in tropical forest mosaics with dense undergrowth around West and Central Africa.

The Aberdare National park in Kenya is one major spot to find the bongo.

Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Grazing in Nature

  • Scientific name: Okapia johnstoni
  • Conservation Status: Endangered

The okapi, a zebra look-alike, is the only extant member of the Giraffidae family along with the giraffe.

However, the okapi is not as tall as a giraffe, measuring only four feet and eleven inches.

It occupies canopy forests but is essentially solitary, with wildlife populations in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Ituri Rainforest, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

9. African Wild Dog

African Wild Dog Standing on Road

  • Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus

The African wild dog is a threatened species now mostly located in the southeast of Africa, with only over 6,000 individuals left. 2

These wild dogs primarily inhabit Africa’s savannas and dry regions, preying mainly on antelopes.

African wild dogs have a strong sense of socialization to form packs of about thirty dogs.

The best places to find the African wild dog include woodlands, scrublands, and mountains, and they are open to the public in their natural habitats in:

  • Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa
  • Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe
  • Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana
  • Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania
  • South Luangwa National Park in Zambia

Also See: Different Types Of Wild Dogs (Species List With Pictures)

Hyena (Hyaenidae) in the Wild in Botswana

  • Scientific Name: Hyaenidae

Hyenas occupy Africa’s savannas, sub-desserts, grasslands, forest edges, and woodlands and hold an apex position on the food chain.

Hyenas control prey populations and prevent the spread of diseases, primarily by consuming animal remains that could rot and cause diseases.

They have unparalleled bone-crushing abilities, helping them fight off potential competitors. 3

Hyenas may not be among the most beautiful animals, but they attract visitors around Kruger National Park and Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa. 

11. Wildebeest

  • Scientific Name: Connochaetes taurinus

The antelope’s imposing appearance is why the Afrikaans named it the wildebeest.

However, it is never too fearsome to the African wild cats, wild dogs, and hyenas that constantly prey on it.

Wildebeests are among the jungle animals in southern Africa that also occupy grassy plains and open woodlands that support their grazing routine in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are some of the best places to watch the wildebeest.

12. Warthog

Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)

  • Scientific Name: Phacochoerus africanus

The common warthog is a plump, hooved wild pig with little fur, a mane through the spine to the middle of its back, and upper tusks that protrude upwards from the mouth.

Warthogs, commonly called Pumba by many safari guides, are among Africa’s highly-watched safari animals.

They reside in grasslands, savannas, and woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa, across western, eastern, central, and southern Africa.

The Kruger National Park, South Africa, and Meru National Park, central Kenya, are famed for housing the warthog. 

13. Vulture

Griffon Vulture in North Africa

  • Scientific Name: Accipitridae (Old World vultures); Cathartidae (New World vultures) 

About eleven vulture species from the Accipitridae and Cathartidae families reside in Africa, popular among many as a scavenger and keystone species in most of the continent’s ecosystem.

Sadly, about seven of eleven African vulture species are critically endangered, with West Africa losing about ninety percent of the native White-backed vulture. 4

However, vultures spread across the black continent in west, north, east, central, and southern African cliffs and tall trees.

The Kruger National Park in South Africa and Comoé National Park have vultures, and one might be fortunate to find one while visiting.

Also See: African Birds: 30 Amazing Safari Bird Species, With Pictures

14. Marabou Stork

Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

  • Scientific Name: Leptoptilos crumenifer

While most storks are beautiful, the marabou stork has a reputation for horror due to its black cloak, large, fleshy pouch, and featherless features.

However, even the world’s most unattractive creatures attract large fanbases, explaining why the marabou stork ranks among Africa’s safari animals you should see.

Marabou storks are also large birds, reaching four feet, eleven inches in height, and 6.5 feet in wingspan length.

The IUCN ranks these birds as ‘Least Concern,’ with a stable population to support their evaluation.

Therefore, one can find the marabou stork in the west, east, central, and southern Africa.

One can find the marabou stork in Ben Lavin Nature Reserve and the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary in South Africa. 

  • Scientific name: Beatragus hunteri

The hirola is the world’s rarest antelope, native to Kenya and southwest Somalia.

White spectacles around its eyes, a white tail through to the hocks, and lyre-shaped horns are distinctive features that distinguish the hirola from other antelope species.

The hirola occupies parched environments with relatively low annual rainfall.

However, it is a primary grazer, enjoying grasses with more leaves than stems. Hirola populations exist in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.

16. Giraffe

Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis)

  • Scientific Name: Giraffa camelopardalis
  • Conservation Status: Vulnerable 

Everyone wants to watch the world’s tallest living terrestrial and largest ruminant creature.

Giraffes occupy semi-arid savannah and savannah woodlands and are highly distinguished by their extremely long necks and legs.

Some best places to find the Giraffe in its natural habitat include:

  • Africa’s Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda
  • Etosha National Park in Namibia
  • Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
  • Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
  • Kruger National Park in South Africa
  • Kouré in Niger

Also See: Amazing Long Neck Animals (List With Pictures)

Zebra (Equus quagga)

  • Scientific Name: Equus  

Three zebra species reside in Africa, but the common zebra is the most popular. They all share black-and-white striped coats, but patterns are unique to each species.

The common zebra ( Equus quagga ) occupies much of southern and eastern Africa, the mountain zebra ( Equus zebra ) in southern Africa, and the Grévy’s zebra ( Equus grevyi ) in east Africa.

Zebras are herbivores and inhabit grasslands, savannahs, shrublands, woodlands, and mountainous areas.

The best places to find Zebras in their natural habitats include:

  • Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana
  • Lewa Conservancy in Kenya
  • Klein Karoo in South Africa

18. Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) Standing on Grass with Wide Open Mouth

  • Scientific name: Hippopotamus amphibius

Hippos are famed for their round and cute appearance and a fearsome reputation for being the world’s deadliest land mammal, killing an estimated 500 people annually in Africa.

They weigh up to 2,750kg, with large tusks and speeds reaching 30 km/h. Hippos are everywhere in the black continent, occurring in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa.

The hippo’s history with man implies that encountering it in the wrong place might not end well.

However, the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks in Zambia, Okavango Delta in Botswana, and Selous in Tanzania are among the best places to view the hippopotamus.

19. Common Ostrich

Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)

  • Scientific Name: Struthio camelus

The common ostrich is the world’s largest and heaviest extant bird . However, such feats make the bird incapable of flight due to its immense weight.

However, the common ostrich makes up for its lack of light with speed, running up to forty-three kilometers per hour.

They are also impressive with using their long, powerful legs as defensive weapons.

A mature ostrich can grow to a height of nine feet and weigh up to 160 kilograms, a size worthy of ranking among African Safari animals one should see.

Many zoos feature ostriches in captivity, but the Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda and the Kruger National Park in South Africa are nice places to find the common ostrich in their natural settings. 

20. Shoebill

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) on Grass

  • Scientific Name: Balaeniceps rex

The bird’s large, striking shoe-shaped beak earns it the distinguished name. However, its enormous bill is just one of its features.

The shoebill is one of the world’s largest birds, growing up to four feet, eleven inches, thus becoming one of the five most captivating birds in Africa, according to birdwatchers.

The shoebill can be found in the Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, Kasanka National Park in Zambia, and a few wildlife centers in the continent present views of shoebill storks.

21. Leopard Tortoise

  • Scientific Name: Stigmochelys pardalis

The leopard tortoise is one of the smallest wildlife Africa’s safari offers. However, the leopard markings on its shell account for the most prominent feature.

The leopard tortoise has populations scattered across Africa’s semi-arid shrubland of the Sahara, from Sudan to the cape of South Africa.

The tortoise’s leopard markings are not its only distinctive feature, but its ability to swim is unique as it is the only Testudinidae with such an ability.

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Mountain Zebra National Park in South Africa are wonderful destinations to find the leopard tortoise. 

22. Meerkat

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta) Stands

  • Scientific Name: Suricata suricatta

Mongooses are popular for killing snakes, and here is the meerkat, an animal belonging to the same family — Herpestidae.

The meerkat is a small mongoose native to Southern Africa, inhabiting arid, open habitats containing little woody vegetation in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.

Mongooses have a distinctive banded pattern, big eye circles, thin tails, and sharp, curved foreclaws that support digging.

They dig burrows in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in South Africa.

  • Scientific Name: Tragelaphus
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern 

The kudus are two large-sized antelope species found in East and Southern Africa.

The most distinctive feature differentiating both species is size, with the greater kudu measuring over five feet and the lesser kudu within the four-foot range.

They inhabit savanna near Acacia and Commiphora shrubs, relying on thickets for protection.

Therefore, these antelopes are found in the Addo Elephant National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in South Africa, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Etosha National Park in Namibia.

View of Golden Jackal in Field

  • Scientific Name: Canis aureus

Jackals are dog relatives of the genus Canis. Three jackal species exist — black-backed, golden, and side-striped, all occurring in different parts of Africa, especially the eastern and southern countries.

The black-backed jackal inhabits savannas and wooded areas; the golden jackal occupies dry environments, including deserts, open savannas, and arid grasslands.

The side-striped jackal lives in damp savannas, marshes, bushlands, and mountains.

Visiting the Kruger National Park, Shongweni Resources Reserve, and the wildlife parks offers the intriguing sights of jackals in South Africa.

The Tsavo West National Park in Kenya, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Etosha National Park in Namibia are other nice places to find a jackal.

25. Cheetah

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Standing and Watching

  • Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus

Watching the world’s fastest land animal stalk its prey and initiate its signature high-speed chase is a dream sight to anyone willing to enjoy the untamed beauty of the African safari.

Therefore, some of the best places to watch a cheetah in your next safari escapade include:

  • Okavango Delta in Botswana
  • Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa
  • Phinda Private Game Reserve in Tanzania
  • Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda
  • Kafue National Park in Zambia
  • Scientific Name: Aepyceros melampus

The Impala is one of the most elegant antelope species, featuring a graceful stride, plush, glossy, reddish brown coat, and slender, curved horns.

While you might love to admire them, it will be more thrilling to watch them jump clear of obstacles, leaping up to ten meters long and three meters high.

Such a sight lies in the Lake Mburo National Park and Katonga Wildlife Reserve in Uganda, Kruger National Park, Hluleka Nature Reserve in South Africa, and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. 

27. Waterbuck

  • Scientific Name: Kobus ellipsiprymnus

It would help if You never get tired of seeing antelopes if you visit Africa for its safari.

The waterbuck is among the many antelope species you may find, especially if you cruise through Chobe National Park in Botswana, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Kruger National Park in South Africa, or Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya.

Waterbucks are large, robust antelopes with reddish-brown to shaggy gray coats that become darker with age.

As the name suggests, the waterbuck depends on water, thus inhabiting areas close to water sources.

28. Kori Bustard

  • Scientific Name: Ardeotis kori
  • Conservation status: Near Threatened

Kori bustards are very large birds — the heaviest flying bird native to Africa. Male kori bustards weigh between seven and eighteen kilograms.

The male kori bustard’s wingspan ranges from seven feet seven inches to nine feet.

Even though they have large wings, they do not frequently fly unless necessary.

Therefore, there is much to admire in this feathered giant, bringing you to the Etosha National Park in Namibia and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, where it occupies sparsely wooded savannas and open grasslands. 

29. Nile crocodile

Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

  • Scientific Name: Crocodylus niloticus
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

Some insects and amphibians might be insignificant during a safari escapade, but not large reptiles and apex predators like the Nile crocodile.

The crocodile occupies various habitats, including rivers, lakes, and marshes, and earns a fearsome reputation for its size, fearlessness, and extremely powerful bite.

One can find the Nile crocodile in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, among others. 

30. Grey-crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)

  • Scientific Name: Balearica regulorum
  • Conservation status: Endangered

The large, attractive bird, growing over three feet in height, with plush blueish-gray plumes and a golden crest, would be one of the most majestic creatures to see on one’s African safari.

The grey-crowned crane primarily inhabits dry savannas in Sub-Saharan Africa but could occur in cultivated areas and grassy flatlands in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.

The Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Parks in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania.

Also See: Beautiful Birds With Mohawks (With Pictures)

Frequently Asked Questions

What animals feature on africa’s top safari.

Africa’s safari features several animals, but lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and buffalos are the continent’s top-five safari animals.

Some of the world’s most popular animals, including zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, and antelopes, also feature on an African safari. 

Would you see a tiger on an African safari? 

While Africa is home to some of the world’s largest wild cats, including lions and cheetahs, it is very unlikely to find a tiger that is not in captivity in Africa.

However, one can find the tiger in a zoo or special reserve; the Laohu Valley Reserve, Tiger Canyon, Jugomaro Predator Park, and Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa are some places to find the world’s largest wild cat.

What is the most common animal on the safari?

The lion tops most people’s wishlists of animals to find on a safari. Without a doubt, it is one animal almost everyone coming on a safari would want to see, thanks to the beast’s title as the king of the jungle and the continent’s top carnivore. 

What is the largest safari animal?

Lions, giraffes, hippos, and buffalos are in contention for Africa’s largest safari animals, but they do little to match the African bush elephant ( Loxodonta africana ).

The mammal can grow up to 13 feet and weigh almost 23,000 pounds, more than any other safari animal.

What African habitats support wildlife?

Most African habitats support wildlife, including savannas, rainforests, semi-deserts, wooded grasslands, deserts, and plains, because they have the perfect climate and terrains to support specific animals.

One might never get enough of Africa’s scenic terrains and the breathtaking explorations of its safari.

However, various challenges, including habitat degradation, human activities, and climate change, pose considerable threats to the survival of several African safari animals, driving some of these species to extinction.

Therefore, it will be more helpful for all to support conservation efforts to ensure the continuity of the continent’s beauty of undomesticated animals.

References & Notes

  • Bauer H., Chapron G., et al. 2015. Lion (Panthera leo) populations are declining rapidly across Africa, except in intensively managed areas . PNAS.
  • Alexis Valdes. 2018. Painted Ferocity: The Social Behaviors of African Wild Dogs, Threats to Survival, and Resulting Conservation Initiatives [pdf] . Liberty University.
  • Binder W., Valkenburgh V. B. 2000. Development of bite strength and feeding behavior in juvenile spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) . Journal of Zoology.
  • White-backed Vulture  Gyps africanus . BirdLife International.

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10 Best African Countries for Safari

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

images of african safari

#1 Botswana

Recommended Tours:

Thus, poachers are seen as enemies of the people. As a result, Botswana has come into view as Africa's most sought-after ecotourism destination. Starting from the Chobe National Park to the Moremi Nature Reserve, you'll be able to witness numerous gems all around the country.

Back in 2014, Botswana widely banned the hunting of wild animals and implemented strict laws which are still in practice. The country resumes its zero-tolerance for poaching and their very own environmental minister, Tshekedi Khama, has even launched a shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.

Botswana, with its wildlife conservation and natural parks, is a haven for nature lovers. It is currently in the top 5, as its approach to the protection and conservation of wildlife is worth the praise. As a country, it is very forward-thinking, some may even call it aggressively forward-thinking when it comes to its preservation and anti-poaching laws.

<p><strong>Recommended Tours:</strong></p> <p>Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/mammals/" title="mammal">mammal</a> species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.</p> <p>Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.</p>

Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 mammal species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.

Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.

images of african safari

Most of the land in Namibia is occupied by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. Along with that, the country also has 12 national parks and many other areas which are protected. So, if you go there for a safari, you'll have many rich areas to see and explore.

When it comes to countries with the least amount of population, Namibia is one of them. Which proves to be a good thing for nature. This is because most of the land in Namibia is still unspoiled by human filth or any sort of development, giving nature a chance to breathe.

images of african safari

In the country's Volcanoes National Park, you'll find 10 habituated gorilla families. Groups of 8 trekkers can visit them for one hour per day. But that's enough to get the best African safari experience. And as a nature lover, you'll enjoy the experience to the max.

If you've been around for some time, you'll be familiar with Rwanda's mountain gorillas. They were famously broadcasted and their fight for survival was shown on  National Geographic . This was all thanks to the late  Dian Fossey  back in the 1970s who advocated for the rights of these mountain gorillas throughout her life.

Considering the tragic history surrounding the mass genocide of the people of Rwanda back in 1994, it's truly a blessing what the country has achieved in the past 25 years. There have been countless investments in infrastructure. This has resulted in the country being a very fast-growing destination for ecotourism.

images of african safari

#6 South Africa

But given all the advantages, it's safe to conclude that South Africa also suffers from over-tourism. I mean, if you have so many great attractions, people will flock towards it. Chances are that you'll find yourself in the middle of dozens of unruly visitors who are not too keen on obeying the rules. This occurs mostly during the peak seasons.

Annually, the country has one million visitors. Its biggest attraction is the Kruger National Park with its enrichment in biodiversity. Visitors there also have the liberty to self-drive, thus, getting a first-person private but superb experience. 

For some time now, South Africa has been climbing the charts to become one of the most popular destinations for African safaris. Given its location, South Africa is a very convenient and cheap destination for people from the United States. Besides that, the country also boasts a well-developed infrastructure which makes it perfect for luxury travelers as well.

images of african safari

#7 Tanzania

One of the most popular locations would be the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The country is also a haven for 1100 different bird species. It's no wonder that Tanzania gets this much rep. Especially when the country boasts so many wonders.

We talked about Kenya being the top destination for Safari. Now Tanzania here takes second place in being the continent's most popular safari destination. And why shouldn't it? The country has 16 national parks and an extraordinary amount of wealth and wildlife wonders for the people to witness.

images of african safari

Some of its natural attractions include housing the highest mountain range in Africa. It also has the world's largest free-standing volcano and the second-largest freshwater lake. With its 30 national parks and other wildlife reserves, Uganda boasts many more sanctuaries which are worth the visit. Especially if you're a lover of nature and wildlife.

Often called "The Pearl of Africa", Uganda is certainly a great pick for an African safari. Its reputation as being one of the best ecotourism destinations comes from the country's natural attractions and wildlife.

<p><strong>Recommended Tours:</strong></p> <p>Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.</p> <p>Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.</p>

Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.

Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.

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Behind the scenes in Savanna: What it’s like to work on an African safari

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Working on an African safari sure beats a desk job. Photo / Getty Images

Would you swap your office job for a daily elephant encounter? Bonnie Culbertson talks with various safari workers to see if living in the wild is exciting, terrifying, or a little bit of both.

Witnessing a spectacular sunrise break over the African bush, accompanied by the sweet serenade of exotic birds and buzzing insects, is an experience most people only dream of. Yet, for a select few, it is simply the start of another day at the office. Living and working in an African safari lodge, or guiding overland safari tours, is an extraordinary adventure.

READ MORE: Life in a bucket list: What it’s like to live and work in the Maldives?

Living and working in an African safari lodge, or guiding overland safari tours, is an extraordinary adventure. Photo / Krivinis

A typical day out in the bush

Unsurprisingly, the most exciting role is that of a safari guide, though it does come with devastating wake-up times.

“The sun is still snoozing when a guide’s alarm goes off,” says Peter Allison, a private guide for luxury tour company Black Tomato . He and the other safari guides we spoke to all stressed the need to check the trucks and tour vehicles first thing in the morning to make sure everything is in working order - an essential job to ensure guests’ safety. “After a short caffeine top-up it’s the best time of day: out on a morning drive to look for wildlife.”

“In peak season we start our days early as this is when the predators are most active, and the chances of spotting wildlife are higher,” explains Johannes Lekoloane, senior leader for Southern Africa at B-Corp certified outfitter, Intrepid Travel . “A typical day on safari starts at 5.30am with a light breakfast before heading out on either a bush walk or drive. After lunch, guests enjoy some downtime before we head out to chase the sunset with another excursion through the channels of the Delta before sharing dinner, which is often followed by singing, story-telling, and dancing around the campfire.”

On safari, a shared dinner is often followed by singing, story-telling and dancing around the campfire.

But for non-guide staff, days at a safari lodge in many ways resemble those at other hotels - morning briefings, inventory checks and checking in with guests. That last bit, however, tends to take on a more rewarding flavour when most of your guests have achieved a lifelong dream by coming to stay with you.

“There are few things more rewarding than a first-time safari-goer gushing over their guide and their experience out in the bush,” says William de Jager, lodge manager at Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge in South Africa. “It makes it all worthwhile … Every morning champagne bottles pop to celebrate the excitement, and mimosas run freely to commemorate the sightings they saw that day.” After all the excitement and catching up with guests, William is back to his to-do list, which might include ordering replacement cushions for a couch that’s been chewed by a local hyena.

More than a job - ‘it’s a lifestyle’

Out in the bush, wild animals become your colleagues. While many in these enviable careers were born and raised among wildlife, those who weren’t inevitably develop a profound and transformative bond with nature, one that drives an intense passion for their work. These individuals are not only caretakers of the wilderness, but ambassadors of its many wonders.

“Living and working in the bush is something you must be passionate about,” explains Justina, a hostess with African Bush Camps in Zambia. “It’s not a job but rather a lifestyle because it is so involved. You are dealing with different people from different cultures with different wants and needs. But it is also so rewarding when you help them fulfill their bucket list of having a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.”

“The best part about my job is definitely seeing the joy in my guests’ eyes after a good safari,” echoes Johannes. “It may sound cliche, but there is nothing I don’t like about my job.”

images of african safari

Learning to respect the local wildlife

And if that wasn’t enough to stress someone out, there’s the constant threat of wildlife encounters gone wrong. While all of the workers we spoke with possess an undeniable love for the animals around them, they also carry a healthy fear of them. Justina loves elephants, but would rather not get too close to one. For Mash, he’s wary of the baboons - whom he dubs “the Mafia” - and spends most mornings making sure they don’t get near the camp.

Peter with Black Tomato insists most guides carry a genuine fear of Buffalo. “It’s a sensible one. The old males who get left behind by the herd behave just as cantankerously as their human counterparts, but weigh 800kg and can outrun Olympians,” he explains. “Also, no one wants to be taken out by a glorified cow.”

Most safari guides carry a genuine fear of buffalo - and it's a sensible one. Photo / Maddie Muir

In reality, it is much safer to have staff who understand and respect the local wildlife. “There’s always an inherent element of unpredictability,” explains Nathalie Van Pée, managing director of Uganda’s Nile Safari Lodge . “Ensuring the safety of both guests and staff is a top priority. Continuous training, strict adherence to safety protocols, and monitoring animal behavior help mitigate potential risks.” In addition, workers here stress again and again that the old adage holds true - if you respect the animals and give them their space, they will leave you alone.

Godwin Temba, who co-owns and manages boutique eco-retreat Kantabile Afrika alongside his wife, Vivian, wishes all of his guests understood this. “I worry about people not respecting animals and, in turn, endangering themselves,” he explains. “For example, elephants need their space and privacy. If people intrude on that, elephants can feel disturbed and charge as a way to protect themselves and defend their territory. Many visitors don’t understand this and end up putting themselves in the path of danger unwittingly.”

Commitment to conservation

For the Tembas, the drive to help as many people as possible comprehend this deep respect for nature is what led them to open their camps, which have been recognised by Regenerative Travel for superior conservation and community development initiatives like foregoing pools in the drought-prone Serengeti, sourcing food and supplies from local villagers, and hiring young Tanzanians who dropped out of school and would not otherwise have access to a viable career path.

“When we live in the society that we are so accustomed to, we are conditioned to think that we constantly need structure and control over the environment,” says Temba. “But we need to give animals priority in their own habitat – their path, their home – they have the right to use the land as they wish. Most people don’t get that and think we humans are superior and “own” the land, which is very wrong. Living in harmony with nature shakes up that belief system.”

William with Ngala Safari Lodge agrees, “At the end of the day the big game has rite of passage, and they were here first so if they are in our living quarters or in our camp, you simply wait until they are not.”

Becoming an ardent conservationist, it seems, simply comes with the territory out here. “Living close to these animals has created so much love for them in me,” says Mash. “My only fear is to wake up one morning and they are not there.”

Safari life is all about living in harmony with nature.

Cross-cultural connections

Interacting with guests from diverse backgrounds adds another layer of richness to a safari career. Lodge workers and guides have the opportunity to share their knowledge and love for their homeland while learning about different cultures and perspectives from guests and colleagues alike. The daily routine of sharing stories around a campfire forges lasting bonds, especially among staff who often live and work on-site and become like a second family.

“We have a very social life, where we get to meet guests from all different places in the world,” enthuses Nathalie. “We also have a very good relationship with our staff and most of them live on-site. We work a lot with the rangers for all activities and we have the local live band here at least once a week, they come to perform for the guests and we always get to exchange and dance together.”

Despite the allure of this lifestyle, it’s not without its challenges. Living in remote areas can mean being away from family and friends for extended periods, and the job can be physically demanding. Yet, for many, these challenges are outweighed by the rewards: the sense of community among staff, the exposure to new cultures, the thrill of wildlife encounters and the satisfaction of making a difference in conservation efforts. Not to mention a chance to earn money without much chance of spending it.

“The ability to have a direct interface with guests, exchange experiences, and understand different cultures as we interact with guests is exciting,” says Tapfuma, a manager with African Bush Camps in Zimbabwe . “You also save a lot as the money you need to use is minimal or zero at all times.”

Interacting with guests from diverse backgrounds adds another layer of richness to a safari career. Photo / Getty Images

“You need to be able to get along with people,” William stressed when asked what most people don’t understand about the safari life. “You are part of a very small community of people that lives and work in a very remote place. At my lodge, we are a staff of 109 people. Those are the 109 people you see and talk to every day, and we come from all different walks of life. Different cultures, different languages, different values, different socio-economic backgrounds. We are a washing machine of different personalities and the odds of you getting along with every single one of those 109 are not necessarily in your favour, but you have to be able to respect each other regardless.”

Truly, the life of a safari lodge worker or overland safari guide in Africa is a unique and fulfilling journey. It’s not a career for the faint of heart, offering a blend of adventure and a deep connection with community and nature. It’s a life that changes not just their own perspectives, but also those of the guests they serve.

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It’s gotten to the point where even the hyenas have noticed that one of the world’s great wildlife refuges is overrun by visitors.

Back in the day, spotted hyenas in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve would track a pride of hunting lions and then slip in to steal leftover chunks of hippo or impala.

Now, hyenas track Toyota Land Cruisers, knowing a cluster of 4x4s inevitably signals a big cat nearby, likely with a fresh kill.

Park managers, conservationists, safari guides, camp owners and even venture capitalists are trying to figure out how to keep the 580-square-mile reserve and its wildlife from being spoiled by the very tourism industry that keeps it afloat.

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Some 300,000 tourists visit the reserve each year, many hoping to witness that National Geographic moment when some of the two million wildebeest migrating from Tanzania slide down a steep riverbank, splash through a congregation of waiting crocodiles and try to reach their Kenyan mating grounds uneaten.

Bianca Otero/Zuma Press

The result is that the most harrowing river crossings, the bloodiest kills, the loneliest leopards and the cutest cubs are often besieged by dozens or even hundreds of vehicles full of camera-toting tourists.

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The reserve and surrounding buffer zone have more than 200 safari camps. Privately, park officials say corruption has allowed for catastrophic growth, with officials allowing friends and patrons to set up new camps. 

The expectations of well-heeled visitors, who might pay as much as $2,500 per person per night for a top-end safari, are exacerbating the problem.

Tourists ride in a hot-air balloon in the Maasai Mara region. There is a moratorium on new balloon-safari outfits. Photo: Gerald Anderson/Anadolu Agency/Getty

During migration season, in July and August, visitors expect to see a crossing. They expect to see a kill. And they expect their guides to get them up close with the Big Five they have seen in the brochures—lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo and black rhinos.

Michael M. Phillips/The Wall Street Journal

“You’re managing expectations of guests who might have seen a BBC documentary where something spectacular happened. And they come here and want to see the same thing.”

Valery Super, chief executive of Emboo River, an eco-camp in the Maasai Mara National Reserve

For the guides, it’s survival of the fittest: A happy tourist tips better. Hence the pressure to rush to the site of a kill and maneuver the Land Cruiser into position for the clearest shot of the action.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty

“Maybe on one site you have 100 cars at a go,” said Joel Kipilosh, an independent Maasai guide. “Can you imagine how stressful that is? We have to scramble for both position and lighting.”

Reserve officials say they are taking steps to thin the herds of tourists. Narok County, which operates the reserve on behalf of the local Maasai people, nearly tripled entry fees last month, to $200 per foreign visitor per day during migration season, from $70.

The reserve has long had rules intended to reduce crowding—no more than five vehicles at a sighting, for instance—but officials admit enforcement has been lax. Under the new plans, guides and guests will have to sign safari etiquette rules.

Baz Ratner/Reuters

In the coming months, the reserve and conservancies expect to launch a counterintuitive marketing strategy: to play down the Great Migration and the Big Five that made the Maasai Mara famous.

Cover photo : Nick Dale/Universal Images Group/Getty

Produced by : Siemond Chan

Screen Rant

An adventure with national geographic: exploring tanzania with queens.

I traveled to Tanzania, Africa with National Geographic to see how the world's best natural history documentarians share their stories.

  • Screen Rant's Rob Keyes embarked on a journey to Tanzania, Africa with National Geographic to explore Arusha, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater.
  • Witnessed stunning wildlife in lush greenery, experienced local culture and amazing accommodations, while exploring diverse ecosystems.
  • Interacted with top natural history documentarians and expert filmmakers, immersed in breathtaking landscapes for groundbreaking TV shows.

Over five years ago while visiting Yellowstone National Park with National Geographic to go behind-the-scenes on Yellowstone Live the team shared stories of past worldly adventures related to other natural history programming and teased ideas for the future. The possibility of visiting Africa with the greatest natural history documentarians in the world seemed like the stuff of dreams.

One pandemic and a historical acquisition by Disney later (Nat Geo was majority-owned by 21st Century Fox at the time), and I'm offered the opportunity to do just that. In December I embarked on the journey of a lifetime to Tanzania , Malaria prophylaxis pills in hand due to my relationship with mosquitoes.

There were three legs to this journey and National Geographic organized enough time to spend two days in each region: Arusha , Serengeti , and the Ngorongoro Crater . These areas offered a glimpse into the real-world locations seen in Nat Geo TV shows A Real Bug's Life , Incredible Animal Journeys , and Queens .

The Arusha Coffee Lodge and visiting the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre

The trip began with a lengthy multi-leg journey from Canada to Tanzania where we landed at Kilimanjaro International Airport and took a drive to the Arusha Coffee Lodge . Arusha is known as the safari capital of Tanzania and this coffee plantation located at the base of Mount Meru is lush with greenery. It's very late when we arrived so it's straight to bed in my own Plantation House, bug net and bag of Nat Geo supplies included, and a snail the size of a baseball on the front step. In the morning, I awaken to beautiful, sunny weather highlighting the coffee plants but it's the sight of monkeys on top of some other other houses that capture my attention.

Vervet monkeys populate the area, and are known to sneak into plantation houses if guests are not careful in closing their doors. The same for daring to leave food on any of the outdoor tables, though I suspect they may get inside the main house eating area as well given how on my second morning at the Arusha Coffee Lodge, one curious Vervet monkey nearly followed me in. Take a peek at that one looking down at me in the gallery above! Less common are baboons who we're told by the staff can "wreak havoc" on the plantation on rare occasions.

While here for our first full day in Africa we screened an episode of A Real Bug's Life (narrated by Awkwafina) and interviewed Executive Producers Bill Markham and Martha Holmes over a remote video call and later in the day watched the "Savanna Queens" episode of Queens . Queens , of the three shows, is the big one and joining us on our journey for the week were Queens showrunner and writer Chloe Sarosh and Queens Director of Photography Sophie Darlington . They were able to screen multiple episodes for us during the trip, but more on them later!

A Real Bug's Life Poster Featuring Bugs Crawling on Leaves

A Real Bug's Life

A Real Bug's Life is a Nat Geo original series exploring some of the world's most unique bugs and how their extraordinary abilities help them survive. A Real Bug's Life is narrated by Awkwafina and premiered in January 2024.

In between screenings we also visited the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre , home to one of the world's largest collections of African art including one particularly standout piece that stands 19-feet tall, a family tree carved from ebony wood and the only item not for sale.

After returning to the lodge we enjoyed a guided tour of the plantation to see how the local coffee plants are cared for before participating in roasting, grinding, and tasting the freshest coffee imaginable. We even crossed paths with a large and mysterious hole that had just been burrowed through by an aardvark.

The next day began with an early morning ride to Arusha Airport where Nat Geo had arranged a charter flight to the Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti. It was time for some safari adventures!

Four Seasons Serengeti and Serengeti National Park

Since it's December when we explored Tanzania it was the short rains season and the Serengeti plains were lush with greenery and wildlife. Even on the drive from the airstrip to the lodge, it was impossible to drive minutes without seeing large groupings of wildlife. On that drive in alone we saw Tawny eagles, Topi, impalas, gazelles, dik-dik, warthogs, hippos, guineafowl, giraffes, buffalo, baboons, giraffes, elephants (in the distance), secretarybirds, openbill storks, elands, kongoni, northern white-crowned shrike, and more, alongside many, many large termite mounds.

And what made our time in Serengeti, and later in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so special was that all our many game drives around Serengeti we were accompanied by Queens showrunner and writer Chloe Sarosh and Director of Photography Sophie Darlington - the latter of whom spent years living in the region and shared the most amazing stories and knowledge, noting that Queens is something special:

"I've been filming for 35 years and [Queens] is the best thing I've ever worked on because it's not just the filming, it's so much more. It's the legacy."

Upon arrival at the Four Seasons Serengeti, where from my room I could see zebras and water buffalo and where guards escort guests to and from their room due to wildlife concerns (hyenas have found their way into the compound and a leopard once explored the hotel lobby I was told), we screened an episode of Incredible Animal Journeys and chatted with showrunner Sarah Gibbs about the series and how they worked with Disney to bring in Jeremy Renner as the narrator. Gibbs explains that "part of the ambition when making a series for Nat Geo or Disney is that they want you to get stuff you've never seen before."

Related: Watch this Exclusive Clip from Queens

During production of Incredible Animal Journeys , 127 days of footage were captured across three years and seven continents, including an astounding four "world first" moments such as a humpback whale birth. Another, more gripping example, is how they observed true altruistic behavior where a whale, out of kindness and empathy, fended off tiger sharks and stayed with another whale that was tangled in a net, lifting her to the surface and staying with her until she passed.

Incredible Animal Journeys Poster Feaaturing a Turtle Crawling on a Beach

Incredible Animal Journeys

Incredible Animal Journeys is a nature documentary narrated by Jeremy Renner. The Nat Geo series premiered on Hulu and Disney Plus in November 2023 and focuses on different animals' journeys as they prove that humans are far from the greatest explorers the world has ever seen. Incredible Animal Journeys document different species as they travel thousands of miles around the world to find food, mates, and safety.

Incredible Animal Journeys used as much local crew as possible to reduce the impact of the production and for the show to be possible they deployed the latest in tracking technology to observe the migrations of various animal species, even sharing footage and data with scientists. Note the years of work invested to sharing this story and this knowledge. This brings us to Queens , a project that took even longer and involved investing in mentoring and developing local and female filmmakers and storytellers. We screened another episode of Queens while in Serengeti, but over our two days there, we spent most of the hours on multiple game drives to ensure we could witness wildlife at sunrise, during the mid-day heat, and in the cooler evenings as it got dark.

Serengeti Safari Wildlife Photos

Below are select images from our many game drives in Serengeti, with photos provided by Dean Bell ( The Bachelorette , Bachelor in Paradise ) and myself.

Nat Geo Tanzania 2023 Giraffe 2

It's difficult to identify highlights because there were so many breathtaking moments along the journey, from finding a leopard avoiding the heat high up in a tree and seeing a massive bloat of hippos enjoying the water, to watching hyenas and lions play with their young, and of course, seeing an elephant matriarch lead her family of 20 right up to us and through our safari vehicles, even stopping to splash mud at us. Somehow, our two days in Serengeti topped our experience in Arusha. But it gets better.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro conservation area, the crater lodge, and a maasai boma.

For the final leg of the journey we returned to Seronera Airstrip for a charter flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip where we were welcomed by a group of vehicles and guides who took us on a lengthy and breathtaking journey into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and up to the top of the Ngorongoro Crater. This magical vista is the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera and its unfilled interior is sprawling with wildlife, home to over 25,000 animals including all of the "big five." The walls are steep, some reaching 8000 feet above sea level.

We stayed at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge on the rim of the crater, known to some as the "game lodge at the top of the world" and it has the most amazing view. Due to altitude, there are thankfully no mosquitoes and we could sleep without a bug net. The huts we stay in are large, classical, something from a fantasy bolstered by a view directly into the crater. There's evan a leather-bound collection of National Geographic magazines from the '80s in the room. The main house has a telescope to look directly into the crater. We can see flamingos and rhinos in the distance.

What are Africa’s Big Five?

Like in Serengeti, there are escorts (here, the local Maasai warriors) to and from our rooms which is required after dark as even up here in the clouds, water buffalo, elephants, and other large animals can graze past our huts and pick fruit off the nearby trees. In our final days in Tanzania, we meet many members of the Maasai tribe who are incredibly welcoming, even performing ceremonial dances for us. We visited a Maasai Boma, a local settlement, to see how the nomadic people can quickly build a residence, hunt, craft art, and start fire.

Wasting no time at all, we drive into the crater itself and get a first-hand look at some of what episode 2 ("African Queens") of National Geographic's Queens showcases so well.

Queens National Geographic Poster Featuring an Elephant, Lion, Bear, Fox, and Hyena Roaring

National Geographic's Queens (2024)

Queens is a Nat Geo documentary series narrated by Angela Bassett. The six-part nature doc follows the powerful sisterhoods that are formed in the animal kingdom among hyenas, elephants, ring-tailed lemurs, insects, orcas, and primates.

Since Ngorongro is a conservation area, the local Maasai are able to live around the crater rim but no longer within it on the crater floor. Serengeti by comparison, is a National Park so no one may live there. The only micro settlements we observed were research stations and on safari drives, no one could leave the designated paths (Nat Geo acquires permits to do so for filming).

Inside the crater there's more activity than I'd imagined. There's no sight line that doesn't feature a herd of something , and there's also a surprising amount of tourist activity. Safari vehicles, which the wildlife is accustomed to so long as guests follow the rules and stay inside, fill the paths and quickly gather up around interesting wildlife activity, whether a lion is finding shade beside a vehicle or on the hunt. We ourselves witnessed a rare serval sighting. We also saw a lioness successfully nab a young warthog in the distance, not too far from a beautiful black rhino. The zebras and wildebeests reacting and watching is what pointed us to this discovery.

Nat Geo Tanzania Ngorongoro Crater Safari Rob Keyes

In mere days spent in Tanzania we saw and experienced so much yet this is just scratching the surface of the natural history being documented in National Geographic's programming in these very same areas we toured. For the best look ever inside of the Ngorongoro Crater and in Serengeti check out Queens on National Geographic . Like Incredible Animal Journeys , the teams behind Queens showcase world-class cinematography, from a team of diverse and up-and-coming female filmmakers to tell stories that need to be seen to be believed, and they do so with style and power. We saw it and felt it here.

Note: While we observed and encountered an exceptional amount of wildlife, seemingly densely populated along every safari drive, I may have been the only person not to see a Cheetah on this journey and it was the running joke of the trip.

National Geographic organized this amazing trip to Tanzania with andBeyond . Incredible Animal Journeys and Queens can be watched on National Geographic, also streamed on Disney+ and Hulu. A Real Bug's Life is available on Disney+

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