an image of a guest taking a photo of elephants, on a photo tour hosted by a private guide
AFRICAN SAFARI AFTER 60
17 January 2025
A stock image of the iPhones 16 pro for a review blog on the phone.
IPHONE 16 PRO CAMERA REVIEW
29 January 2025
an image of a guest taking a photo of elephants, on a photo tour hosted by a private guide
AFRICAN SAFARI AFTER 60
17 January 2025
A stock image of the iPhones 16 pro for a review blog on the phone.
IPHONE 16 PRO CAMERA REVIEW
29 January 2025

BEYOND AFRICA'S BIG 5

SPECIAL CREATURES TO SEE ON SAFARI

When most people think of an African safari, the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—immediately come to mind. While these iconic animals are incredible to witness, Africa is home to a vast array of fascinating wildlife that often goes unnoticed. From rare predators to bizarre-looking creatures, there’s so much more to discover beyond the Big Five when on safari in the African bush. If you're looking for a unique and unforgettable safari experience, here are some of Africa’s must-see animals that deserve a spot on your wildlife safari bucket list.

AFRICAN WILD DOG

Fast, intelligent, and highly social, the African wild dog is one of Africa’s most endangered predators. With striking patchwork coats, large rounded ears, and exceptional pack hunting strategies, they are a thrilling sight on safari. They rely on teamwork, using coordinated chases and strategic tactics to outmaneuver prey. Their populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and human conflict, making sightings in the wild especially rewarding. The best places to see them include Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, and Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools.

📍 Where to See Them: Okavango Delta (Botswana), Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania), Mana Pools (Zimbabwe)

HYENA

Often misunderstood as scavengers, hyenas are actually skilled hunters with complex social structures. Spotted hyenas, in particular, live in matriarchal clans led by dominant females, and their strong bite force allows them to crush bones with ease. Unlike their reputation, hyenas are highly intelligent and communicate through eerie whoops, giggles, and growls. Observing their interactions in the wild provides insight into one of Africa’s most fascinating carnivores. The best places to see them include Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

📍 Where to See Them: Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Chobe National Park (Botswana), Kruger National Park (South Africa)

SERVAL

This medium-sized wild cat is known for its slender frame, long legs, and distinctive black spots. Adapted for life in the grasslands, servals are expert hunters, using their keen eyesight and remarkable hearing to detect rodents beneath the ground. With an impressive leap of over three meters, they can snatch birds in mid-air. Unlike larger big cats, servals are typically solitary and highly elusive, making a sighting feel incredibly special. They are often spotted in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

📍 Where to See Them: Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Kruger National Park (South Africa)

CARACAL

With its distinctive tufted ears and sleek, golden coat, the caracal is one of Africa’s most elegant and agile wild cats. This medium-sized predator is known for its extraordinary jumping ability, capable of leaping several meters into the air to catch birds in flight. Unlike other big cats, caracals prefer solitude and are mostly nocturnal, making them challenging to spot. They thrive in a variety of habitats, from arid deserts to savannas, and can be seen in South Africa’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Namibia’s Etosha National Park.

📍 Where to See Them: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa), Etosha National Park (Namibia)

GORILLA

Gorillas are among Africa’s most awe-inspiring primates. They live in tight-knit family groups, led by a dominant silverback male, and display remarkably human-like emotions and behaviors. Trekking through dense forests to witness these gentle giants is an unforgettable safari experience. Their populations remain under threat due to habitat destruction and poaching, making conservation crucial. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park offer some of the best gorilla trekking opportunities.

📍 Where to See Them: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

CHEETAH

The cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 75 mph (120 kph) in short bursts. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs rely on speed and agility rather than brute strength to catch their prey. They are often seen in open savannah landscapes, using termite mounds as vantage points to scout for prey. Their numbers are declining due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, making conservation efforts essential for their survival.

📍 Where to See Them: Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania)

CHIMPANZEE

Chimpanzees are some of the most intelligent and expressive animals in Africa. Known for their complex social structures, tool use, and problem-solving skills, watching these primates interact in the wild is a mesmerizing experience. They live in tropical forests and move in large, dynamic groups, communicating through vocalizations and gestures. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda’s Kibale National Park or Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains provides a fascinating insight into their behavior.

📍 Where to See Them: Kibale National Park (Uganda), Mahale Mountains National Park (Tanzania)

ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFE

The Rothschild giraffe is one of the rarest subspecies of giraffe, distinguished by its pale coat and lack of markings below the knees. Found in small, scattered populations, these elegant creatures are a true conservation success story. Unlike other giraffes, they live in more open woodlands, making them easier to observe. You can spot these graceful giants in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park and Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park.

📍 Where to See Them: Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya), Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)

GREVY'S ZEBRA

The Grevy’s zebra is the largest and most endangered of Africa’s three zebra species, instantly recognizable by its narrow stripes, large rounded ears, and robust build. Unlike common zebras, they prefer arid landscapes and have a more solitary nature. Their dwindling numbers make spotting one an exciting experience, with Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Ethiopia’s Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve offering the best opportunities.

📍 Where to See Them: Samburu National Reserve (Kenya), Alledeghi Wildlife Reserve (Ethiopia)

GERENUK

The gerenuk, or "giraffe gazelle," is a uniquely adapted antelope with an elongated neck and long legs, allowing it to stand on its hind legs to reach high branches. Unlike other antelopes, it doesn’t need to drink water regularly, as it gets moisture from the leaves it consumes. This remarkable adaptation helps it thrive in arid environments. Their graceful and somewhat quirky appearance makes them a fascinating species to encounter in the wild. You can find gerenuks in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park.

📍 Where to See Them: Samburu National Reserve (Kenya), Tarangire National Park (Tanzania), Amboseli National Park (Kenya)

DUNG BEETLE

Despite its small size, the dung beetle is one of the most fascinating and essential creatures in Africa’s ecosystem. These industrious insects collect and roll animal dung into balls, which they bury for food storage or nesting. Some species can move dung up to 50 times their own body weight, making them one of nature’s strongest creatures. Beyond their incredible strength, dung beetles play a crucial role in nutrient recycling and soil health, preventing the spread of disease. They can be spotted across Africa, particularly in areas with abundant wildlife like Kruger National Park and the Serengeti.

📍 Where to See Them: Kruger National Park (South Africa), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Africa’s wildlife is as diverse as it is breathtaking, offering a world of discovery beyond the Big Five. From agile predators to fascinating insects, each species plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Whether you’re captivated by the intelligence of primates, the elusive nature of wild cats, or the endurance of smaller creatures, there is always something extraordinary to see. Keep your eyes open, your camera ready, and embrace the magic of Africa’s lesser-known wildlife on your next safari adventure.

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