7 AMAZING AFRICAN WILD ANIMALS TO SEE (THAT AREN’T THE BIG 5)
African Wild Animals / Image Rosa Ann Miller
There are an abundance of thousands of different mammal and bird species in Africa! However, only the Big 5 seem to attract the global amount of tourists that travel far and wide to see them.
The Big 5 are an amazing bunch of animals that consist of lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos. Understandably, the Big 5 are some of the most impactful and incredible African wild animals you will get to see on a safari. Observing these legendary animals makes any safari trip an unforgettable experience.
Yet, there are so many other amazing African wild animals to see on a safari which most people miss in pursuit of the Big 5. However, these creatures are extremely important to our animal kingdom and even though they may not be the biggest and most popular - the role they play in the African savannah is a significant one.
Each and every wild animal you see has a unique personality even if they don’t have the jaws of a lioness or the colossal frame of an elephant. If this blog post has intrigued you to read more about the other amazing animals that live on the African plains - Here is our guide to 7 amazing African wild animals to see on your next safari, that aren’t the Big 5! You never know, you may be surprised to find yourself at the end of your safari with a new and unexpected favourite.
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African Wild Animals / Image: Sutirta Budiman
The Wildebeest
We ADORE the Wildebeest and here’s why - The Wildebeest, also known as the ‘Gnu’ named after the Afrikaans name Wildebeest or ‘wild beast’ due to its appearance of a large head, shaggy mane and sharp, curved horns. Both male and female wildebeest grow horns which can make them seem visibly similar. These ungainly African wild animals are active throughout the day and night because they are constantly grazing. Don’t let the appearance of the Wildebeest fool you though. They look as if they could be really aggressive with their shaggy appearance, but the Wildebeest choose not to. They are one of the gentler African wild animals you will find.
A group of Wildebeest is called a gaggle and can be quite noisy so you will most likely hear them before you see them. They can also be quite intimidating when they are flying through the Serengeti on their annual migration - which is a spectacular sight to see. The downside to being a Wildebeest is that they are a prey animal and have three of the most violent African wild animals as its predators: Lions, cheetahs and crocodiles.
The Ostrich
The wonderful Ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird in the world. They are also unable to fly, making them built for running instead of flying. The Ostrich is also only found in the continent of Africa making it one of our must-see African Wild Animals.
African Wild Animals / Image: Mariola Grobelska
There are many reasons why the Ostrich is an attraction that can’t be missed. Aside from being the largest birds in the world, they can also roar like a lion and have 8 hearts too! Their roar is a loud booming sound that Ostrich’s make as a warning call - which many people say can sound like a lion’s roar. Its legs are also extremely powerful and muscular and can sprint in short bursts up to 43 mph
Aside from its African predators being cheetahs, lions, hyenas and crocodiles - humans are its predators too. Today, ostriches are farmed and hunted for feathers, skin, meat and eggs - which in some parts of the world are believed to cure illnesses. Also, as human populations grow, they are expanding into areas where ostriches roamed freely which affects habitat loss.
To ensure that the Ostrich continues to thrive, we can all play a part in helping these magnificent African wild animals. Prevent purchasing any Ostrich feathers, meat and eggs and help stop the demand for Ostrich farming.
The Giraffe
Giraffes are a lot like us! This tallest living wild animal is sensitive, social, gentle and friendly. That’s why they are one of our favourite African wild animals to see on any safari.
The African giraffe lives in most parts of Africa so you will likely see them on your next safari. An adult giraffe can reach up to 15-20 ft high which makes them the tallest animals in the world. What makes the giraffe iconic African wild animals is that its predators (lions, leopards and hyenas) find it hard to take down this gentle giant due to its colossal size. Lions, which are their most predominant predators usually take down their victims by the throat, so to take down a giraffe is quite the challenge. Lions have to work within prides to knock this long legged animal down. However their legs can also be incredibly dangerous. A kick from a giraffe can kill an animal.
The giraffe has been highly threatened for almost 50 years and has diminished from some parts of west Africa’s reserves. Illegal hunting, climate change and habitat loss have all contributed to numbers of giraffes declining.
If you’re interested in learning more about lions - join us on our groundbreaking African Lion Safari Read more HERE
African Wild Animals / Image: Mariola Grobelska
The Pangolin
The marvellous but severely endangered Pangolin, is one of our favourite African Wild Animals of all time. Four species of Pangolin live in Africa, the Black & White Bellied Pangolin, the Giant Ground Pangolin and the Temminck’s Ground Pangolin.
African Wild Animals / Pangolin
Pangolins are fantastically unique as they have more vertebrae than any other African wild animals. Their tails are perfect for climbing trees and to carry their young too. Pangolins don’t have any teeth but they can eat small rocks and pebbles which sit in their gizzards (a part of the stomach) which help them grind their food. Despite their scaly appearance, the Pangolin is a mammal and not a reptile.
If you are able to see a Pangolin on your next safari - count yourself lucky as they are very elusive creatures and typically only come out at night. Your safari guide should know where the best places are to spot Pangolins and perhaps you’ll be able to observe one during the dusky hours of the evening too.
Pangolins are sadly endangered and heavily trafficked. They are believed to have magical and curative properties from their meat and scales. Although their scales are made of keratin - the same substance that makes up human hair and nails - they are in incredibly high demand in Asian countries.
We strongly discourage buying any Pangolin properties and reporting any Pangolin trafficking if you witness it. If you would like to do more to help these incredible African wild animals - please support the registered and trusted organisation Pangolin Crises Fund
African Wild Animals / Image: Sammy Wong
The Cheetah
If you are looking for a unique big cat to observe - head to see one of the most beloved African animals - The Cheetah! The cheetah is essential to see on any African safari. The agile and rapid cheetah is one of the quickest animals on the planet. It can impressively reach speeds of 70mph and this extraordinary cat can also swim too.
Cheetahs are very sociable and enjoy living as a family unit with their cubs until they are grown enough to flee the nest. Cheetahs, especially female can also live a very solitary life and can survive on their own until they meet their next mate. Male cheetahs are a little different in that respect as they typically like to live within groups of two or three other males.
If you are lucky enough to observe a cheetah kill, you’re in for an exceptionally compelling experience. Cheetah’s are so fast and dynamic that watching a cheetah kill is heart-stopping. They are meat-eaters and the animals they target for food are - springbok, gazelles, impalas and antelopes.
Surprisingly, cheetahs are the most endangered big-cat in Africa with only 10-20K left in the wild. Unfortunately, cheetahs are killed for their fur but their biggest obstacles in the fight for life is habitat loss. Because the cheetah runs so fast and needs plenty of land to move freely, human settlements and road constructions put this beloved animal at risk.
We learn about big cats on our African Lion Safari - speak to our specialist HERE to learn more
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African Wild Animals / Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann
The Warthog
The humble warthog is one of the most charming African wild animals you will ever get to meet. This tough little warthog is not to be messed with and if you get to see this charismatic little creature - you will be sure not to be disappointed.
There is really no denying that warthogs are not the most picturesque of African wild animals. However, their toughness and tenacity is something to be admired.
They are sociable beings and can live in groups of up to 40, called sounders. Females are the most sociable - grooming each other and huddling each other at night for warmth. Adult males are a little less social and can be more territorial.
They do have some odd habits and facts. Their large tusks are actually their canine teeth which can grow up to 25cm in length. Warthogs use dens to hide their young from predators. These strong creatures prefer to flight before fight and will enter their dens backwards and use their tusks to guard the entrance of their dens. They can reach speeds for up to 30mph when running which helps to outrun predators too.
The tough little warthog loves to be groomed and allow mongoose and vervet monkeys to remove ticks from their fur. Their bird comrades also help them against insects, they ride on their backs and eat insects from their hides. So you see, this delightful African wild animal is undeniably charismatic and will leave a memorable mark on your safari!
The Zebra
The uniquely striped zebra is a very historical wild animal. The Zebras’ history has dated back for centuries and the Grevy’s Zebra is actually named after a former king. It was former King of France, Jules Grevy that was gifted a zebra from the king of Abyssinia in 1882, now known as Ethiopia. In fact, in many historical stories you will come across Zebra’s being closely related to royalty too.
Zebra’s and horses are part of the same family, even though they are not the same species. However similar, you cannot ride a zebra like you can a horse. Zebras have smaller frames and also different temperaments.
Zebras are pretty dazzling too! A herd of zebras can be called a dazzle. Zebras are extremely calm and sociable beings and live within family groups forming strong bonds between mares and foals. These intriguing characters can also fall asleep standing up and never have to worry about falling over. Falling asleep standing up enables them to make a quick getaway if predators come close.
Unfortunately, like most of the animals we have listed here - the Zebra is classified as endangered. They are also hunted for their skins and meat - both of which are still hugely in demand. Sometimes zebras are killed in order to balance grazing livestock in a particular area too.
If you are on an African safari - we strongly advise against buying any hide or skins of Zebra to discourage the demand for wild animal skins.
African Wild Animals / Image: Jeff Griffith
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