Get to know Africa's extraordinary animals before you arrive — from the iconic Big Five to rare primates and colourful birds.
Originally coined by big-game hunters for the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot, the Big Five are now the most sought-after wildlife sightings on any African safari.
Big Five
The apex predator of the savanna, lions live in family groups called prides. Africa's lion population is estimated at 20,000–25,000, with the largest populations in Tanzania and Kenya.
Where to see them: Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania), Kruger (South Africa)
Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)
Big Five
The world's largest land animal, African elephants live in matriarchal herds led by the oldest female. They are highly intelligent, emotional creatures with lifespans comparable to humans.
Where to see them: Amboseli (Kenya), Chobe (Botswana), Addo (South Africa)
Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)
Big Five
The most elusive of the Big Five, leopards are solitary and largely nocturnal. They are powerful climbers and often cache their kills high in trees to keep them away from lions and hyenas.
Where to see them: Sabi Sand (South Africa), South Luangwa (Zambia), Masai Mara (Kenya)
Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)
Big Five
The white rhino is the largest of the five rhino species and the second largest land mammal. Despite their size, they can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h when threatened.
Where to see them: Kruger (South Africa), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (South Africa), Lewa (Kenya)
Status: Near Threatened (IUCN)
Big Five
Often considered the most dangerous of the Big Five, Cape buffalo are powerful herd animals with unpredictable temperaments. Old solitary males — known as "dagga boys" — are particularly notorious.
Where to see them: Kruger (South Africa), Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda), Serengeti (Tanzania)
Status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Africa's extraordinary wildlife extends far beyond the Big Five.
| Animal | Type | Best Locations | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheetah | Big Cat | Masai Mara (Kenya), Serengeti (Tanzania) | Vulnerable |
| Giraffe | Ungulate | Samburu (Kenya), Kruger (South Africa) | Vulnerable |
| Plains Zebra | Ungulate | Masai Mara, Serengeti, Etosha | Least Concern |
| Hippo | Megafauna | Chobe (Botswana), Queen Elizabeth (Uganda) | Vulnerable |
| Nile Crocodile | Reptile | Mara River (Kenya), Murchison Falls (Uganda) | Least Concern |
| Wild Dog | Carnivore | Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania | Endangered |
| Hyena | Carnivore | Across all major parks | Least Concern |
| Mountain Gorilla | Primate | Bwindi (Uganda), Virunga (Rwanda) | Endangered |
| Chimpanzee | Primate | Kibale (Uganda), Mahale (Tanzania) | Endangered |
| African Fish Eagle | Bird | Okavango (Botswana), Lake Victoria (Kenya/Uganda) | Least Concern |
| Lilac-Breasted Roller | Bird | Across East and Southern Africa | Least Concern |
| Flamingo | Bird | Lake Nakuru (Kenya), Lake Bogoria | Near Threatened |
Primates
With fewer than 1,100 individuals remaining in the wild, spending one permitted hour with a habituated gorilla family in Uganda's Bwindi Forest is among the most profound wildlife experiences anywhere on Earth.
Ungulates
The world's tallest animal, the giraffe is an iconic sight on the African savanna. Several subspecies exist across the continent, with the reticulated giraffe found in northern Kenya particularly striking in appearance.
Birdlife
Africa is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 2,000 species. From the massed pink ranks of flamingos at Kenya's Lake Nakuru to the magnificent fish eagle, birds offer an endlessly rewarding dimension to any safari.