Certainly one of Africa’s biggest drawcards is by far the exceptional wildlife, best viewed on a traditional safari holiday. You’ll have the opportunity to get up close with some of the rarest animals on the planet. Here are a few of these exceptional species that you’re likely to encounter on safari:
- Lion
The lion is called the king of the savannah for a reason. This apex predator is often found lazing in the shade of trees during the hottest part of the day. The males of the species feature the iconic mane, and are usually the leader of the pride. The female lions, however, will do the bulk of the hunting of their main prey, which includes gazelles, water buffalo, or zebras. It is the female lions that also handle the rearing of the cubs.
- Elephant
These placid pachyderms are famous for their large flapping ears, magnificently curved tusks, and of course, their long trunks. There are two main species of elephants, namely the African and Asian elephants. The African elephant is larger in size and has bigger ears than its Asian counterpart. African elephants also have comparatively longer tusks. A herd of elephants is exclusively made up of adult females and their offspring, with the males choosing to lead a more solitary existence.
- Rhinoceros
These large animals can grow up to eleven feet in length and have a height of at least five to six feet. An adult rhino can easily weigh as much as two tonnes. All of that bulk is further enhanced with a horn, or a pair in some species, protruding from the snout of the animal. It is this horn that has made this majestic beast one of the most endangered species on the planet as a result of the misguided belief that these horns possess healing properties. The ivory of these horns is also highly prized, which leads to the poaching of all rhino species.
- Giraffe
A giraffe can stand at seventeen to eighteen feet, and most of that is due to their long necks, which can be six feet in height. Their long necks allow them to graze for leaves at the very tops of tall trees where few other grazers can reach. Giraffes also have extremely long legs too with a leg easily reaching six feet in height as well. These incredibly long legs allow giraffes to run at over thirty miles per hour.
- Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic animal that you should be wary of. You may not think that a pudgy hippo is no danger, but you would be wrong. Hippos are actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Statistically speaking, these animals kill more people than crocodiles in a single year.
These animals are just some of the amazing species that you can see up close when you go on an African Safari Tour. You really should try out a tour at least once in your life to behold these rare and beautiful creatures.
