What animals can you see on safari in Africa?

What animals will I see on an African safari?

Africa is home to a vast array of wildlife, including the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Most travellers are excited to see the Big Five and other wildlife, such as giraffes, zebras, predators, antelope, primates, birds and reptiles when on safari.

If you hope to see specific animals on your African safari, it is best to travel with expert guides who will give you the best chance of spotting them. Our safari experts can help you plan your safari to visit the best destinations for finding your desired wildlife and ensure you are in the best hands when you reach your destination.  

Many animals prefer specific habitats - the animals you find in East Africa’s savanna will differ from those in Africa’s rainforests, for example. The wildlife you will encounter on safari depends on where you are travelling.

Animals found in the African savanna

In Africa’s savanna habitats, such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and Kruger National Park, you will find the Big Five – lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos – and other savanna wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, warthogs, wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, baboons, monkeys, hippos, hyenas and a wide variety of antelope such as eland, impala, kudu and bushbuck. Smaller and less conspicuous wildlife, such as porcupines, snakes, aardvarks, bush babies, meerkats, mongooses, chameleons, tortoises, pangolins, and bat-eared foxes, are also a delight to see while on your African safari. There is also a vast array of birds in savanna habitats, from raptors to songbirds, waders and ground birds.

Animals in Africa's rainforests

The wildlife you will encounter on safari in African rainforests, such as in the Congo Basin, Madagascar,  West Africa, Uganda and Rwanda, may overlap with some savanna wildlife. Still, rainforests offer incredibly diverse ecosystems that support a wide variety of life. Primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and lemurs can be found in various African rainforests (check out our gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safaris). Over 200 types of primates are found in Africa – many of these are present in rainforests. There are also other extraordinary animals in Africa’s rainforests, such as forest elephants, many magnificent reptiles, a variety of wild pig species and specialised antelope such as bongos. Birding in Africa’s rainforests is also exceptional, with many species found only there.

Animals in Africa's deserts

In Africa’s deserts, many specialised species have adapted to cope with the harsh conditions (extreme heat and cold) - such as the specialised chameleons and snakes of the Namib Desert, Sahara Desert and the Karoo. Various predators (such as lions, leopards, jackals and foxes), unique antelope, and specialised birds can also be found in some of Africa's deserts.

Animals in Africa's wetlands

Africa’s wetlands host fascinating bird species (such as shoebill) and animals adapted to aquatic or semi-aquatic environments. Elephants, hippos, otters, red lechwes sitatunga, waterbuck, and Nile crocodiles can be seen on safaris to wetlands (our safari experts can advise on the specific destinations to find these).

The animals of Africa's mountains

If you are heading to Africa’s mountainous areas for your next African safari, you will also find various notable species – depending on where you travel. The Ethiopian Highlands are home to unique animals such as Ethiopian wolves, gelada baboons, and walia ibex. The mountains of East Africa, such as in Virunga, Volcanoes, Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, are home to mountain gorillas, and these can be found on a gorilla-trekking safari.

Africa's marine and coastal animals

On your travels through Africa, you can also see a wide range of marine and coastal animals, such as African penguins, dugongs, manta rays, seals, turtles, various shark, whale, and dolphin species, coastal birds, and more.

If you hope to see any specific animals on your African safari, our experts will help you find the right spot and provide expert guides.

Check out these helpful links to find your ideal safari:

Big Five: Check out our BIG 5 safaris here

Game drives: For safaris offering epic GAME DRIVES, click here

Great Migration: To see wildebeests during the GREAT MIGRATION, click here

Bird-watching: For BIRDING safaris, click here

Chimpanzees: For CHIMPANZEE-TREKKING safaris, click here

Gorillas: For GORILLA-TREKKING safaris, click here

Coastal/beach: For BEACH safaris, click here:

Or, let us help you plan your safari