The giraffe is the tallest terrestrial animal in the world and is characterized by their long legs and necks, as well as beautiful patterned fur. This is an animals that’s native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, like the Kalahari Desert. There are total 5 different spices of baboons in Africa, and in South Africa you can see the chacma baboons in the wild. It’s just that you have to be lucky to see several of them in one single day. On land, it’s the fastest animal in the world and can reach speeds up to 112 km/h (70 mph). We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Tours, Zambia It’s one of the big five animals in South Africa that people want to see during safaris. There are over 1,100 species of mammals and 2,600 species of birds in Africa.A number of these species are now at risk of extinction, primarily due to human activities such as poaching and habitat loss. The African penguins are found on Western Cape and Eastern Cape where they have their colonies. The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal, weighing 6 tons and ranging from 19 to 24 feet, World Wildlife Fund reports. Pickergill’s Reedfrog. Despite its short legs, the Hippopotamus can run 30 km/h (19 mph) in short distances. Wildlife & animals in South Africa: Lion: Common, Leopard: Occasional, Cheetah: Occasional, Elephant: Abundant, Giraffe: Abundant, White Rhino: Common, Black Rhino: Rare. Safaris, Tanzania The white rhino is known for its borad lip and to be more friendly, and the black rhino to be more aggressive. Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa. IUCN Red List status: Critically endangered. They cannot see very well, but have good smell. This is a list of the mammal species recorded in South Africa.There are 299 mammal species in South Africa, of which two are critically endangered, eleven are endangered, fifteen are vulnerable, and thirteen are near threatened.Two of the species listed for South Africa are considered to be extinct. What African animals do you know? Instead of black rhinos, the reserves usually feature white rhinos. In South Africa there are two species of Rhinoceros, the black Rhinoceros and the white Rhinoceros. A total of 23,420 species of vascular plant has been recorded in South Africa, making it the sixth most species-rich country in the world and the most species-rich country on the African continent. When it comes to listing amazing animals in South Africa it’s tempting to think that the country is only about its Big Five animals (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant). The African buffalo, also known as Cape buffalo is an animal that lives in dense forests and open plains in South Africa – usually near a water source. The animal park reopened on 04 May as Germany begins to loosen certain lockdown measures. They spend their lives gathering the feces of other safari animals and rolling them into great balls that can exceed their own body weight by up to 10 times. Safaris, Swaziland Males are larger than the females, and the males also have the iconic horns and large manes that run down along their throats. Vervet monkeys are native to Africa and is a species of Old World Monkeys. Cape Mountain zebra is endemic to South Africa and can be seen in Mountain Zebra National Park. Among all the animals in South Africa, this is one of the most famous. Cookie settings. They are about 10-30 cm (3.9-11.8 in) long and weight between 50-500 g (1.8-17.6 oz). The end of the Dry season (August-September) is especially rewarding as water is scarce and animals can be found near waterholes. South Africa is home to approximately 175 endemic bird species, as well as hundreds more species. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When going on safari, you’ll most likely see some of these animals in South Africa. Pickergill’s Reed Frog – critically endangered. The aardwolf enjoys wide, open, dry spaces among savanna and grassland. Firstly, there are the ‘ Big Five ’: elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and the rhino. You may not get the same sense of wilderness or true bush feel of a safari elsewhere in Africa but if you want more of a mix of safari and other experiences on your trip, plus very high likelhood of a leopard sighting then South Africa would be the number one option. In addition to that, I’ve also listed some other common animals from Africa that you might encounter. Churchill’s travels took him through much of present-day South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Hippopotamus is one of the biggest animals in South Africa and are known to be one of the most dangerous animals on earth. SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for African safari tours. Here are 12 awesome animals you have to see on your South African vacation. The country has a well-developed poultry and egg industry as well as value-added activities such as humane slaughtering, processing and preserving of meat. Heather is a British travel / conservation journalist, and has written for publications and broadcasters such as the BBC, Departures, the Telegraph and the Sunday Times. Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines. In this article, you can read about 25 interesting animals in Africa that I think you should know about before you travel there. African dung beetles are amazing creatures. Copyright © 2020 SafariBookings. South Africa The Kruger National Park and in particular the Sabi Sands concession is famous for its prolific leopard population. The country is also home to some of the lesser known animals like the tsessebe and suni. It’s all about if you’re at the right place at the right time, which is something the safari guides are quite good at. They’ve got it’s name ”laughing hyena” from the sound they make when communicating. In South Africa you can spot these majestic animals in the Kruger National Park. All main safari animals are easily seen. Entertainment Game Of Thrones Prequel House Of The Dragon Begins Production Next Year. To recover his health and restore his finances, in 1891 he made a long visit to South Africa, where he hunted, made investments in gold mines, and met with the Dutch (i.e., Afrikaner) and British residents of what was then the British Cape Colony. Here’s a list of 21 South African animals that you can see in the wild: The lion is one of the big five in Africa and is a wild cat that lives in prides led by a male lion. List of African Animals: Introduction. It’s the smallest of the dukier species and only reaches 32-41 cm (13-16 in) at the shoulder and weights around 3.5-9 kg (7.7-19.8 lb). Africa is the world’s second largest continent (Asia is the largest). The main animal welfare legislations in South Africa are the Animal Protection Act No. Their trunks are so powerful that they can pull down trees to get to the juicy roots. They’re characterized by their long curvy horns that they use to fight predators or to show dominance in herds. 71 of 1962, which prohibits animal cruelty on all domestic and wild animals in captivity or under the control of humans; and the Performing Animals Act 1935, amended in 2016, which requires establishments training animals for exhibitions or performance, or training guard dogs, to be licensed. Philip is the author of the Bradt and Insight guides to South Africa. The Elephant shrew is a small mammal that’s native to Africa. South Africa is one of the leading tourist destinations with the most diverse animal species. There is something about taking pictures of baby animals that I cannot put my finger on. Notable endemic varieties include the Black Oystercatcher, Blue Crane, Cape Parrot, Cape Vulture, Forest Canary, Ground Woodpecker, Jackal Buzzard, Knysna Turaco, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Protea Seedeater, Southern Bald Ibis, Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Whitebacked Mousebird, and the Yellow-breasted Pipit. … This means that they are to be found in the northern part of South Africa. These monkeys are recognized by their light grey-colored fur and black face. In addition to their small size and cute looks, these animals are also recognized by their large pointy ears and small sharp horns the males grow. A fun fact is that it’s said that these tiny animals are more related to elephants than shrews. African buffalos live in large herds up to thousands of members. Do you have any other questions about the wild animals in South Africa? Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia. More About Us. They will also do anything to protect the young meerkats, even if it means risking their own life. These animals are active during the day and mainly feed on fallen fruits, foliage, flowers, and pieces of bark that’s found in the forest canopies, which is their habitat. Want to know more about the animals in South Africa? $3,145 Kruger National Park hosts some of the known mammals like elephants, buffalos, rhinos, and cats. So here are the 10 most dangerous animals in Africa – not, of course, including the most dangerous creature on earth – man himself. Just as famous wild animals in South Africa Just as loved, though perhaps not as front page worthy, are the cheetah, hippo, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, wild dogs, jackals, spotted hyena, and mongoose (to name but a few). A great white shark can smell blood from 5 km (3 miles) away. A number of large mammal species are endemic to South Africa. The white rhino is known for its borad lip and to be more friendly, and the black rhino to be more aggressive. The “big five” animals are quite common to see, and so are the African penguins, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, and baboons etc. The game reserves are some of the best ones across the world. They cannot see very well, but have good smell. Tours, Namibia The big five animals in South Africa are elephants, cape buffalo, rhinos, lions, and leopards. 12 adorable baby animals in South Africa. South Africa can be visited any time of the year, but wildlife viewing is best in the Dry season (May-September). They are recognized by their bulky hairless bodies, barrel-shaped torsos, wide open mouths, and large canine tusks. The rare black wildebeest, another endemic to the country, thrives in the Karoo reserves, and some dry-country specials can be seen in the Kalahari habitat. The name comes from their long noses that looks like the trunk of an elephant. These strong and massive animals are one of the “big five” animals in South Africa. Livestock farming in South Africa is a large part of the country's agricultural sector and includes the production of cattle, dairy, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and ostrich. These beautiful animals are today endangered due to hunting of their horns. Once selected, they can chase their prey for a long distance – usually several kilometers where they run at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph). On safari in South Africa you can see many of these animals mentioned above. They are shy small animals with a reddish sandy-colored fur flecked in white. Blue wildebeest, African buffalo, gemsbok, giraffe, and zebras are some of their favorite meals. As a part of embracing the creatures, ensuring that animals are not extinct is one of the ways. From big cats to charismatic penguins, majestic elephants and speedy cheetahs, South Africa is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Lions, rhinos and cheetahs are among the wild species at risk of irreversible “genetic pollution” from breeding experiments, scientists have warned. African animals list with pictures and facts. These animals hunt together and run into herds to select their prey. Tours, South Africa Private tourMid-rangeLodge & Guest House, You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Cape Town (City), Cape Town Airport (End). The aardvark is a one of the most funny-looking animals in South Africa and roams over two-thirds of the southern part of the continent. Like most other chameleon, they use its tongue to catch their prey. They are known to approach people, so make sure to be careful and do not feed them or touch them. With habitats ranging from tropical rainforest to desert, Africa is home to many of the world’s best-known animals. The African elephant is one of the biggest mammals on land and can weight up to 6.5 tons. These are the Large and the Pygmy hippo. They have slender bodies with a yellowish tan-colored fur with black spots and a white belly. safaris and tours, Botswana pp (USD), South Africa: Their legs are both white and black, and they’re also recognized by their long horns that are around 85 cm (33 in) long. Sometimes when people go on safari they only see a few, and sometimes they get to see a big variety of South African animals. Photo by Nobby Clarke. Leave a comment below! The term ‘Big Five’ is used to describe the power and strength of the animals. Tours, Malawi Chosen for You Chosen for You. Of these, 153 species are considered to be threatened. South African reserves have the big acts like lions and cheetahs and also the other huge animals like buffaloes, rhinos and elephants. A gemsbok have a light brownish-grey colored coat with a black stripe from the chin down to the lower part of their necks. Another interesting fact about the meerkat is that they babysit the young in the group. In Sabi Sand, the main focus is on seeing the Big Five and it is famous for its habituated leopards. This animal is also known under the name suricate and is a small mammal in the mongoose family. Its preferred habitat is swamps, lakes, and rivers, where they may remain submerged for up to 16 hours, according to National Geographic. Zebra are several species of African equids and are recognized by their black and white striped coat. Private tourLuxury+Lodge, You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kapama GR (Greater Kruger), Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger), Johannesburg (End), $2,206 Topics: south africa, Animals. Baboons are strong and have very sharp teeth that can potentially hurt you. The beetles roll their balls in a straight line, despite any obstacles that may stand in their way. Lions are the primary target of this kind of hunting. Have you ever heard the term “canned hunting?” Basically, it’s when docile animals who are accustomed to humans are released into larger enclosures and then “hunted” by people for huge sums of money. There is not another continent that has a diverse animal kingdom and different types of birds like Africa. to $3,796 pp (USD), South Africa: Wildlife The Big 5 African Animals Don’t forget, that even if a South African safari is advertised as a Big 5, the chances of seeing all five species (lions, elephants, leopards, water buffalos, and black rhinos) are pretty slim. I am a 22 year old South African field guide/wildlife photographer. South Africa is a prime wildlife destination. Awesome Native Animals You Must See In South Africa. It’s easy to overlook an animal that is only 3cm long, but once you know of its existence, it’s hard not to care about its future. The stripes of a zebra are unique to each individual, so their coats never look the same. Female meerkats that haven’t got any babies on their own often take care and feed the alpha pair’s babies. This is one of the “big five” animals in South Africa. They are listed as vulnerable, and according to African Wildlife Foundation, each year 8 percent of the population is poached for their ivory tusks, and now only approximately 415,000 elephants remain.. Safaris, Uganda Zebras live in large herds and feed mainly on grass. The term was coined last century as these five animals were the most difficult to be hunted on foot. By continuing to browse through this website you agree to our use of cookies. The aardwolf is native to South Africa and throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. Private tourLuxuryLodge, You Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger), Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End), $2,945 News 19 … This is another animal in South Africa that’s endemic to this part of the continent. All Rights Reserved. They can grow around 112-150 cm (44-59 in) in body length, 79-90 cm (28-35 in) at the shoulder, and weight around 21-72 kg (46-159 lb). Tours, Kenya The cheetah is a wild cat that lives in South-, East-, and North Africa. These are large animals has gotten its name from Ancient Greek for ”river horse”. Safaris, Zimbabwe Cape Buffalo The Cape Buffalo is a safe bet for number ten. Wildlife The blue duiker is another antelope that lives in South Africa. This is a species of antelope that are commonly found in the woodlands in Eastern and Southern Africa. 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